Official state car facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

An official state car is a special automobile used by a government to transport its most important leaders, like a country's head of state or head of government. These cars are also sometimes used for other government officials or important visitors from other countries. Some nations, such as the United States, Russia, and Japan, even bring their own special cars when their leaders visit other countries. These vehicles are more than just transport; they are also a symbol of the leader and their country. An official state car must be very safe, capable, and look important for its job. Often, a limousine or another very fancy and strong vehicle is chosen.

Due to the high importance of the passengers, these vehicles are often made extra strong and protected. Car manufacturers or special companies add armor to them. When we say "armored car" here, we mean a regular car made super tough, not a military tank or truck. When an important person is inside, state vehicles might be surrounded by a group of other special cars and people, like police or military, called a motorcade. The driver of the car is usually a highly trained officer from law enforcement or the military. For example, the driver for the U.S. President is an expert agent from the Secret Service. The British prime minister is driven by a special officer from the Metropolitan Police Service, and the Canadian prime minister has a Protective Services officer from the RCMP.

Sometimes, these special cars have regular license plates, but other times they use unique plates or no plates at all.

How Countries Choose Their Cars
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How Countries Choose Their Cars

In countries that build their own cars, the government will usually ask one of their national car companies to provide a state car. Sometimes, several companies provide cars for an official government fleet. This is a big honor for a car maker and shows that the government trusts its own country's industry.

For example:

The President of the United States currently uses a Cadillac with special hidden safety features, built by General Motors. In the past, American presidents also used cars from Lincoln (made by Ford Motor Company) and Chrysler.
Leaders of the Soviet Union used special limousines made by the ZiL company. After the Soviet Union ended, Russian presidents used Mercedes-Benz S-Class cars. However, in 2018, President Vladimir Putin ordered a new official state car from a Russian company.
In 2018, the Government of South Korea chose a specially modified Hyundai Nexo SUV to be its official state car.
The emperor of Japan uses a Toyota Century.
The prime minister of Italy uses a Maserati.
The president of the Czech Republic rides in a Škoda Superb.
The British monarch uses a Bentley.
The president of France can choose cars from Renault or PSA Peugeot Citroën.
In Germany, officials use cars from major German brands like Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Volkswagen Group.
The prime minister of India uses a Land Rover Sentinel, which is a very safe version, because Jaguar and Land Rover are owned by Tata Motors, an Indian company.

Countries that don't have their own big car manufacturers often buy official state cars from nations they have strong economic and diplomatic ties with. For instance, Canada typically uses state cars made by the "Detroit Three" (American companies), many of which are built in Canadian factories. This shows the long-standing relationship between Canada and American car makers.

Images for kids

Former president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner in a Volkswagen CC going to Casa Rosada after assuming her second term in 2011.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class W221 of the former Armenian president Serzh Sargsyan during the visit of the Armenian delegation to Moscow State University in 2011.
The Rolls-Royce Phantom VI used as the ceremonial state car in 2015 for the Governor-General of Australia.
The Australian prime minister's BMW 7 Series, January 2017.
BMW 7 Series of the Austrian president in 2021.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class of the Azerbaijani president in 2015.
King Philippe in a BMW 7 Series in 2012.
Dilma Rousseff riding in the ceremonial state car, the Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith during the Independence Day parade in 2012.
The motorcade of Queen Elizabeth II in Winnipeg in 2010. The queen's car, second in line, is a Lincoln Town Car bearing her Canadian royal standard.
The Ford Galaxie has been Chile's ceremonial presidential car since 1970.
The presidential motorcade for the president of Colombia includes armoured BMW 7 series, and several Toyota Land Cruisers.
A Škoda Superb used by the Czech President.
"Store Krone" in 2018, followed by two Daimler DS420 limousines from the Danish royal fleet.
Daihatsu Taruna used by Xanana Gusmão in 2018.
The presidential state car of Finland features the coat of arms of Finland on its number plate.
The Citroën DS5 used by François Hollande as his presidential state vehicle, in July 2012.
Mercedes-Benz S-Class W221 of the Georgian president arriving to the presidential palace in 2016.
The armored Mercedes-Benz W221 used by the president of Germany, with number plates 0 ⁑ 1.
Daimler DS420 of the Lieutenant Governor of Guernsey in 2012.
BMW 7 Series, the Official car of the Chief Executive of Hong Kong in 2021.
Volvo S80 Limousine owned by the Israeli government in 2011.
The Lancia Flaminia 355 Presidenziale, a vehicle commissioned by Italy in 1960, and still used as a presidential vehicle.
The official state car for the governor-general of Jamaica is a BMW 740Li, featuring a license plate bearing the Crown.
The Toyota Century Royal is a specially prepared custom car built for the Japanese imperial family. It features the imperial logo in place of a license plate.
Chrysler Town & Country of the Lieutenant governor of Jersey featuring its standard in 2009.
The Mercedes S-Class of the Latvian president in 2015.
The car of the monarch of Liechtenstein in Vaduz in 2018.
The grand duke of Luxembourg exiting from his Audi A8, in May 2023.
Rolls-Royce Phantom of Abdul Halim of Kedah, 14th Yang di-Pertuan Agong, in 2013.
A Volvo S80 limousine of the royal household in the Netherlands.
The state car of the Governor-General of New Zealand, a Jaguar XJ, in 2010.
2016 BMW 7-Series (G11) used as the prime minister's state car in New Zealand.
An example of a Mercedes-Benz W100 Landaulet.
Norwegian license plate that reads A-9. Official state cars of the Norwegian royal family typically feature a license plate numbered from A-1 to A-9.
Aurus Senat limousine in use during the 2018 inauguration of Vladimir Putin.
Audi A8s of the two heads of state of San Marino in 2024.
A Mercedes-Benz belonging to the Slovakian Office for the Protection of Constitutional Officials and Diplomatic Missions in 2013.
EQ900 and G90 are used as presidential state cars in South Korea.
Mercedes-Maybach W222 S600 Guard used as an official presidential state car in South Korea.
Two Rolls-Royce Phantom IV cars, used for state ceremonies in Spain.
A Daimler DS420 limousine is used for major state ceremonies in Sweden.
The presidential motorcade for Ma Ying-jeou, which features several BMW 7 Series.
A Rolls-Royce Phantom VI carrying Vajiralongkorn to an event in 2012.
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan greets people from a 1957 Cadillac Series 75 on Victory Day in 2014.
A Mercedes-Benz M-Class Popemobile designed to create greater visibility of the Pope during public appearances.
Queen Elizabeth II being driven in her Bentley State Limousine during a state visit to Germany, 2015.
A current-model US presidential state car in front of the headquarters of the United Nations (September 2018).
Pindad MV 3 Garuda is the official car of the President of Republic of Indonesia since 2024.
The presidential state car for Singapore in 2024.
The Tesla Model S is used as the official car of the Chief Minister of Gibraltar.

Official state car facts for kids

Contents

How Countries Choose Their Cars

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