Government's BMW buy slammed

The replacement of three-year-old BMW VIP cars by the Government is "absolutely appalling", says Tauranga's former MP Bob Clarkson.
The Government has announced it is selling its fleet of 34 luxury limos and replacing them with new BMWs, which retail commercially for about $200,000 each. Although the Government will get a discount for bulk buying, the total cost to the taxpayer will not be revealed as it is commercially sensitive.
Mr Clarkson said the Government should have stuck with the current fleet of BMWs.
"Are they trying to tell us they are worn out? It think it is bloody ridiculous and I am sick of seeing the waste. We might have to have a riot like Egypt to sort it out."
Tauranga MP Simon Bridges said that while he understood the sentiment and emotion being expressed around replacing the BMWs, part of the contract negotiated by the last Labour Government was a renewal option after three years.
Although he has not seen the figures, Mr Bridges understood that the Labour Government got a very good deal to replace the thirstier Fords with BMWs.
Mr Bridges, who never travels in the ministerial cars, said the BMWs were also used for foreign dignitaries including senior United States government officials.
They would also be used by dozens of dignitaries arriving in New Zealand for the Rugby World Cup. Mr Bridges said the new BMWs were much cheaper than market prices.
Owner of Mount Maunganui's Farmer Auto Village, Mike Farmer, said there were other luxury cars that would have done the job but cost less. He said the Skoda Superb, worth about $62,000, was in the Government's tender. He said these cars were fuel efficient, had a spacious back seat and would have been a "very economical choice".
"The only thing it doesn't have is the BMW badge and it's a lot of money to spend on a badge. I think the Government needs to keep the fleet up to date and I think if they're driving around dignitaries they can't seem to be the paupers but I think they could have made a more economical decision."
Dog and Lemon Guide's Clive Matthew-Wilson said the Government could buy Lexus limos for half the price.
A spokesman for Prime Minister John Key said the fleet upgrade was standard commercial practice and was in line with the contract with BMW, which was first signed by the previous government.
Finance Minister Bill English said the Government could buy secondhand cars but cars needed to be maintained and renewed.
Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei said it was outrageous when ministers were telling everyone else to tighten their belts.
"When John Key is cutting staff and creating unemployment in order to apparently tighten the Government's belt, this kind of spending is an outrage."