That times are changing is indeed evident if one looks at the vehicles that the policemen in Britain are using. It was the Morris Minor or Ford Anglias of the 1950 to 1960 which carried the British policeman in his customary helmet. In the 70’s one saw the policeman now sporting a moustache and riding a Ford Consuls or Rover 3500. The 80’s saw the inclusion of women in the police force and the car now being driven are the rover SD1 and Land Rovers.
Then something occurred that had never happened before. The British police started using Mitsubishi’s instead of any British make cars. Rover, which was a pure British make car also started rebadging Honda’s and the Germans started to buy out all the British make cars.
The National Association of Police Fleet Managers has also awarded the status of ‘preferred supplier’ to Hyundai this year. This permits the police force of UK to purchase Hyundai make vehicles in all their future requirements.
This means Hyundai gets a big boost in sakes as well as in publicity. 2000 units of their cars now make it to the police force in the UK just for the London Metropolitan Police department every year and there are a further 7,800 that they supply for other police departments outside the city.
Tony Whitehorn who is the Managing Director of Hyundai said “Anyone buying a car needs to make sure that they are getting the best possible package for their money. That’s especially true when you are buying thousands of vehicles and spending taxpayers’ money! The quality, reliability, resale value and performance of Hyundai vehicles have shone through and they’ve been given the green light to carry a blue light.”
The most popular makes or models that are expected to make their presence in the police force are the i20, i30, ix35, Santa Fe and iLoad van. Would indeed be a sight to watch a police in the i20.
In the police livery as of now there is the ix35 or the Tuscon. The Land rover however far surpasses the ix35 by looks. There is expected to be high integration of modern equipment in these cars and that would sure be a stealer.
Source: carscoop
