[prmd_cochin]

SPG will be using the same set of seven BMW 7 series for Modiji as was used for Dr.MM. They will be increasing the number of dummy 7 series to 3 making the entire fleet strength to 8. This is apart from the Safari jammer and mercdes ambulance. The PM dont have a say in what car they travel in, its the SPG that decides.

[noblecr]

PM's official ride
source: The Economic Times fb page.

[e46]

The PM finally chose, if at all there had been any confusion, the BMW 760 security edition. Its good to show Nationalist sentiments, but lets face it, Mahindra has still a very long way to go before being so optimist as to persuade a State dignitary to use their cars.

Just my point of view

[lurker]

Originally Posted by prmd_cochin

The PM dont have a say in what car they travel in, its the SPG that decides.

that's not correct. The PM can leave the decision to his security providers, as in this case. Otherwise he is free to make whatever choice he wants. This isn't high priority, so the current setup has continued, but maybe after 3-4 years you may see a fleet of XUV also.

[ajmat]

Well, the last time a PM or rather PM candidate ignored SPG advice, he got blown up. The SPG can override the PM. The US Secret Service can also do the same for the President.

[gsurya]

Originally Posted by ajmat

Well, the last time a PM or rather PM candidate ignored SPG avice, he got blown up. The SPG can override the PM. The US Secret Service can also do the same for the President.

Actually, Chandrasekhar Govt, when Subramaniam Swamy was law minister, withdrew the SPG cover to Rajiv Gandhi who was ex-PM then, refusing to extend the SPG law to former PMs, despite the well known threat.

SPG Act was then amended in 1991 after Rajiv Gandhi assassination to include former PMs too for 5 years.

[atlantis0965]

hi
Since it is the job of the SPG it is right that they make the decisions and not fall for the whims and fancies of others ; especially the media!

[prmd_cochin]

Originally Posted by lurker

that's not correct. The PM can leave the decision to his security providers, as in this case. Otherwise he is free to make whatever choice he wants. This isn't high priority, so the current setup has continued, but maybe after 3-4 years you may see a fleet of XUV also.

The SPG decides it. Once the profiling is done, and 2 make a cut then the PM can select, but the PM cant come in and say to SPG i need this car as my drive. The increasing threats is what made SPG move from fleet of safaris to 7 series. XUV will look good.

[vivekgk]

A wise decision. Especially in these tough times it would have been irresponsible to switch to a new fleet just for sentimental reasons.

[gsurya]

Will be interesting to see how the media spins this now that Modi is PM.. last year they said Manmohan was not being 'austere' with his fleet of cars!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/indiahome...IFTY-cars.html

[lionell]

Well the idea here would be. Why replace something that ain't broken!

[StepUP!]

Came across this article
http://www.gqindia.com/drive/what-heads-state-drive

Ever wondered what kind of cars ferried around the leaders of the free world? Well, we found out for you.
Narendra Modi's BMW


Though we always expect Indian ministers to travel in white ambassadors with red lights, the Prime Minister gets what you could call preferrential treatment. When he won the office of the most powerful man in India, Narendra Modi traded in his trusty Mahindra Scorpio for a BMW 7 Series 760 Li Security edition. This hyper-fortified vehicle can withstand attacks from AK-47 bullets, blunt objects and bombs. It also features an intercom system, which allows the PM to call for back-up.


Barack Obama's Cadillac


His popularity ratings may have plunged lower than the Mariana Trench but Barack Obama’s Cadillac limo, nicknamed “The Beast”, is still a crowd puller. Rumour has it the doors weigh as much as those on a Boeing 757, and it’s got grenade launchers, tear gas cannisters and even phials of Obama’s blood tucked into the body of the car. David Cameron's Jaguar


David Cameron rides in a specially armoured Jaguar XJ Sentinel. This car has been tested to withstand bombs packing up to 15kgs of TNT. It also has special gunports, to allow his bodyguards to return fire if Cameron were to come under attack. Interestingly, the XJ Senitel was first launched in Russia, where oligarchs book it in bulk.

Angela Merkel's Audi


Last year, when Angela Merkel attended the European Summit in Brussels, she rocked up in an Audi A8 with a 007 number plate. Why? Well, three days earlier, Merkel had called Obama and told him that America’s spying on her was completely unacceptable. What can we say? M always gets the last word.

[Turbanator]

Here's complete list , dont know about 007 thing but she does has an Audi A8 with license plate 0-2 besides 0-1 an armored Mercedes-Benz S600

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

[ajmat]

Last weekend, during the E Class drive, I was chatting to Michael Joop, VP Sales and Marketing, Mercedes Benz.

I suggested that with Mercedes having invested the most, compared to the other luxury brands, and also creating local specific cars with significant local content, they should pitch a Mercedes Guard for the Prime Minister to reciprocate their efforts in the Made in India programme.

His response (with a very mischevious glint in his eye) "Wait and see!"

A Maybach S600 + GLE63 Guards perhaps? My speculation!

[funkydevil]

Just saw yesterday that the PM's fleet now includes a couple of Range Rover sentinels.



Also noticed this post on FB from Mercedes Benz India.



Nice Touch !!!