The Department of Internal Affairs

Te Tari Taiwhenua | Department of Internal Affairs

Building a safe, prosperous and respected nation



 

VIP transport fleet replacement


30 September 2015

The Department of Internal Affairs announced today that it will be replacing 32 of its fleet of 34 VIP vehicles with new BMW 730Lds.

The vehicle selection is the result of a robust tendering process managed independently by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment as part of their All of Government Vehicles procurement process.

Nine vehicles were submitted for evaluation through the tender process. Of the vehicles that met the operational requirements the BMW 730Ld has the lowest total cost of ownership. Benefits include increased fuel efficiency and lower emissions than the existing fleet.

Ministerial vehicles are used for the Prime Minister and Ministers of the Crown, the Leader of the Opposition, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, visiting dignitaries including Heads of State, senior judiciary, and the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Parliament.

The current fleet was scheduled for replacement this year following the expiration of its extended warranty. The new cars will be progressively introduced from December.

Two vehicles of the existing fleet will be retained and the rest disposed of in the best way to maximise their resale value.

Key facts:

  • Nine vehicles from six manufacturers were evaluated and three were shortlisted.
  • The evaluation process was open to all manufacturers and to vehicles of any fuel type. The three shortlisted vehicles that met the Department’s operational requirements all have diesel engines.
  • The vehicles were evaluated for safety, security, reliability, comfort and space, suitability for VIPs and as a mobile office, compliance with emission standards, economy, and Total Cost of Ownership.
  • The vehicles will be leased as the most cost-effective option.
  • BMW has been added to the MBIE panel of All-of Government suppliers.

Media contacts:

For information on the decision:
Christine Ross
Manager External Communications
The Department of Internal Affairs
Direct Dial: +64 4 462 0171 Mobile: +64 27 703 6887

For information on the procurement process:
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment media team
Email: media@mbie.govt.nz
Mobile: +64 27 442 2141