New ministers may only drive Skoda
Champion Motors says will no longer supply government with Audi A6 cars, forcing minister to settle for less prestigious Skoda Superb
Instead, ministers will have to "make do" with Skoda Superb cars, which are considered less prestigious.
Since Champion Motors won the bid to supply the government's cars in 2009, ministers had a choice between the two models. Most went for the Audi A6 despite its high cost compared to Skoda: NIS 419,000 (about $114,000) as oppose to NIS 219,000 ($60,000).
The tender expired recently, and the Ministry of Finance asked Champion to extend it for another six months. Champion agreed but said it could not continue to supply the government with Audis.
The new terms do not apply to ministers who already have an Audi but only to new ministers who will be offered a Skoda only. Ministers who already have an Audi will not be able to replace it with a new Audi in the event their car is decommissioned, as oppose to past terms of the tender.
Calcalist has learned that quite a few ministers are using Audis, including Education Minister Gideon Sa'ar, Regional Development Minister Silvan Shalom and Industry, Trade and Labor Minister Shalom Simhon.
In the next few months, the Ministry of Finance will issue a new tender for government cars.
Champion Motors was unavailable for response.
The Ministry of Finance said in response, "We are preparing to issue a new tender. We held clarification talks with Champion Motors, but no agreement has been reached."
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