BMW 5 series chosen to replace Victoria's Aussie HWP fleet

[Brazen]

First lot of 80 to arrive in 2018


https://behindthewheel.com.au/victor...-bmw-5-series/

Victoria Police will be adding 80 BMW 5 Series sedans to the operation’s Highway Patrol unit.

Could this be a sign of things to come? With the Holden Commodore soon going to a fully-imported model, police from across the country have been discussing the best possible replacement for their current fleets.

And it could just be that German cars fit the bill.

BMW has also enjoyed filling the void left by the demise of the Statesman as the Prime Minister’s official car, now comes this 80 car order in Victoria for highway patrol duties.

The deal sees BMW supply the 530d sedans through 2018.

In announcing the supply deal this evening, BMW Australia said Victoria Police selected the diesel-powered model to ensure maximum cost effectiveness.

It will be presented to Victoria Police in an entry-level specification, eschewing some of the higher-end luxuries found on the regular production model in favour of a factory-fitted ‘police pack’ which prepares the vehicle for heavy-duty operations.
While BMW also pointed out that BMW police vehicles are common in Europe.

“Lauded by media and customers alike for its combination of performance, safety and efficiency, the new BMW 5 Series range is a natural fit for police duty.” – BMW Australia CEO Marc Werner.

[M&Ms]

BMW Australia said Victoria Police selected the diesel-powered model to ensure maximum cost effectiveness

And maximum profits when it comes time to service the buggers....

[SSVPom]

Spotted a new E Series Merc in town this week, all kitted out in VicPol HWP gear.
Probably taking part in the evaluation process.

[Brazen]

Yeah losing the local car industry certainly sounds like it could be expensive for the nations police forces!

[FalconXV]

Will our tax dollars be going for LCT? Would be good if there was an LCT- free 'stripper' version available to consumers who ask, like the secret menu at McDonalds.

[asagaai]

Originally Posted by Brazen

Yeah losing the local car industry certainly sounds like it could be expensive for the nations taxpayers !

Fixed

[FalconXV]

Originally Posted by Brazen

Yeah losing the local car industry certainly sounds like it could be expensive for the nations police forces!

Yep current gov sending taxpayer dollars hand over fist to Deutschland. Even when there was a local alternative.

https://www.goauto.com.au/news/gener...-05/21152.html

https://www.goauto.com.au/news/holde...-14/65654.html

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by FalconXV

Yep current gov sending taxpayer dollars hand over fist to Deutschland. Even when there was a local alternative.

https://www.goauto.com.au/news/gener...-05/21152.html

https://www.goauto.com.au/news/holde...-14/65654.html

Happened around the same time as this too:

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/new...db136daf421c4c

Funny that

[Syndrome]

Originally Posted by M&Ms

And maximum profits when it comes time to service the buggers....

The BMWs will cost more than a locally made Falcon or Holden and that is including government subsidies like ACIS etc. included in the vehicle costs.

[lra]

So used ex-cop BMWs at the auctions will become the bogans chariot, instead of the current choice of Commodore ?

[ebv8]

didn't even wait for the last commodore to be built before they booted them

i had to buy a part from Holden the other day and the place was full of new commodores for sale, i was thinking they are stocking up, as sales after October will still be strong and probably until early 2018 when the stock runs out, i wouldn't be surprised if the VF outsells the ZB until stocks dry up.

[Sioso]

If they use 530d's as unmarked cop cars it should make them easier to spot compared to Commodores and Falcons - Well at least until second hand 530d's start flooding the second hand market.
I'd love to know what the government are paying for these, $135K is retail on Carsales.....

[GASWAGON]

The Beemers must be damn fast even though they're Diesel's for HWP???

And DAMN expensive!!!

[Syndrome]

Originally Posted by CoolBFWagon

The Beemers must be damn fast even though they're Diesel's for HWP???

And DAMN expensive!!!

Anything German is eye-watering expensive to run.

[malazn mafia]

So no Kia Stinkers for VicPol, guess they couldn't lower their image further by being seen in Kia's. Pursuits would go up by 300%.

[Polyal]

Are we all assuming no servicing/parts deal was done with BMW? If EU nations use them like commies/falcons there then in time we wont be much different other than the exchange rate.

A Tdi has enough grunt and then some for what they require.

Ive never understood the fascination that people have with police cars, their history, buying "chasers".

[Ford17]

Making some more news in the Daily Mail - not that much more information, but putting the price issue out there:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/arti...trol-cars.html

[RHR]

I think you'll find the BMW Aus and Vic pol more than likely have an agreement in regards to costing etc. Being diesel vs ULP I would imagine that they'll save a fair bit just with fuel.

I wouldn't imagine they'd go for BMW's if it wasn't financially viable.

[Dauphin]

It's good advertising for BMW too, will surely change a few minds about such vehicles.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by Syndrome

Anything German is eye-watering expensive to run.

Is that experience talking ?

[Silver Ghia]

Originally Posted by M&Ms

And maximum profits when it comes time to service the buggers....

VicPol would service their vehicles at their own service centres.

[GO FURTHER]

Originally Posted by CoolBFWagon

The Beemers must be damn fast even though they're Diesel's for HWP???

BMW claims the 530d (V6 Turbo diesel) will do 0-100km/h in 5.7 seconds.

Not as fast as an FG XR6T or SS Commodore, but no slouch either in real world conditions

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by GO FURTHER

BMW claims the 530d (V6 Turbo diesel) will do 0-100km/h in 5.7 seconds.

Not as fast as an FG XR6T or SS Commodore, but no slouch either in real world conditions

V6! As a XR6T owner you should know better

In gear with that torque would be just as quick as the local stuff...plus they are meant to pull out of pursuits most of the time anyway

[Bossxr8]

These will be more than double the cost of Falcons and Commodores. Maybe nearly 3 times more expensive.

How can they justify the cost? Especially when the resale values on used euro sedans can be bloody horrific.

[ebv8]

a tax free SS Commodore would have to be $40k?? maybe
a base 530D is $67k in Germany, I would assume they struck a deal but after imports they would still be $70k in aus (maybe even $80k) so double the cost of the core car

Kia would have been $35k min. if they didn't pay any tax on it

[uniacidz]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

These will be more than double the cost of Falcons and Commodores. Maybe nearly 3 times more expensive.

How can they justify the cost? Especially when the resale values on used euro sedans can be bloody horrific.

From my understanding, the vehicles are exempt from the Luxury Car Tax, so prices come down

And can prob negotiate prices better being a large order like any deal

We shouldn't be looking at retail prices




Sent from my ASUS_Z00AD [MM .352]

[SumoDog68]

Originally Posted by Sioso

If they use 530d's as unmarked cop cars it should make them easier to spot compared to Commodores and Falcons - Well at least until second hand 530d's start flooding the second hand market.
I'd love to know what the government are paying for these, $135K is retail on Carsales.....

They would probably lease them with servicing agreement included . Cars are police spec model (stripped of of all luxury additions) , so the cost would be very different to local RRP.

[stock1991]

Originally Posted by SumoDog68

They would probably lease them with servicing agreement included . Cars are police spec model (stripped of of all luxury additions) , so the cost would be very different to local RRP.

be interesting to see the resale and if it devalues their used car market. it is a different scenario to locally manufactured vehicles

[SumoDog68]

Originally Posted by stock1991

be interesting to see the resale and if it devalues their used car market. it is a different scenario to locally manufactured vehicles

Unlike taxi use (which was also a bit unfair) highway patrol use could possibly add to reputation of a car in question. If it is good for day in day out work use (and they drive them pretty hard) it cant be a bad car.
530d is in use in UK police already so BMW would have plenty of experience with whats needed to run them efficiently.

[Express]

Victoria Police reveal new highway patrol cars


BMW scores vital new police contract





Drive
Dom Tripolone
20 September, 2017


Mad Max has finally got a fuel efficient Interceptor with Victoria's highway patrol confirming a deal to run BMWs from next year as the local automotive manufacturing industry comes to an end.

The BMW 530d has been chosen to be the operational vehicle from 2018, seeing the highway patrol force ditch V8-powered Commodores and turbo six-powered Falcons in favour of a six-cylinder diesel unit.

Victoria Police has committed to buying up to 80 examples of the Bavarian carmaker's luxury sedan.

A regular BMW 530d is priced from $119,900 before on-road costs.

However, it has been made clear that the vehicles will be of base-specification and will do away with higher-end luxuries with a factory-fitted 'Police Pack'.






Road Policing Command Assistant Commissioner Doug Fryer said that the BMW was the best fit both commercially and for operational purposes.

“BMW has come to the party and worked with us on making sure their cars are as fit for purpose as possible,” said Fryer.

“They are the only company to date that has been able to provide a factory fitted ‘police pack’ making the commercial agreement an extremely attractive value for money decision.

“The BMW 530d meets our safety and performance standards as it has been subjected to the evaluation tests that underpin our vehicle safety classification system."

BMW's police-spec 5-Series is used extensively throughout Europe.

The first of the BMW 530d highway patrol vehicles will begin service from early 2018, with the rest of the 80-strong fleet in use by the end of the same year.

Speculation has been rife with what vehicle would replace Australian-made police cars once local production ends, while Victoria Police has now shown its hand in regards to highway patrol it has yet to reveal what general duties vehicle it may use.

NSW Police Force recently added a small fleet of Volvo XC60s and Toyota LandCruisers on a trial basis for general duties.

.

http://www.drive.com.au/motor-news/d...tor-65239.html


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