New Garda Cars... Toyota??????

Michael Angelo.

02/11/2010
Toyota to Supply Gardaí Fleet
Toyota Ireland today has confirmed it has won the tender to supply a fleet of cars to the Garda Síochána over the next two years.

Toyota Ireland said it believed the Avensis’ quality, performance, durability and reliability were key factors in winning the contract. The company claimed the car's attributes were especially pertinent given the rigorous demands Garda cars are required to withstand on a day-to-day basis.

Other winning factors included the low cost of ownership and after-sales support from the dealer network.

Commenting on the announcement, David Shannon, Managing Director of Toyota Ireland said: “Toyota Ireland is proud to have been chosen as a key vehicle supplier for the Garda Síochána. When it comes to dependability, quality, performance and value Toyota leads the way, and the success in winning this contract is a testament to the confidence the Toyota brand inspires.”

The delivery of new vehicles will commence before the end of the year, 2010.

The Toyota Avensis is a large family car built in Derbyshire, United Kingdom. Gardaí will be supplied with the third generation Toyota Avensis (model code T270), which was revealed at the 2008 Paris Motor Show.

The new engines feature more power and lower CO2 emissions. The new Avensis received a five star rating under the latest Euro NCAP ratings scheme with an 81% overall score and a 90% score for adult occupant safety.

Also today, the Government has signed an agreement with Toyota to deliver its new Prius Plug-In Hybrid vehicle to the Irish market.

The vehicle, which is the first Toyota hybrid to use lithium-ion batteries, will be available on a trial basis in advance of its full launch to the market in 2012.

(DW/GK)

article link

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>http://www.build.ie/national_news.asp?newsid=118684

How was this kept so quiet???

Terrontress

It wasn't kept quiet. I read about it on Boards at least a week ago. I also have seen the picture of the marked 10 reg Avensis outside a Toyota garage.

Fabritzo

Cue pun about braking news...

While they're negotiating this kinda crap, they should have worked into the deal that toyota or whatever palce sticks the markings on the cars, have to put a cage in there, too.

Have never travelled in a patrol car, but it seems far too dangerous to have nothing between Gardaì and criminals.

drunkmonkey

Michael Angelo. wrote: »

Toyota Ireland said it believed the Avensis’ quality, performance,

I lol'd:)

Del2005

Do they not use vans for prisoner transport? Or is that only in the UK?

cushtac

Del2005 wrote: »

Do they not use vans for prisoner transport? Or is that only in the UK?

Vans aren't always available, a lot of the time the car is used for prisoners.

stimpson

drunkmonkey wrote: »

Toyota Ireland said it believed the Avensis’ quality, performance,

I lol'd:)

FYP

Michael Angelo.

Terrontress wrote: »

It wasn't kept quiet. I read about it on Boards at least a week ago. I also have seen the picture of the marked 10 reg Avensis outside a Toyota garage.

where did you read about the article and the official toyota line on boards, i'd like to read it..

Delancey

Lads , I know next to nothing about cars but I've heard the Avensis is a comfortable and reliable one. You seem shocked it was chosen as a Garda fleet car - why ? Sorry if I'm asking the bleeding obvious

stimpson

You have heard about the Toyota recalls haven't you?

And comfort should not be high on the list for Garda cars. Performance would be more important surely.

CharlieCroker

Handling is poor compared to the mondeo and reliability is surprisingly shoddy with gearboxes especially being known to pop

pa990

the petrol avensis is also very light, and doesn't feel comfortable when cornering, and the power steering is far to light
The mondeo feels a lot more stable in cornering at at speed

helimachoptor

Not a member, but have drove both high end versions of the mondeo and the avensis, mondeo is streets ahead in terms on (lay mans) view of performance.

pah

mondeo was recommended by the driving school i think but at the end of the day it came down to price :rolleyes:

pa990

helimachoptor wrote: »

Not a member, but have drove both high end versions of the mondeo and the avensis, mondeo is streets ahead in terms on (lay mans) view of performance.

wont be the high end version that we'll be getting

kjbsrah1

i've driven both and would agree that the mondeo is much easier to handle. i would say the only consideration when the gardaí made the decision on which supplier to go with, was the price. toyota obviously came in cheaper and thats all that matters to the powers that be!

Shield

Laugh if you want lads, but I'm very impressed with the Skoda Octavias we have...

shakin

psni wrote: »

Laugh if you want lads, but I'm very impressed with the Skoda Octavias we have...

Id pick an octavia over an avensis any day! big powerful solid and well built cars (octavia) and you have th evrs model which ive been told is an animal of a car.
Toyota are good cars but can they stand up to the abuse? and anyway the mondeos are much nicer looking car :P

Turner

stimpson wrote: »

You have heard about the Toyota recalls haven't you?

And comfort should not be high on the list for Garda cars. Performance would be more important surely.

Is where you work for 8 hours a shift comfortable and safe ??

If I am out there spending 8 hours in a Garda car surely i should be entitled to some bit of safety and comfort.

Gone are the days of Garda management removing headrests and heater matrix's to keep the occupants awake!!!

Chief---

Chief--- wrote: »

Gone are the days of Garda management removing headrests and heater matrix's to keep the occupants awake!!!

Did they do that before?! :eek:

Scabby bastards. :mad:

Delancey

Thanks to all for the answers - like I said I'm not a petrol head and thus know zip about cars - must admit I had forgotten about the Toyota Recall :rolleyes:

Terrontress

Michael Angelo. wrote: »

where did you read about the article and the official toyota line on boards, i'd like to read it..

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=68782295&postcount=65

stimpson

Chief--- wrote: »

Is where you work for 8 hours a shift comfortable and safe ??

If I am out there spending 8 hours in a Garda car surely i should be entitled to some bit of safety and comfort.

Gone are the days of Garda management removing headrests and heater matrix's to keep the occupants awake!!!

God forbid you'd fall asleep. You might miss the view

http://streetviewireland.tumblr.com/post/1238573806/boys-in-blue-taking-a-break

Terrontress

It may be more suited to the Conspiracy Theory board but I reckon a large part of the Toyota recall was due to the American government attempting to put a bit of life back into the ailing big 3 car manufacturers there.

I would not let the Toyota recall alter my opinions on Toyota vehicles at all.

I am not sure though whether that makes them good cars. I presume that this contract will cover Yaris, Auris, Avensis, Camry, Land Cruiser, Hiace, Hi Lux and any other vehicle required? In that case Toyota could be a sensible enough choice.

Delancey

Anyone know if the Opel Insignia was considered ? Beautiful looking car I think , but again I know nought about how good it actually is.

Spudzzmurphy

Good car,but there petrol engines are crap.

msg11

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oH96l5f-OI

Weight ; 1950 KG

Top Speed ; 200KPH

Engine speed for max torque 4400@RPM.. (Quite low for max output) Total max torque Nm 160, Max engine output at the wheels 147BHP..

So a heavy family saloon car with some pull, but you would have the feeling the car could move alot faster..

The Colt Mivec, is max torque 6700@RPM, MAX torque Nm130, Max engine output at the wheels 137BHP. With a curb weight of 1250KG.

So I wouldn't expect this to be the most powerful car on the road.

Still looks nice !

dfbemt

psni wrote: »

Laugh if you want lads, but I'm very impressed with the Skoda Octavias we have...

I'm not a Skoda owner but surely these were in the running, if they tendered ?

Boots are huge, economical to run and plenty of leg room in the back.

Amazing how Irelands No1 family saloon care becomes Ireland No1 Garda car. Makes perfect sense.......... in Ireland

goldie fish

Petrol or Diesel?
We have a combination of Mondeos and Avensis at work and the difference in performance is huge. The Avensis is a gutless tank.

in your face

Saw an Insignia estate at the driving school, looked very impressive, LED on roof and bumpers and inside grill. The lads said that it was very comfortable to drive but the steering is light and the view of from the rear view mirror is shockingly bad on both the saloon and estate models. I hope the steering on the new Avensis improves on the last model, too light and skittish. I'd personally be an advocate of the Mondeo. Agree with poster re Skoda Octavia. The 2.0l TDI churns out 140bhp and has the handling and reliability to go with it, never mind the potential savings on diesel.

1922

ah toyotas are horrible patrol cars. even the vectra is not the best in corners, i'd actually trust a focus more

i've heard great things about the octavia as a patrol car actually, but mondeo for sure is my first choice. great road holding, feels solid and by far the most suitable

pah

1922 wrote: »

i'd actually trust a focus more

+1

1922

pah wrote: »

+1

EHHHH, that Vectra's NO GOOD

belacqua_

psni wrote: »

Laugh if you want lads, but I'm very impressed with the Skoda Octavias we have...

Are these being phased out? I've noticed that the most recent fleet of cars in use with the PSNI are Ford Focus estates (both marked and unmarked). Up on the north coast they've all but replaced the Skodas, there aren't as many of them around Belfast though, where you're more likely to see beat up old Octavias. Speaking of which, and off topic, I saw an unusual black Octavia estate marked up in a slightly altered livery, there was panel in place of the PSNI badge on the door that had something about a camera written on it, the car past before I got a chance to read what it said -- any idea what that's about?

pah

1922 wrote: »

i'd actually trust a focus more

</p>
And our Fiesta is an even better car than the Focus :rolleyes:

Del2005

belacqua_ wrote: »

Are these being phased out? I've noticed that the most recent fleet of cars in use with the PSNI are Ford Focus estates (both marked and unmarked). Up on the north coast they've all but replaced the Skodas, there aren't as many of them around Belfast though, where you're more likely to see beat up old Octavias. Speaking of which, and off topic, I saw an unusual black Octavia estate marked up in a slightly altered livery, there was panel in place of the PSNI badge on the door that had something about a camera written on it, the car past before I got a chance to read what it said -- any idea what that's about?

ANPR they use them to check for tax and insurance, the UK actually has a working car insurance database.

It's not the police not too sure who they actually are, I think it's local councils but I'd say I could be wrong.

belacqua_

Del2005 wrote: »

ANPR they use them to check for tax and insurance, the UK actually has a working car insurance database.

It's not the police not too sure who they actually are, I think it's local councils but I'd say I could be wrong.

I know the cars you're talking about, the DVA/DVLNI motor tax enforcement cars, it wasn't one of those. This was definitely a PSNI car, had all the usual police markings (explicitly stating police under the battenburg marking along the door for example) and had two officers in full uniform inside, the only difference was it was black and had an unusual info. panel on the driver and passenger side door.

someday2010

In my opinion having done a lot of driving in the previous version of both the avensis and the mondeo I can say that the mondeo is a far superior car to the avensis inevery aspect especially road handling, driveability and comfort.

1922

someday2010 wrote: »

In my opinion having done a lot of driving in the previous version of both the avensis and the mondeo I can say that the mondeo is a far superior car to the avensis inevery aspect especially road handling, driveability and comfort.

i'm in a similar situation and to concur

Don't know anything about cars, but what's the crack with Volvo? Who are they? Are they related to Ford or Toyota at all?

Just curious as I notice the RSU drive them, as opposed to Ford or Toyota.

Also, I think AGS should get Iveco in for the vans. The army use them a lot I believe, my brother owns one, and I know a few people who have or had one, and I never hear a bad word about them.

Spudzzmurphy

Deleted User wrote: »

Don't know anything about cars, but what's the crack with Volvo? Who are they? Are they related to Ford or Toyota at all?

Just curious as I notice the RSU drive them, as opposed to Ford or Toyota.

Also, I think AGS should get Iveco in for the vans. The army use them a lot I believe, my brother owns one, and I know a few people who have or had one, and I never hear a bad word about them.

To answer your question about Volvo,yes as far as I know Ford do own them.

goldie fish

I believe ford are to Volvo what toyota are to lexus.

Corcioch

goldie fish wrote: »

I believe ford are to Volvo what toyota are to lexus.

Sort of in that they share common floor plans amongst cars . . . .the Volvo S40 and the Ford Focus par example us the same floor plan/ basic chassis

But the relationaship differs in that Volvo were an independent company for years and years till they were bought over.

Lexus on the other hand are a division of toyota, not a company bought over.

Lexus are the Luxury Division of Toyota . . . . .While some volvos are luxury cars, Volvo also make Trucks ( huge range of trucks such as regular artics and the likes of Volvo BM's), Volvo make Buses . . Volvo also make components used in various manufacturing industries . . . . .I believe they did/ do make marine and aircraft engines.

Lexus on the other hand are purely a Luxury Car Division of Toyota.




. . .in relation to the Iveco recommendations . . ..the Ford Transit Van is widely regarded as the best light to medium van available as an all rounder. . . .when all factors are considered.

If money were no objest then Merc sprinters would be the order of the day.

CharlieCroker

The transit is perfect for day to day policing, I can't fault it. AGS don't need something the size of the iveco. I've driven a few of them and wouldn't rate them as high as a ducato, let alone a transit.

Btw, ford no longer owns Volvo. It was sold earlier this year to Chinese firm Geely.

kaiser sauze

They should have used the Octavia or Laguna.

Marcusm

Corcioch wrote: »

Lexus are the Luxury Division of Toyota . . . . .While some volvos are luxury cars, Volvo also make Trucks ( huge range of trucks such as regular artics and the likes of Volvo BM's), Volvo make Buses . . Volvo also make components used in various manufacturing industries . . . . .I believe they did/ do make marine and aircraft engines.

Lexus on the other hand are purely a Luxury Car Division of Toyota.day.

Volvo Cars used to be owned by Ford but were one of the divisions sold to aid the refinancing of the mother ship. Volvo Cars is currently owned by Geely of China. Volvo Trucks is a separate business never owned by Ford (VW covet it, however).

Terrontress

Marcusm wrote: »

Volvo Cars used to be owned by Ford but were one of the divisions sold to aid the refinancing of the mother ship. Volvo Cars is currently owned by Geely of China. Volvo Trucks is a separate business never owned by Ford (VW covet it, however).

To confuse things even further, Volvo Corporation owns Renault Trucks but not Renault vans, which are built by GM/Opel/Vauxhall in England.

Corcioch

kaiser sauze wrote: »

They should have used the Octavia or Laguna.

AGS had Laguna's before . . .pure dirt.

Delancey

Corcioch wrote: »

AGS had Laguna's before . . .pure dirt.

A friend of mine drove a Laguna as a company car , says it was the best company car he ever had . What so dire about AGS Lagunas ?

kaiser sauze

Corcioch wrote: »

AGS had Laguna's before . . .pure dirt.

The Laguna is a far superior car to the Avensis, easily on a par with the Mondeo (and certainly far more comfortable than a Mondeo) & Octavia.