Holden launches new Divisional Van for Victoria Police
September 16, 2009 by Matt Brogan
Following an intensive 12 month program to developing a safer, more reliable division van for the Victoria Police Force, Holden has joined forces with Bellmont Nominees to build this latest model.
Based on the recently released Model Year 10 (MY10) VE Commodore Omega Ute, the new divisional van features six airbags in the passenger compartment and a custom-designed rear pod aimed at meeting “the rigorous demands of police duties”.
The pod is a unique, fully self-contained, secure two person transport module designed for a very long service life. It is made from advanced composite materials including an exceptionally tough composite resin system.
The streamlined design enables low centre of gravity and low wind resistance which when combined with the Commodore Ute provides excellent high-speed handling and stability.
Holden’s Chairman and Managing Director Alan Batey said safety and durability were hallmarks of the VE Commodore Ute that provided optimum driver and passenger safety.
“Holden worked very closely with the Victoria Police and Bellmont to design, develop, test and build what is a state-of-the-art workhorse for modern policing,” Mr Batey said.
“With six airbags and a range of driver aids including Electronic Stability Program we are very confident in this vehicle’s real world safety capabilities. Coupled with a purpose-designed policing pod, it is a winning combination.
“We’re delighted these advances will help improve the safety of police officers as they carry out their duties.”
The divisional van has been given a VICPOL Silver functional classification, making it suitable as a first response vehicle. Only the Commodore SS and SV6 sedans in the Holden police car range have a higher functional classification, but the divisional van is closing the gap.
Mr Batey said Holden was very proud of its long-standing partnership with the Victoria Police.
“We’ve been working with Victoria Police for more than 50 years and this divisional van takes that great relationship to a new level,” Mr Batey said.
“This vehicle demonstrates the ability of our design and engineering teams to work with local suppliers to develop innovative products for specific market needs.”
Holden will supply more than 200 divisional vans to the Victoria Police, beginning in November this year.
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Hopefully they’ve added the top-secret nerve gas canisters, so that when they throw the morons who knife and glass people into the back, they can be subdued …….
i was talking to an old copper on the weekend,and he really enjoyed the old days when the paddy wagons were made of metal.something about the impact of the sudden stop(not while driving but)…
Heh.. I just had the mental image of when a group of friends and I discussed turning one of those ginormous Sprinter vans into a party bus. We’d pad and line the (empty, seatless) rear and just throw people in there and drive along without a care in the world.
Wonder if thats what the police do with their shiny new divvy vans :P
Hopefully this “optimum safety” doesnt extend to the rear passengers……
on another note, Holden doesnt actually build the rear compartments so im not sure why they are taking the credit.
It sure does look better than other models of the divvy vans though
You’re going home in the back of a divvy van!!!