New Fleet for the Presidential Motorcade
President Donald Trump announced that the White House has ordered 250 Cadillac Escalade vehicles to upgrade government security motorcades. This order is one of the largest single purchases of large Cadillacs by government agencies in recent years.
Trump made the announcement during a visit yesterday to the GM test center in Milford, Michigan. Addressing General Motors employees, suppliers, and officials, he praised the company’s vehicles and credited his administration with bringing thousands of jobs back to the US thanks to tariff policies.
Attention: details of armor and pricing
Visit to GM: Politics and Nostalgia
Trump thanked General Motors employees, calling them “the best group of people” and noting that such workers once built the country and are now making it “bigger, better, and stronger than ever.”
The President said that his father, Fred Trump, loved buying a new Cadillac every two years. He then greeted the GM team and mentioned that he had looked at several models, including the Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra, and the “world-famous Hummer,” asking CEO Mary Barra to send him “a few of them.”
“The one and only Escalade. You know, we ordered, I think, 250 Escalades, right? We ordered 250 Escalades… We look cool in these Escalades. Our guys are very spoiled. They are very spoiled. They like the Escalade. Me too. It was great to deal with General Motors…” — Donald Trump.
Trump’s statement is likely the official confirmation of the procurement program first reported in March 2025. At that time, the US Department of Homeland Security signed a $14.8 million contract with GM (with potential growth to $40.8 million by 2029) for the development of a new presidential limousine “The Beast” and supporting escort vehicles.
Technical Features and First Presidential Visit
The standard Escalade starts at $91,100, but the government fleet will look completely different. The motorcade SUVs are expected to use heavy-duty chassis with reinforced armor, bulletproof glass, and eight-lug hubs. In other words, they will be updated versions of the Chevrolet Suburbans long used by the Secret Service, but with Cadillac design.
Trump’s speech marked the first visit by a sitting US president to the iconic GM plant in Milford. The event was attended by GM Chair and CEO Mary Barra and GM President Mark Reuss. At the Black Lake facility, there were demonstration runs, including track displays with “energetic music over loudspeakers.”
According to GM, Trump watched drag races featuring sports cars like the Corvette ZR1X and GMC Hummer EV. He also inspected several military vehicles: the Heavy-Duty Tactical Truck Hybrid and Infantry Squad Vehicle from GM Defense, and sat in a Cadillac Celestiq.
Finally, the President autographed the hood of a 2026 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray in a special Stars & Steel Collection edition, created to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States.
This order for 250 armored Escalades not only updates the outdated Secret Service fleet but also demonstrates the administration’s close ties with the American auto industry. In fact, it is a shift from using Suburbans to the more prestigious and powerful Escalade, which may reflect a desire to emphasize status and technological superiority. The cost of such vehicles will, of course, be significantly higher than standard ones — considering armor, special communication systems, and protection. The contract with GM also strengthens the company’s position as a key supplier for government needs, particularly in producing the next-generation presidential limousine. The visit to Milford is not just a political gesture but also a recognition of the importance of testing facilities for national security and the economy.