Purpose: These vehicles transport heads of state by ground and are typically escorted by several other vehicles of similar type in a motorcade. In countries with domestic auto industries the vehicle is also an area of national pride.

 

By Nation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manufacturer: Cadillac (Currently), Lincoln and Chrysler

 

Maintenance and Management: United States Secret Service and White House Military Office

 

Current Vehicle: Cadillac DTS on a GMC Top-Kick Medium Commercial Truck Chassis. Chevrolet Suburbans are used when the President travels in certain countries with largely unpaved roads.

 

Development: The Presidential Limo was designed by General Motors with input from the Secret Service and several Defense Contractors

 

Defense: Classified Armor, CBRN protection from chemical weapons attack, military grade countermeasure systems to include radio signal jammers and smoke grenades. Subdued Police Lights, Bullet Proof Glass. Run Flat CTIS tires,The Secret Service "Nuclear Football" a suitcase which contains nuclear launch codes is handcuffed to a Secret Service agent and is never far away from the president is rumored to have a special compartment in the trunk but unlikely.

 

Registration: The Presidential Limo carries Washington DC License Plates. In 2006 the DC Department of Motor Vehicles changed "Washington DC" to "District of Columbia" on issued license plates the Presidential Limo follows suit by carrying these plates as well. Currently the Presidential Limo is registered as "800=002". Several Copies of this license plate were made at the request of the Secret Service to be used on Decoy Limos to confuse potential terrorists and assassins Special License Plates are carried during inauguration ceremonies. The switch to regular license plates was seen as a move to push for DC Statehood as the license plates carry the slogan "Taxation Without Representation" like all DC License Plates do.

 

Debut: 2009

 

Expected Replacement: 2016, The Secret Service began accepting bids to build the next limo and received bids from General Motors (Cadillac) and Chrysler. Ford was expected bid after it unveiled a new Lincoln Continental prototype. Because General Motors is largely still owned by the Federal Government it is likely the replacement will be a Cadillac XTS.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manufacturer: Bentley (Currently), Rolls Royce

 

Maintenance and Management: Royal Mews at Buckingham Palace

 

Current Vehicle: Bentley State Limousine, Jaguar XJ's are used by the Prime Minister, Land Rover Range Rover's are used by the Royal Family on non-official trips.

 

Development: The State Limousine was designed by Bentley and its premier limo division Mulliner Coachworks. It was built by Bentley to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. It is one of the rarest cars in the world as only 2 were built.

 

Defense: Classified Armor, Kevlar-Reinforced Run-Flat Tires, Bulletproof Glass, CBRN chemical weapons protection. Subdued Blue Police Lighting

 

Registration: The State Limousine does not carry license plates

 

Debut: 2002

 

Expected Replacement: Not Expected.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manufacturer: Toyota/Lexus (currently), Nissan

 

Maintenance and Management: Imperial Household Agency

 

Current Vehicle: Toyota Century Royal

 

Development: The Japanese Imperial Household Agency requested a new limo to be used by the Emperor and high ranking members of the Imperial House of Japan. Toyota built a special version of the Toyota Century and called it the Century Royal. 5 were ordered but due to the high cost for each only 4 were built.

 

Defense: The Century Royal has standard CBRN protection as well as undisclosed protective measures.

 

Registration: The Century Royal does not carry license plates but does display the Imperial Chrysanthemum

 

Debut: 2006

 

Expected Replacement: Not Expected

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manufacturer: Kia Motors (currently), Mercedes Benz (Currently), Ford, SEAT, Hyundai

 

Maintenance and Management: Gendarmerie Corps of the Vatican City State

 

Current Vehicle: Kia Soul and Mercedes Benz M-Class

 

Development: Pope Francis has often been dubbed "The Peoples Pope" due to his simplistic nature and simpler standards. He often rode the bus while he was still a Cardinal. During his visit to South Korea he elected to use a Kia Soul instead of the Mercedes Benz. A Kia Sedona was modified to be the new Popemobile during his trip across South East Asia. The Popemobile is designed and manufactured by various hosts and the Pope uses one of any number depending on security concerns and the size of the crowds attending his audiences. While in Vatican City he has been seen driving a standard Ford Focus from the Vatican City motor pool.

 

Defense: Most Popemobiles feature bulletproof glass ever since the assassination attempt of Pope John Paul II. However most Popemoblies are Open Air Convertibles

 

Registration: The Popemobile is registered in Vatican City as "SCV 1". SCV meaning Status Civitantis Vaticanae or Vatician City State. The Pope's personal Ford Focus is registered as "SCV 00919"

 

Debut: 2015

 

Expected Replacement: Not Expected, Current fleet exceeds 20 vehicles

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manufacturer: FAW Group

 

Maintenance and Management: People's Liberation Army

 

Current Vehicle: Hongqi L7

 

Development: Hongqi (chinese for "Red Flag) is the Luxury division of FAW Group and it designed the L7 for President Hu Jintao's Troop Inspection Ceremony for the 60th Anniversary of the Republic. The L7 and its larger twin the L9 are part of the Presidential and Executive VIP motor pool in China.

 

Defense: Rumored to have standard CBRN protection all other details undisclosed and classified.

 

Registration: During the 60th Anniversary Parade the Limo was registered as "02009" as a celebration of that year.

 

Debut: 2009

 

Expected Replacement: Hongqi has pushed new models out but the Chinese Government is not expected to update its current fleet soon.