GM to Manufacture New 'Beast' for US President, Provide Secret Service with Chevrolets Disguised as Escalades | Carscoops
Last week, the Director of the Secret Service met with GM executives in Michigan to discuss the agency's new SUVs and the President's limousine.
Insiders have indicated that GM CEO Mary Barra discussed the armored SUVs with President Donald Trump. Additionally, GM is in the process of developing a new presidential limousine as part of a $14.8 million contract.
Traditionally, when observing a fleet of dark, imposing SUVs transporting prominent figures in America, they were likely Chevrolet Suburbans in their (super) heavy-duty versions. However, change is imminent, marked by a new emblem. The US Secret Service is currently considering a different vehicle for its next generation of armored transport, replacing the familiar Chevy emblem with Cadillac’s crest.
Reports suggest that ongoing discussions with GM involve creating a new fleet of armored SUVs that will maintain the framework of the Chevy Suburban but will feature Cadillac Escalade badges and styling. Furthermore, GM is working on the next version of the presidential limousine, although projects involving custom, heavily armored vehicles often require time before they yield tangible results.
The discussions regarding the new SUV fleet took place last week at GM’s Global Design Center in Warren, Michigan, where Sean Curran, the head of the Secret Service, met with GM executives to explore potential improvements.
Photos from the event were posted by the agency on social media, which TheDrive speculates show a modified version of GM Defense’s Suburban Shield designed to resemble the Cadillac Escalade. The full-size SUV is equipped with thick-wall tires and displays both the presidential and U.S. flags on the hood. Anticipated upgrades may include armored glass, reinforced body panels, and advanced technology systems within the cabin.
The US Secret Service shared the following statement on Facebook:
“Transporting our leaders and dignitaries necessitates ongoing innovation. As threats evolve, we continue to investigate emerging technologies to guarantee that our armored vehicles provide the highest level of safety for our protectees. This week, Secret Service Director Sean Curran met with GM executives to discuss advancements that could enhance the next generation of armored SUVs.”
According to insider sources from the meeting, Reuters reported that GM CEO Mary Barra has already met with President Donald Trump to discuss the vehicles. In recent years, the U.S. Secret Service has depended on modified versions of various SUVs, such as the Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe, Ford Explorer and Expedition, and Dodge Durango.
Next Generation of ‘The Beast’ Under Development
In addition to the SUVs that will serve as support vehicles, General Motors is also working on a more complex project: a successor to the presidential limousine, widely known as “The Beast.” Reuters reports that GM secured a $14.8 million contract in September 2024 from the Department of Homeland Security and the Secret Service to develop this new model, a detail that has not been reported previously. The total costs may reach as much as $40.8 million by the time the vehicles are delivered by 2029.
Details regarding this project remain confidential, although a spokesperson for the Secret Service told Reuters, “Our engineering, protective operations, and technical security teams work for years to create the state-of-the-art framework necessary to produce these highly advanced vehicles,” adding that, “We are too far out to discuss any specific costs or timelines.”
The current presidential limousine debuted in 2018, designed as a custom Cadillac sedan built on a chassis derived from the GMC TopKick heavy-duty truck. It weighs approximately 20,000 pounds (around 9,100 kg) and is constructed to endure a variety of threats that most individuals would hope to never face. In comparison, earlier iterations of “The Beast” were introduced in 2001 and 2009, each enhancing protection and technology features.
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GM to Manufacture New 'Beast' for US President, Provide Secret Service with Chevrolets Disguised as Escalades | Carscoops
Last week in Michigan, the Director of the Secret Service held a meeting with GM executives to talk about the agency's new SUVs and the President's limousine.