An official state car is a car used by a national government to transport heads of state in an official capacity, which may also be used occasionally to transport other members of government or visiting diplomats from other countries. On a state visit, the official state car might be transported for official use by the head of state upon their arrival. It also may serve as an automotive symbol of the head of state and their country, and part of the criteria for an official state car is to have adequate security, capability and stateliness for its duty. A limousine, executive car or sport utility vehicle is usually selected.
Due to the high security risk for the passengers, these vehicles are often heavily secured and protected. Vehicles may be armored by the manufacturer or an after-market specialist. When dignitaries are on board, state vehicles will usually be surrounded by a motorcade consisting of police and/or military personnel. The vehicle's driver might also be from the law enforcement or military pool, with the driver of the United States Presidential State Car being an experienced agent from the Secret Service.
Official state cars are often those of domestic manufacturers, allowing the head of state and the government of each respective country an opportunity to show confidence in their nation's automotive industry, and allow their automakers a chance to demonstrate their technology and skill by creating a special vehicle for the task.[1] For example, the President of the United States rides in the domestic Cadillac, the Emperor of Japan uses a Toyota, the British monarch uses a Bentley [1] and the Prime Minister of Italy uses an Maserati. Some countries alternate between vehicles made by each of their domestic manufacturers, and it is considered an honour for a car manufacturer to be selected to provide a state car for their respective country.[1]
For countries without indigenous manufacturers, an official state car may be purchased from a suitable manufacturer in a nation with strong economic and diplomatic ties. Canada exclusively uses state cars manufactured by the Detroit Three, many of which are made in Canadian factories, with the United States and American car manufacturers having a historically strong relationship with Canada. The Canadian government also holds shares in General Motors and Chrysler following their restructuring in the economic downturn of 2008.
Due to the high security risk for the passengers, these vehicles are often heavily secured and protected. Vehicles may be armored by the manufacturer or an after-market specialist. When dignitaries are on board, state vehicles will usually be surrounded by a motorcade consisting of police and/or military personnel. The vehicle's driver might also be from the law enforcement or military pool, with the driver of the United States Presidential State Car being an experienced agent from the Secret Service.
Official state cars are often those of domestic manufacturers, allowing the head of state and the government of each respective country an opportunity to show confidence in their nation's automotive industry, and allow their automakers a chance to demonstrate their technology and skill by creating a special vehicle for the task.[1] For example, the President of the United States rides in the domestic Cadillac, the Emperor of Japan uses a Toyota, the British monarch uses a Bentley [1] and the Prime Minister of Italy uses an Maserati. Some countries alternate between vehicles made by each of their domestic manufacturers, and it is considered an honour for a car manufacturer to be selected to provide a state car for their respective country.[1]
For countries without indigenous manufacturers, an official state car may be purchased from a suitable manufacturer in a nation with strong economic and diplomatic ties. Canada exclusively uses state cars manufactured by the Detroit Three, many of which are made in Canadian factories, with the United States and American car manufacturers having a historically strong relationship with Canada. The Canadian government also holds shares in General Motors and Chrysler following their restructuring in the economic downturn of 2008.
0 comments:
Post a Comment