POLICE across the state are about to trial the Kia Sorrento and new overseas-built Holden Commodore ZB as general duties vehicles.
Last year, South Australian Police started a project to identify vehicles to replace the Adelaide-built Holden Commodore which ceased production in November.
For much of the postwar period, officers in South Australia drove cars built in the capital city car plants of General Motors Holden at Woodville and Elizabeth and Chrysler at Tonsley Park.
SA Police has now taken delivery of six Kia Sorrentos that have been fitted for general duty patrol use.
The Kia will be released into the field shortly for suitability testing and evaluation.
The new Holden Commodore will be imported from Germany and will not be available in Australia before March.
Operational testing will occur in SA after this time.
Australian and New Zealand policing agencies approved a set of national vehicle specifications for a general duty police vehicles.
The national specifications have a minimum 5 Star ANCAP safety rating to ensure existing high standards are maintained.
Safety was a significant consideration in the selection process and the Kia Sorrento recently received the highest ever safety rating in crash testing for an sports utility vehicle in Australia.
During field trials the six new Kias will be deployed throughout the state.
Millicent police officers have access to sedan and four wheel drive vehicles as their area encompasses beaches, forests and scrub area.
They have declined to comment on the suitability of the two suggested replacement vehicles.
Commentators on The South Eastern Times Facebook page have lamented the loss of Holden cars for police work.
