UK Coppers Watch Their Nickels

Cammy Corrigan
by Cammy Corrigan

I may have mentioned before (or you may have read about it) that the UK is undergoing a huge austerity program. In order to balance the UK’s books, massive spending cuts are being implemented. But in order to secure votes, the Conservative government (along with the Liberal Democrats) pledged that the NHS would not suffer these cuts in budgets. Wow! A right wing government actually PROTECTING nationalized healthcare? Those crazy Europeans! So this means that other facets of government spending are going to be hit hard. Very hard. In particular, the police. Greater Manchester Police won’t be hiring any new recruits for 2 years in order to save money. That’s how hard we’re talking. So any opportunity to save money will be welcome. Enter a bunch of South Koreans…

Honestjohn.co.uk reports that after a 2 year long process, Hyundai has now been awarded the “preferred supplier” status by the National Association of Police Fleet Managers. The new contract awarded will allow UK police forces to buy Hyundai vehicles. It’s pretty difficult not to see why the UK police force would not go with Hyundai. They’re reliable, well equipped and have that lovely 5 year warranty. But above all, they’re cheap. Which will please the UK police accountants. Tony Whitehead, Managing Director of Hyundai UK, 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 has shone through and they’ve been given the green light to carry a blue light.” Ugh! Don’t you just hate corporate people cracking jokes?

However, there’s one group of people who won’t be happy at this decision. Workers at the Vauxhall plant in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire. You see, they make the Vauxhall Astra, which is used by Police forces currently. If, as predicted, Police forces up and down the country, start switching to Hyundais, this may cause a problem for the workers at Vauxhall. Problems like “Here’s your P45, see you later.” The country’s trade deficit widens (those Hyundais aren’t made in the UK) and the government now has more unemployed people on their books to look after in terms of unemployment benefits. But hey, at least Police forces saved a few pounds on their cars…

Cammy Corrigan
Cammy Corrigan

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  • StevenJJ StevenJJ on Sep 27, 2010

    What does this actually mean? Hyundai are now on 'The List'. It doesn't mean any of the BiB are going to be doing business in them. More of our boys in Vauxhalls and Jags is where I am. Manchester politburo just received a kicking by rejection (public ballot) of a toll road program so any cutbacks can be considered as poor planning on behalf of those who expected it to go through when no-one wanted it. TTAC!

  • Larry P2 Larry P2 on Sep 27, 2010

    I think buying the cops Toyota Prius's, Smart Cars or small Kias would be good for their egos, and probably drastically improve their attitude toward the public. Put governors on the cars with a top speed of 60 mph, then they wouldn't need the BOF monstrosities. Dock any damage to the car, justified or not, out of their pay. Require videotaping both inside and outside of the car, of every move that the cop makes. Any failure to do so would require dismissal of the charges. Hook them up to a lie detector when they testify in front of a jury, and inform the jury of the running results. Before they can use their weapons, require a warrant issued by a neutral magistrate only upon clear and convincing evidence.

  • Dukeisduke Is the Volvo EX30 even on sale yet? It was pulled from the NACTOY awards because they were having software problems with the vehicle.
  • Wjtinfwb If you've only got 5k to spend on transportation, I cannot imagine a worse way to spend it than on a GM orphan from Sweden that's 15 years old with 150k on the clock and limited plus expensive parts availability and dwindling techs who'd even want to work on it. Go find a similar vintage Camry or Accord with 150k miles or even a Ford or a Chevy, whatever. Hell, even an old Jaguar is less of a crapshoot than a Saab. At least you can still get parts.
  • Kwik_Shift Brands that were considered from China include BYD, Dayun, Great Wall Motors, Maxus, Nio, Omoda/Chery, Seres, XPeng, and Zeekr. KG Mobility from South Korea also made the list of candidates.That's a lot of car companies from there ready to head here.
  • Analoggrotto Clean sweep and unanimous victory for the world affluence engine of 22nd century : Hyundai/Kia/Genesis. Toyota and Lexus, for 120 years of history have not been able to capture the zenith superlative status of Hyundai Motor Corporation the most awarded, decorated and revered automotive corporation in the history of historical. Featuring best ever, first ever and greatest ever e-ATPs the Hyundai Genesis Kia lineup is posed to become the envy of every country club, ivy league college and fortune 500 corporation in the world. I've been taking a roadtrip in my loaner Elantra N, visiting colleges from east to west, elite universities of higher learning to inspect their parking lots. WHat did I find? Leagues of Genesis models, outnumbering Lexus 3 to 1. When I interviewed faculty and staff at these places of greater learning, their response was unanimous : they chose HMC for the ATPs.
  • Mikey 2019 Chevy Impala Premier FWD with 20 inch factory Bridgestones. I'm looking at replacing tires at the 65,000 KLM's (40,000 miles ) mark ....It doesn't thrill me .. I'm pricing Michelin Cross Climate 2 tires ouch !! ..Up here in Canuckastan ....Big $$$$$
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