Toyota Corolla ready for duty with UK’s police forces

A vehicle built at Toyota Manufacturing UK’s Derbyshire factory is set to fulfil a new role with the UK’s police forces as a patrol car.

To mark the Toyota Corolla’s new role, the firm recently hosted the equivalent of a passing-out parade for the car at its Burnaston plant, the production centre for all European Corolla models.

More than 20 constabularies attended the “blue light” event to learn more about the qualities that make Corolla a strong proposition for police fleets.

TMUK has worked closely with a number of police forces during the past two years to ensure the vehicle meets all the principal requirements for consideration when service fleets are being replaced or upgraded.

A dedicated team at Burnaston’s Special Vehicle Operations Division carries out the conversion work – with production capacity expected to expand to 15 vehicle conversions per week.

Key features of the police-specification vehicle include built-in satellite navigation, parking sensors and a dog guard for the load compartment.

It has a roof-mounted lightbar, exterior and interior illumination and secondary battery equipment and control systems built to withstand impact forces.

Additional features include siren, radio system support and livery options.

To ensure the finished vehicle is fit for the job, the Police Authority Specification Corolla was subjected to extensive testing, including the Metropolitan Police’s own rigorous test programme, which it passed with flying colours.

The vehicle is now available to police forces across the UK.

Richard Kenworthy, managing director at TMUK, said: “We have worked with all divisions of Toyota in the UK and various constabularies, which has enabled us to build on their feedback and requirements.

“Ensuring that we applied standard Toyota practices for the work means we have been able to deliver a vehicle that meets the police forces’ stringent requirements.

“The adoption of Corolla by the police is testament to the efforts our employees invest in every vehicle that comes off our production line.

“We are proud that our Corolla is now one of the vehicles of choice for the police.”