Federal Government’s official BMW Comcars no longer for sale in Australia
Australia’s federal politicians chose to be driven in a BMW after the demise of a classic Holden. But now the German car will no longer be for sale in Australia.
National
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It was selected to reflect “forward-looking Australia” and replaced an Aussie icon.
But now the BMW chosen to ferry our politicians about has also been retired, unloved by Australians except it seems in the Finance Department.
The niche BMW 620d GT model has struggled to find consumer love in this country except it seems with the Finance Department which selected it and the Toyota Camry over 18 other car models to replace the taxpayer-funded Comcar fleet made up of Holden Caprices.
But like the Caprice which ceased production in 2017, the chosen BMW model will also now no longer be available in this market.
Finance has sought assurances from BMW it can deliver on its contract of luxury cars to drive the nation’s politicians and Commonwealth agency heads, despite the not-so-popular BMW model also apparently being pulled from market in the UK and US.
On May 29 this year, BMW advised the government the 6-series GT line would no longer be for sale in Australia.
Since its purchase was announced last December, 84 of the grey coloured $80,000-$120,000 BMWs have been delivered in Victoria, NSW, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania and the ACT.
In addition, 38 Toyota Camry hybrid-sedans have been delivered, with a further seven sedans to be delivered by September.
The Finance Department confirmed yesterday it expected a further 13 BMWs would still be delivered in “the next six months” on expiry of the existing Holden Caprice leases.
A spokeswoman for BMW said yesterday she believed all the cars had already been delivered but regardless, all contracts would be honoured.
“All 6 Series GT vehicles have been delivered to Comcar, and although the 6 Series GT is a niche product for us in Australia, we will continue to cater to specific customers by bringing products that suit their individual requirements,” she said.
She added it was “correct that we will not proactively be offering the car for sale in the Australian market.”
A spokeswoman for Finance Minister Mathias Cormann said the Minister was satisfied with assurances from BMW that after-sales and servicing of the fleet would continue to be available.
Earlier this year Mr Cormann confirmed to the Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee hearing, he chose the model’s new colour of dark grey for the Comcar fleet as the old white fleet reflected “a bit of a colonial past”.
“I think that … the white colour, in my mind, reflects a bit of a colonial past that we’ve moved on from and I think the colour chosen for the Comcars is a better reflection of a modern, forward-looking Australia.”
The BMW was chosen for its comfort and fuel economy.
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