Holden's new Divvy van
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A new 'pod' makes the new VE Holden
ute the new 'divvy' van for Victoria Police.
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16th September, 2009
Holden has joined forces with Victoria Police and
Bellmont Nominees to build Victoria’s newest divisional van, commonly known as the "divvy van".
Based on Holden's Model Year 10 (MY10) VE Omega Ute, the new divisional van is the result of an
intensive 12 month programme to develop a safer, more reliable divisional van to patrol Victorian
streets.
Holden’s MY10 Ute is the first light commercial vehicle in Australia to offer six airbags as standard
across the range.
The van includes a high level of safety features and a custom-designed rear pod to meet the rigorous
demands of police duties.
Holden’s Chairman and Managing Director Alan Batey said safety and durability were hallmarks of
Holden’s VE 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 Programme 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," he 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."
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Holden will supply more than 200 divisional vans to the Victoria Police, beginning in November this
year.
The maintenance of a low centre of gravity was a crucial factor in the design of the VE van’s rear
pod which was developed in collaborative programme between Holden and Bellmont Nominees.
Bellmont’s Sales and Marketing Manager, Andy Balmain, said the pod was a unique, fully self-contained,
secure two person transport module designed for a very long service life.
“The pod is designed to transfer onto multiple base vehicles over the many years of expected
service,” Mr Balmain said.
“With such a long term service life, there are significant cost benefits of this multiple life
capability that make it very attractive to fleet customers both large and small.”
The module is made from advanced composite materials including an exceptionally tough composite resin
system.
These composite materials, like those commonly used in the aerospace industry, make the pod extremely
corrosive resistant, strong, robust yet light weight, offering great fuel efficiency and vehicle performance
benefits over the heavier steel or aluminium materials in previous models.
The streamlined design enables low centre of gravity and low wind resistance which when combined with the
Holden VE Ute provides excellent high speed handling and stability.
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