A new Volkswagen Passat sits on display on the deck of the Hunter Museum of Art in Chattanooga during a Volkswagen dinner and reception for international media in this file photo.
Red Bank police detectives soon will be the first in the country to conduct surveillance and chase down suspects while behind the wheel of locally made Volkswagen Passats.
The Red Bank City Commission unanimously voted Tuesday night to approve the purchase of two Passats, which will cost $21,278 apiece.
Volkswagen director of communications Carsten Krebs said Red Bank is the first municipality in the nation to buy the cars, and will be the first to add them to a police fleet.
“It’s a great day, and we’re very happy that the city of Red Bank wrote history tonight,” Krebs said.
Red Bank Police Chief Tim Christol, who took a test drive in the Passat at a local dealer after a monthslong bidding process, said he was won over by features like the cars’ roominess, wide wheel base, good gas mileage and a responsive engine.