US Secret Service meets with GM execs on next-generation armored SUVs
By David Shepardson
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The head of the U.S. Secret Service met with General Motors executives this week in Michigan to discuss next-generation armored SUVs as the automaker works on the upcoming version of the presidential limousine, the agency said Friday.
The Secret Service said on X that Director Sean Curran met with GM “to discuss advancements that could benefit the next generation of armored SUVs.” GM did not immediately comment on the meeting at its Global Design Center in Warren, Michigan.
“Countering evolving threats require us to constantly explore new innovations and improvements to our armored fleet of protective vehicles,” the Secret Service added.
In September, the Homeland Security Department and Secret Service awarded GM a $14.8 million contract for development of the next-generation presidential limousine nicknamed “The Beast” that could be worth up to $40.8 million through 2029.
The contract was previously unreported.
The Secret Service on Friday posted a photo from the visit that included a Cadillac Escalade SUV outfitted with the presidential flag next to a large picture of the presidential seal. The president often travels in an armored Chevrolet Suburban.
The Secret Service said earlier this week it is not clear when the next presidential limousine will join the fleet.
“We are too far out to speak to any specific costs or dates,” a Secret Service spokesperson said. “Our engineering, protective operations and technical security teams work for years to develop the state-of-the-art framework that is used to produce these highly advanced vehicles.”
GM CEO Mary Barra met with President Donald Trump last week and discussed armored SUVs, a person briefed on the meeting said. The White House did not immediately comment.
In 2018, the Secret Service began using the latest version of the custom-built Cadillac presidential limousine after the prior version was introduced in 2009 just before Barack Obama took office.
Obama said in 2015 that the limo is “a Caddy basically on a tank frame” and added he “could call a nuclear submarine right here” from a phone in the car.
(Reporting by David ShepardsonEditing by Mark Potter)
