Mazda Looks to Accelerate Police Vehicle Sales

DARTFORD, UNITED KINGDOM – October 2, 2009: Demand for Mazda cars from police forces across Britain and Government agencies is accelerating. Currently vehicles are used for covert operations by many of the country’s 42 police forces and some Government agencies, including HM Revenue and Customs.

Now Mazda is hoping that rising demand for vehicles from across its range, but particularly the Mazda2, Mazda3, Mazda5, Mazda6 and Mazda CX-7, will act as a springboard for demand for models as ‘blue light’ vehicles. In addition, the manufacturer has also supplied a handful of models to UK fire brigades and NHS Trust ambulance fleets and expects more to follow.

Currently Mazda is supplying an average of three cars a month for use by a cross section of police fleets and other organisations.

However, Jason Jenkins, Mazda Fleet’s National Key Account Manager, Emergency Services, is optimistic that if the brand is accepted on to the National Policing Improvement Agency vehicle framework agreement, which is currently under review, demand could increase to 15-20 vehicles a month. The new agreement is expected to ‘go live’ in March 2010.

The agreement acts as a ‘procurement guide’ to police fleets and other organisations, including the fire service, but it is not binding.

Mr Jenkins explained: “Police forces and other organisations like Mazda vehicles because they are a sporty drive and have first class reliability. It is such attributes that have enabled the company to provide the vehicles that we have done to date, even though we are currently not part of the framework agreement.

“We will not know until later this year or early in 2010 whether or not we will be included within the new agreement, but we are putting a lot of resources into obtaining approval and have exhibited at the annual National Association of Police Fleet Managers’ Conference.

“We are currently focusing on supplying vehicles for covert operations, but in the future we will be looking to supply vehicles for frontline ‘blue light’ police duties. Such business is a growth area for Mazda.”