[veyron_head]

Our president rides in S Class pullman. It would be very impartial if our PM rides in a scorpio or safari. As someone else suggested, the Jag would be the best of both worlds. Its an Indian brand with European/british quality.

[Miel]

Originally Posted by GTO

Completely understandable if our PM moves to the more sophisticated, safer fleet of BMWs.

Personally, it would make me happier to see him using an Indian car. Rather than the cramped & bumpy Scorpio, a spacious & comfortable Safari Storme would be far more apt.

I think a beefed up shiny black triad of Indian Safaris, within a convoy of the German cars all around would be quite striking. The message - The PM loves Indian cars for himself, meanwhile the entourage can use the "lesser" German cars

[amolbh]

Originally Posted by veyron_head

Our president rides in S Class pullman. It would be very impartial if our PM rides in a scorpio or safari. As someone else suggested, the Jag would be the best of both worlds. Its an Indian brand with European/british quality.

Exactly! And an early 2000s car doesn't give the 'Prime Minister' image. Jaguars would be the best choice.

From Wikipedia:

It is considered an honour for a car manufacturer to be selected to provide a state car for their respective country and a demonstration of the confidence of a government in their national industry.

The Prime Minister, the head of the government, uses two black, B7-level armored 2009 BMW 7 Series High Security saloons, with one of them acting as a decoy vehicle. It is specially designed to deflect any heat seeking missiles and bombs. It also has state-of-the-art communication and protection systems and a gas-proof chamber for protection against gas attacks. These vehicles also have a protected fuel tank that does not explode when damaged. It also has its own oxygen supply. The Prime Minister's lead protective agent (from SPG) usually sits in the front passenger seat. These are escorted by the SPG in five armored black BMW X5s and multiple Tata Safaris and a jammer which are a permanent part of the Prime Minister's convoy.

More: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Official_state_car

[PPS]

Since JLR is an Indian brand now, my vote would go for the bullet proof LWB Range Rover Vogue!

Meanwhile, talking of Mahindra, the Maharashtra government made a VVIP from another country travel in a Bullet proof Bolero sometime last year since they did not have any other suitable bullet proof car. Do not know whether they have upgraded or not!

[SmartCat]

I just hope the driver drives carefully since SUVs are prone to rollovers. Most politician cavalcade speeds are quite excessive. They spend awful lot of time on the road, and hence is a huge risk

There should be a resolution in the parliament to fit speed governors on all politician cars - for their own safety.

[sudeep.pandya]

I wish to see him in a matte white Tata Safari / XUV5OO surrounded by black BMWs and Germans.

There should be 3 set of them in a convoy without knowing in which car the PM is on board. That is how they do in US (All 3 Limousine carry same reg number) so that no body can tell in which car he is sitting.

[veyron_head]

Originally Posted by veyron_head

Our president rides in S Class pullman. It would be very impartial if our PM rides in a scorpio or safari.

My bad! sorry meant 'partial' not impartial.

Originally Posted by smartcat

I just hope the driver drives carefully since SUVs are prone to rollovers. Most politician cavalcade speeds are quite excessive. They spend awful lot of time on the road, and hence is a huge risk

There should be a resolution in the parliament to fit speed governors on all politician cars - for their own safety.

Installing speed governors would be a disaster in case of an emergency, if a situation warrants driving faster.

BTW, why is Mahindra trying push the Scorpio, of all their cars? They could try selling the Rexton instead.

[Mpower]

I think Modi should get himself a bulletproof Jag or Range Rover. Owned by Indian company.

Scorp is ancient and a bad choice. At the very least, XUV500

[swiftnfurious]

I agree with a whole lot that the Indian PM should be seen in an Indian branded vehicle. Since Jag is owned by TATA, I too would prefer this option. Luxury & comfort, with the tag of an Indian manufacturer. I would be elated if I see "Made by TATA" or "Owned by TATA" stickering somewhere prominent.

Could the thread title be corrected to "PM's (Narendra Modi) Official Ride" for better clarity?

Off-Topic:

Originally Posted by msdivy

...SPG already have a fleet customized BMWs...

Do they also have a provision for a flat-bed truck at the end of the convoy?

[DWind]

I would say..lets maintain Status quo! Why spend unnecessary amount in security proofing another set of vehicles when the existing fleet suits fine.

[desdemona]

Methinks the new PM should move around anonymously in unmarked, totally ordinary cars, if 'anonymity' rather than showiness better ensures security and causes fewer inconveniences to ordinary citizens. This Hollywood 'cavalcade of high security CIA and FBI agents' image is impractical, endangers security, and is obscene in civil democracies. Arvind K is right to decry the laal-batti culture perpetrated by all big political men (and a few women) of our 'democratic' nation.

The new PM does not need such ostentatious crutches to further enhance his beefy image. Indira Gandhi, to whom Modi is often compared, before the Emergency, when she was undisputed top-dog, used to often move around unescorted in a single, simple, unmarked Ambassador. My grandparents often noticed her in her car in the light traffic prevalent back then in New Delhi. Anonymity is even more essential now, for security and convenience.

I seem to remember watching on Doordarshan: Rajiv Gandhi driving himself, Rayban-s on, to parliament in a Mahindra?

Remember, too, the way both were assassinated: bullent-proof BMW-s/Range Rovers/Safari Storme-s could not have saved them.

All of the above: imHo.

My, er, 'vote' then: the same sort of cars senior bureaucrats, judges, and military folk are chauffered in: Maruti SX4's, previous gen Safari-s, Scorpio-s, Bolero-s, Sumo-s.

[SamarthMehrotra]

Whatever may be the car chosen but I love the sight of the pack of Silver Scorpios racing about in Modi's cavalcade.....

[ku69rd]

It would be wonderful if NaMo goes to work in the Mahindra Scorpio itself with suitably amended to meet his security essentials. As is, His Scorpio is making news and it will be wonderful boost for the Indian Auto Companies.

[Warwithwheels]

I wish the ModiJi takes the German luxury route. It just doesn't make the cut, for a top man of the country to travel in a Scorpio. Moreover the rear seat comfort is a very big let down.

On a related note, what vehicles do the politicos use when they travel out of state? Do they get their vehicles air lifted?

I have seen CMs from the southern part of India using the same model of vehicles when they make their visit to Delhi.

[one-77]

On a similar note, the new Telengana CM has got himself two bulletproofed Prados at 4 Crores and a convoy of black Toyota Fortuners.




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