Israel's police need SUVs, but there's nothing to choose from: only Land Cruiser and Rexton are left

Israel's Finance Ministry is asking to extend the contract with KGM importer Talcar by 10 million shekels due to a delay in a new tender for the purchase of police vehicles. The choice of SUVs backed by service infrastructure in Israel has narrowed to the Toyota Land Cruiser and the KGM Rexton after the Mitsubishi Pajero was discontinued. The police operate 407 KGM SUVs.

Israel's Finance Ministry is asking to extend the contract with KGM (formerly SsangYong) vehicle importer by an additional 10 million shekels. The reason is a delay in a new state tender for the purchase of vehicles for the security forces, planned for 2027. Publication of the tender was postponed due to required revisions. Until the procedure is completed, the Finance Ministry proposes continuing cooperation with the current KGM SUV supplier. The choice of vehicles capable of handling heavy off-road conditions and backed by service infrastructure in Israel is limited. The Mitsubishi Pajero, previously used by the security forces, is no longer sold. As a result, the state is left with the Japanese Toyota Land Cruiser and the Korean KGM Rexton, which costs less than the Toyota. The police use both models, but the Rexton is more widespread: according to Finance Ministry documents, the police have 407 KGM SUVs with a combined value of 112 million shekels. The Government Procurement Administration additionally purchased another 40 vehicles. In practice, the only supplier able to import the Rexton and provide its servicing at a competitive price remains Talcar, the KGM importer in Israel. The state vehicle fleet first purchased the Rexton in 2022, when it replaced the Kia Sorento. Since then SsangYong has been absorbed by the KG Group conglomerate and renamed KGM, but the Rexton model continues to be produced.