Police vehicle fleet to be updated with Hyundai Sonatas

Hyundai Sonatas with blue and white checks will soon hit the state’s roads as part of a plan to update the Queensland Police Service’s vehicle fleet as Australia’s car manufacturing industry winds up.

Police Minister Bill Byrne said the QPS had been trialling a range of different vehicle makes and models to ensure the Service’s fleet continues to support its operational needs.

“The Fleet Management Group has also been considering significant financial, commercial and environmental factors,” Minister Byrne said.

“As a result, the QPS has now approved the Hyundai Sonata four cylinder vehicle as a replacement for the current fleet of six cylinder vehicles.

“This approach will help to reduce the carbon footprint of the Queensland Police Service as the new vehicles are more fuel-efficient and have lower greenhouse gas emissions.

“The roll out will begin this financial year and is estimated to save the QPS around $2.3 million as 234 vehicles are replaced with Sonatas.

Road Policing Command Assistant Commissioner Mike Keating said the QPS would still utilise some higher-powered vehicles as required.

“The PSBA Fleet Assets Service Group in collaboration with the QPS has identified the Hyundai Sonata turbo model as a potential replacement for our existing higher performance vehicles,” Assistant Commissioner Keating said.

“A number of these vehicles outfitted to QPS specifications will be received shortly – and they will then undergo an evaluation to determine their suitability.

“The Queensland Police Service will continue to ensure police vehicles are fit for purpose and support the needs of operational policing into the future.”

The Queensland Police Service has over 2,500 vehicles including marked, unmarked, covert and purpose-built tactical response vehicles.

The Palaszczuk Government has committed nearly $32 million in 2016/17 for new and replacement police vehicles.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

The Hyundai Sonata is a 4 cylinder, 4 door sedan which is available in both gasoline direct injection (GDI) and turbo variants which meets the Australia and New Zealand Policing Advisory Agency specification as “fit-for-purpose” for both general and higher performance duties.

In addition, the Sonata:

• Was recommended by PSBA Fleet Assets and endorsed by the QPS Fleet Governance Group following the application of the endorsed Vehicle Selection Framework which is an 8 stage framework with pre-determined stages for evaluation;
• Use up to 3,800 fewer litres of fuel over the life of the vehicle (around 80,000 kilometres) compared to the current six cylinder general duties vehicles which means lower operating cost and fewer carbon emissions; and
• Comes with a five year capped 150,000 kilometre warranty which exceeds any other current in-service vehicle warranty – this means a greater potential for positive resale at the end of the vehicle’s life and better value for taxpayers.

Media contacts:

Minister Byrne’s Office:                      0478 325 738

Police Media:                                      3015 2444