Cops drive on with Skoda
Police have selected Czech manufacturer Skoda to supply their new patrol cars as the Holden brand drives off into the sunset.
New Zealand Police yesterday announced it had selected the Skoda Superb as the new frontline police car.
The police union said while the Czech brand might come as a surprise after decades of Holdens and Fords from across the ditch, it was confident management had made the right call.
The move comes after General Motors announced the end of the Holden brand and police were forced to hunt for a new preferred vehicle supplier.
They went to the industry with a request for proposals in July and the tender closed on August 21.
Police commissioner Andy Coster cited the reduced environmental impact of the Czech cars as one reason they were chosen.
Police expect to deploy the first batch of Skodas in April, 2021.