When CEO Rick Wagoner begged congress for millions in taxpayer money for GM,people were unimpressed. The New York Time's Bill Vlasic wrote that Wagoner, "is seen as the leader of a company that has lost $20 billion." ("Chief Fights for G.M.’s Future and His Reputation", 11/18/08, B1.) GM has restored some of Wagoner's reputation by creating a gorgeous car for President Obama.
Cadillac One's Design
GM and the Secret Service have been quiet about the details of the new presidential limo, but the Secret Service issued a press release that revealed two pictures and some information.
- The limo will make its first appearance as part of the inauguration on January 20, 2009.
- Building and adding to the presidential fleet is an inauguration tradition.
- The Secret Service views the limousine as a "valuable asset" in offering the president and his companions "the highest level of protection".
- The vehicle is an "armored presidential limousine".
- The car has secure and coded communication systems.
General Motor's press release, "An American Tradition Continues: New Presidential Era Begins With a New Cadillac Presidential Limousine", offers more details:
- The car has purpose-built format (meaning it is built to specific design requests).
- The limo's grille and front and rear lighting are similar to the Escalade.
- The Cadillac One has already survived an "extreme testing regimen".
- The presidential seal appears in center of the rear seat back panel and on each rear door. Presidential seals are also affixed to the exterior rear doors.
- The U.S. flag and the Presidential flag will be displayed on the front fenders, with LED spotlights highlighting the flags at night.
The Newest World Leader has the Newest Car
The make and model should be easy for Barack Obama to remember when he needs to order replacement parts, because it is the first presidential car to be named, simply, "2009 Cadillac Presidential Limousine". It is a long drive from the Packard that Warren G. Harding rode to his inauguration.
Other world leader's might have a little auto-envy. In addition to the Prime Minister motorcade vehicles, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown uses a 2002 Vauxhall Omega, as The Independent's Ben Russell reported ("Brown Breaks Promise to Drive 'Green' Ministerial Car", 12/08/2006). French President Nicolas Sarkozy usually travels in a 2001 Cadillac DeSeville limo.
The Need for an Armored Presidential Vehicle
Ever since President Kennedy's assassination, open vehicles have shunned for presidential rides. Latvia's prime minister was injured when a minibus ran into his Mercedes (which was part of a motorcade) in 2008, and former Pakistani leader Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in her motorcade by a suicide car bomber in 2007. In addition to safety requirements, communications are also secured within vehicles. The Secret Service considers Cadillac One to be "the most technologically advanced protection vehicle in the world".
Instead of bringing an 11 page slide show to his plea for taxpayer money, perhaps Mr. Wagoner should have just brought a picture of Cadillac One, the presidential limousine designed especially for the 44th president. The few available pictures have shown that, given the need, money, and time, at least the Cadillac division of General Motors can work wonders.
Alex Sharp - Alex Sharp is a teacher who has been keeping Suite101 readers up to date with the latest in audio- and e-book gadgetry since 2008.
