No more BMW police cars: Brand halts sales to UK forces
Discussion
"BMW has confirmed that it will no longer be supplying police cars to forces in the UK. The company confirmed to Auto Express that its Park Lane dealership in Mayfair will be restructured, including the International & Specialist Sales Division based there that has historically been responsible for handling specialist vehicle sales.
The change has been made amid ongoing supply chain issues for the automotive industry, including the global shortage of semiconductors. BMW is prioritising sales to retail and corporate customers as a result of this, although Auto Express understands this announcement applies only to the UK.
The full statement issued by BMW UK reads: “With high demand for our cars continuing to outstrip supply, we will be prioritising sales to our retail and corporate customers in the future and moving away from some areas of our authorities and specialist business.
“BMW Park Lane has historically been responsible for specialist vehicle sales and so now is being restructured. It is proposed that some responsibilities will move into the BMW UK National Sales Company in Farnborough. BMW Park Lane is now entering into a consultation period with a small number of impacted staff.”
The news comes one year after police forces around the UK were instructed not to use BMW patrol cars fitted with the brand’s N57 engine in any high-speed pursuits due to safety concerns."
Yeah. Not buying that supply chain BS at all. Either the cops don't want them, or BMW doesn't want the cops.
The change has been made amid ongoing supply chain issues for the automotive industry, including the global shortage of semiconductors. BMW is prioritising sales to retail and corporate customers as a result of this, although Auto Express understands this announcement applies only to the UK.
The full statement issued by BMW UK reads: “With high demand for our cars continuing to outstrip supply, we will be prioritising sales to our retail and corporate customers in the future and moving away from some areas of our authorities and specialist business.
“BMW Park Lane has historically been responsible for specialist vehicle sales and so now is being restructured. It is proposed that some responsibilities will move into the BMW UK National Sales Company in Farnborough. BMW Park Lane is now entering into a consultation period with a small number of impacted staff.”
The news comes one year after police forces around the UK were instructed not to use BMW patrol cars fitted with the brand’s N57 engine in any high-speed pursuits due to safety concerns."
Yeah. Not buying that supply chain BS at all. Either the cops don't want them, or BMW doesn't want the cops.
I was told that when BMW really tried to enter the fleet market there were managers who resisted due to fears of costs vs Ford or Vauxhall.
BMW would have let the Police have these specialist models at a good rate, maybe not at a loss but certainly a ‘loss leader’ mentality to signal their durability & affordability in fleet use.
The days when BMW needed to have liveries Police cars to reassure everyone that their products were robust and economical enough to use as business tools is long behind them.
The whole car market is odd.
If I were in BMW’s position I would be pushing the brand back up market where the margin vs sales numbers is fattest, and I suspect that’s at the top of the 3 series-5 series - X3/X5 segment.
BMW would have let the Police have these specialist models at a good rate, maybe not at a loss but certainly a ‘loss leader’ mentality to signal their durability & affordability in fleet use.
The days when BMW needed to have liveries Police cars to reassure everyone that their products were robust and economical enough to use as business tools is long behind them.
The whole car market is odd.
If I were in BMW’s position I would be pushing the brand back up market where the margin vs sales numbers is fattest, and I suspect that’s at the top of the 3 series-5 series - X3/X5 segment.
BMW Full Statement said:
“With high demand for our cars continuing to outstrip supply, we will be prioritising sales to our retail and corporate customers in the future and moving away from some areas of our authorities and specialist business. Also we don't want any more embarrassing engine failures when those nasty policemen chase bad guys.
“BMW Park Lane has historically been responsible for specialist vehicle sales and so now is being restructured. It is proposed that BMW Park Lane will now be a huge parts department supplying new engines to all the dead police cars people have bought at auction”.
In all seriousness though, I feel for any BMW employees impacted by this and hope it turns out as well as it can for them.“BMW Park Lane has historically been responsible for specialist vehicle sales and so now is being restructured. It is proposed that BMW Park Lane will now be a huge parts department supplying new engines to all the dead police cars people have bought at auction”.
Stick Legs said:
I was told that when BMW really tried to enter the fleet market there were managers who resisted due to fears of costs vs Ford or Vauxhall.
BMW would have let the Police have these specialist models at a good rate, maybe not at a loss but certainly a ‘loss leader’ mentality to signal their durability & affordability in fleet use.
The days when BMW needed to have liveries Police cars to reassure everyone that their products were robust and economical enough to use as business tools is long behind them.
The whole car market is odd.
If I were in BMW’s position I would be pushing the brand back up market where the margin vs sales numbers is fattest, and I suspect that’s at the top of the 3 series-5 series - X3/X5 segment.
That’s where they are now with BEVs, nothing small or manoeuvrable about them now.BMW would have let the Police have these specialist models at a good rate, maybe not at a loss but certainly a ‘loss leader’ mentality to signal their durability & affordability in fleet use.
The days when BMW needed to have liveries Police cars to reassure everyone that their products were robust and economical enough to use as business tools is long behind them.
The whole car market is odd.
If I were in BMW’s position I would be pushing the brand back up market where the margin vs sales numbers is fattest, and I suspect that’s at the top of the 3 series-5 series - X3/X5 segment.
Minimoto said:
"BMW has confirmed that it will no longer be supplying police cars to forces in the UK. The company confirmed to Auto Express that its Park Lane dealership in Mayfair will be restructured, including the International & Specialist Sales Division based there that has historically been responsible for handling specialist vehicle sales.
The change has been made amid ongoing supply chain issues for the automotive industry, including the global shortage of semiconductors. BMW is prioritising sales to retail and corporate customers as a result of this, although Auto Express understands this announcement applies only to the UK.
The full statement issued by BMW UK reads: “With high demand for our cars continuing to outstrip supply, we will be prioritising sales to our retail and corporate customers in the future and moving away from some areas of our authorities and specialist business.
“BMW Park Lane has historically been responsible for specialist vehicle sales and so now is being restructured. It is proposed that some responsibilities will move into the BMW UK National Sales Company in Farnborough. BMW Park Lane is now entering into a consultation period with a small number of impacted staff.”
The news comes one year after police forces around the UK were instructed not to use BMW patrol cars fitted with the brand’s N57 engine in any high-speed pursuits due to safety concerns."
Yeah. Not buying that supply chain BS at all. Either the cops don't want them, or BMW doesn't want the cops.
Aye nothing to do with the fact a cop lost his life on the M6 due to well known BMW problem which led to lots of police forces refusing to use them and switching to Volvo, VW Audi Group and other alternatives. Prioritising retail who haven't been bitten on the arse with their fingers in ears attitiudeThe change has been made amid ongoing supply chain issues for the automotive industry, including the global shortage of semiconductors. BMW is prioritising sales to retail and corporate customers as a result of this, although Auto Express understands this announcement applies only to the UK.
The full statement issued by BMW UK reads: “With high demand for our cars continuing to outstrip supply, we will be prioritising sales to our retail and corporate customers in the future and moving away from some areas of our authorities and specialist business.
“BMW Park Lane has historically been responsible for specialist vehicle sales and so now is being restructured. It is proposed that some responsibilities will move into the BMW UK National Sales Company in Farnborough. BMW Park Lane is now entering into a consultation period with a small number of impacted staff.”
The news comes one year after police forces around the UK were instructed not to use BMW patrol cars fitted with the brand’s N57 engine in any high-speed pursuits due to safety concerns."
Yeah. Not buying that supply chain BS at all. Either the cops don't want them, or BMW doesn't want the cops.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Edited by pavarotti1980 on Wednesday 11th January 15:58
It's a long running issue but basically the Police don't want BMW's because of the incident linked above.
I know a number of Police Forces have been restricting the way BMW's are used by firearms and Traffic Officers and are moving away to other brands. I am a BMW fan personally and will continue to buy their cars so no axe to grind but they are deemed not suitable by Police Forces and this is BMW trying to save face.
I know a number of Police Forces have been restricting the way BMW's are used by firearms and Traffic Officers and are moving away to other brands. I am a BMW fan personally and will continue to buy their cars so no axe to grind but they are deemed not suitable by Police Forces and this is BMW trying to save face.
Jamescrs said:
It's a long running issue but basically the Police don't want BMW's because of the incident linked above.
I know a number of Police Forces have been restricting the way BMW's are used by firearms and Traffic Officers and are moving away to other brands. I am a BMW fan personally and will continue to buy their cars so no axe to grind but they are deemed not suitable by Police Forces and this is BMW trying to save face.
Even the X3 and X5’s ?I know a number of Police Forces have been restricting the way BMW's are used by firearms and Traffic Officers and are moving away to other brands. I am a BMW fan personally and will continue to buy their cars so no axe to grind but they are deemed not suitable by Police Forces and this is BMW trying to save face.
Thought they loved them.
Downward said:
Jamescrs said:
It's a long running issue but basically the Police don't want BMW's because of the incident linked above.
I know a number of Police Forces have been restricting the way BMW's are used by firearms and Traffic Officers and are moving away to other brands. I am a BMW fan personally and will continue to buy their cars so no axe to grind but they are deemed not suitable by Police Forces and this is BMW trying to save face.
Even the X3 and X5’s ?I know a number of Police Forces have been restricting the way BMW's are used by firearms and Traffic Officers and are moving away to other brands. I am a BMW fan personally and will continue to buy their cars so no axe to grind but they are deemed not suitable by Police Forces and this is BMW trying to save face.
Thought they loved them.
The use of BMW's across the forces does seem to me at least to be quite prevalent. Everything from 2 Series Gran Tourers Panda cars to the usual X5's marked and unmarked. I wonder if another brand will step in to pick up the orders? of if the cops procurement will just split it out to various manufacturers instead.
Chunkychucky said:
Got a couple of 72 reg 3 series tourings being used around here currently, though up around the North East I seem to mainly be seeing some modern, blobby Peugeot hatchbacks (no idea or interest of model/specification).
I know Northumbria took all BMWs off the road and gave traffic temporary Peugeot 308SW and ARVs Vauxhall Vivaro's to drive around in. Now they have Volvo V60, V90, XC60 and XC90s and a smattering of unmarked Skoda's. Durham still have a load of BMWs MustangGT said:
I was under the impression the N57 is no longer available in new cars? If that is the case then the previous issues are, to a certain extent, irrelevant from a factual point of view. Not from a historical event point of view.
Fairly certain you’re right, IIRC BMW have a newer 3L diesel, based loosely off the B58 petrol. Believe it came out with the G generation 7 seriesTDowney2394 said:
MustangGT said:
I was under the impression the N57 is no longer available in new cars? If that is the case then the previous issues are, to a certain extent, irrelevant from a factual point of view. Not from a historical event point of view.
Fairly certain you’re right, IIRC BMW have a newer 3L diesel, based loosely off the B58 petrol. Believe it came out with the G generation 7 seriesNot sure what will pack enough of a punch to catch the morons who would do 140 on a motorway if in a wheezy 2 litre Insignia if all the X5's and 530d's are no longer an option.
Only equivalent could be Audi or Mercedes unless they go for Jags or Range Rovers (3 litre diesel Velars?).
Zetec-S said:
It will be interesting to see what they use instead of BMW in future.
Thames Valley and Hampshire are moving to Volvos, they've had some for the past year or so but a recent trip to the vehicle preparation unit showed a fresh lot of XC90's, V90's and V60's. A load of XC90's were already marked up for ARV use.
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