Gov't to buy hybrid car fleet

In April, the Procurement Administration will publish a large tender for the purchase of hybrids across all relevant categories.

The Super Mini will participate in the tender for hybrids for the class 2 and 3 use value. Tenders will also be published for hybrid executive cars for government officials with director general and deputy director general rank, and senior police officers. There will probably also be a tender for hybrid minivans. The Israel Police currently use 100 Toyota Prius hybrids.

Industry sources believe that the government is planning to procure hundreds of hybrids, although the final figure will depend on the willingness of the cars' recipients to accept hybrids and pay the use value on them, which is usually higher than for a corresponding gasoline car.

The sources also believe that a massive procurement of hybrids for the government car fleet might expand their use by municipalities, government companies, and government agencies.

In preparation for the tender, importers intend to offer new hybrid models, especially for the executive segment, including the Kia Optima, Hyundai Sonata, and Toyota Camry. Importers will also offer current hybrid models made by Hyundai Motor Company Ltd. (KSX: 5380; LSE: HYUD) and Toyota Motor Corporation (TSE: 7203; NYSE: TM; LSE: TYT), which dominate this market segment.

Sources inform ''Globes'' that the present tender will not be open to pure electric cars, including the Renault Fluence ZE sold by Better Place Inc..

Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on January 31, 2013

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