Cadillac Escalade is set to play a larger role in the presidential vehicle fleet after President Donald Trump said an order for 250 Escalades has been placed. The announcement follows a concept revealed by the U.S. Secret Service last year that showed a heavy-duty Escalade-based vehicle as General Motors secured a contract to build a new presidential limousine.
President Announces Escalade Order
During an hour-long address, President Trump said 250 Cadillac Escalades had been ordered.
“The one and only Escalade,” the President said. “You know we ordered, I think, 250 Escalades, right? We ordered 250 Escalades … We look sharp in those Escalades.”
The President also made several additional remarks criticizing the president of the United Auto Workers (UAW).
Order Could Exceed $22.5 Million
Based on an estimated starting price of about $90,000 per Cadillac Escalade, an order of 250 vehicles would be worth more than $22.5 million.
It has not been disclosed whether the vehicles will be standard Escalades for transportation duties or armored versions similar to the concept shown by the U.S. Secret Service last year. The report notes they are likely to receive at least some specialized modifications, making them more expensive than consumer models sold through Cadillac dealerships.
Heavy-Duty Platform Expected
Specifications have not been released, but the report says the vehicles will likely use General Motors heavy-duty pickup truck frames with large axles and armor.
According to the report, even a basic armored Cadillac Escalade can cost more than $300,000.
If the production vehicles closely resemble the concept previewed by the U.S. Secret Service, the exterior styling could retain Escalade design elements while sharing its underlying platform with the Chevrolet Suburbans currently in service.
Existing Secret Service Fleet
The report states that the U.S. Secret Service fleet also includes a large mobile command center bus, multiple Ford and Chevrolet SUVs, and at least one Terradyne Gurkha tactical vehicle built on a Ford Super Duty platform.
While technical details and final specifications have not been announced, President Trump’s comments indicate that a 250-vehicle Cadillac Escalade order has been placed as the U.S. Secret Service continues to expand and update its specialized fleet.
