DETROIT -- Ford Motor Co. said Friday it plans to sell a new police cruiser vehicle to replace its Crown Victoria "Police Interceptor" once the sedan is phased out of production in 2011.

The automaker said the new vehicle will be more fuel efficient and offer lower ownership costs to municipalities than the existing Crown Victoria law enforcement vehicle.

The Crown Victoria police cruiser, badged the "Police Interceptor," has long been a staple at police departments around the country, favored for its durability. Ford sells about 45,000 police vehicles a year, or about 75 percent of all police vehicles sold in the U.S., the company said.

However, Ford announced earlier this year it would discontinue production of the Crown Victoria in late 2011. The large sedan is built at the company's St. Thomas Assembly plant near London, Ontario.

Ford said it is working with its police advisory board to help develop the new vehicle. The new interceptor will be offered without interruption when the Crown Victoria is discontinued.

The company plans to unveil full specifications of the new police vehicle in the first quarter next year.