BMW has been approved as a supplier for police vehicles by the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA). The four-year deal places the company as one of three manufacturers providing high-performance vehicles to UK forces.
Among the cars supplied are 3.0-litre diesel versions of the 3 and 5 Series and certain X1, X3 and X5 models. The 3 Series is expected to attract strong interest as a high-performance pursuit and interceptor vehicle.
One of the factors cited by the BMW for its preferred supplier status is that certain equipment required by the emergency services can be incorporated on the production line. This reduces the need for third party suppliers to disassemble cars to fit lights, radios and any other features. As a result it takes less time for cars to be put into service and there should be cost savings.
Around 5,600 vehicles are purchased each year by the 52 UK police forces, with a budget of £83 million. The deal is part of a plan by NPIA to save £3.4 million per year on cars and motor bikes.
John Lambert - 28 Oct 2010