Part 2 of Picture gallery: Lexus honoured as official state car in 20 countries
Continuing from Part 1 where we reviewed briefly the process of selecting an official state car, here we explore the next 20 official head of state cars driven by leaders of the free world and ask:
What does it mean to be chosen to supply these vehicles?
It is considered the highest honour bestowed upon an automotive manufacturer to be chosen to supply an official state car. This prestige that comes with it extends far beyond functionality as a mode of transportation; it becomes a national symbol of the people, portraying the unified image of strength and supremacy of that nation, as well as an image the country's subjects and the global community can invest their trust in.
Countries that have indigenous automobile manufacturers normally choose their nationally-made cars to show their support. If this is not an option, the government will purchase an official state car from an automobile manufacturer originating in a country with whom it shares warm diplomatic ties and strong bilateral trade. Exceptions are observed wherein a country with a national auto industry nonetheless opts to commission an official state car from another country.
For the first 10 head of state cars, click here.
Head of State Cars (continued)
11. Japan
Even though Japan exports two other luxury brands - the Acura and Infiniti - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe trusts Lexus as his official state car. His personal choice? An armoured Lexus LS 600h L, seen here in Kuala Lumpur during the recent 2015 ASEAN summit.
12. Malaysia
Lexus is a popular choice among Sultans of Malaysia. Most of what you see is the Lexus LS 600h L. For a change, I decided to show what the Sultan of Pahang is driven in: A previous generation Lexus LX.
13. Morocco
The King of Morocco, Muhammad VI, has a fleet of cars meant for the rugged terrain he crosses to meet his subjects. He has a range of Lexus to suit different occasions.
14. Monaco
It is well documented that Prince Albert II of Monaco has an affinity towards Lexus. We wrote in an article about the Top 10 Most Expensive Lexus ever made, and the Lexus LS 600h L Landaulet he commissioned for his wedding to Charlene Wittstock counts towards his preference for Lexus. Of course, the Landaulet isn't a practical car as an everyday ride, so he has a special Lexus LS 600h L for this purpose. Oh, and his escorting vehicles? They drive the Lexus LS 600h too.
15. Mongolia
The President of Mongolia is known to love his cars, having no fewer than five official state cars at his service. For trips to the mountains and Mongolian plateaus, he uses a Lexus LX 570.
16. Norway
Harald V, the King of Norway, changes cars according to venue and function and it is reported he sometimes does the driving himself. Among his favourite cars is the Lexus LS 600h L.
17. Philippines
Benigno Aquino III is not your regular President. Known as a down-to-earth every-man, the President of the Philippines does not use the siren when travelling in a convoy. He also observes traffic rules like other motorists and stops at the red light just like everyone else. His vehicle of choice is the Lexus LX 570. What a great leader!
18. Singapore
Lee Hsien Loong, the Prime Minister of Singapore usually travels in a white Lexus LS 600h L. The Office of the Prime Minister of Singapore has three of these.
19. Thailand
Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, daughter to the King of Thailand, is personally chauferred in an armoured Lexus LS 600h L when attending state functions.
20. Vietnam
Truong Tan Sang, the President of Vietnam, apparently has as love for fast cars. Of course, he is not allowed to show them in public. Rather, he settles for the Lexus LS 600h L to take him around for his official duties.
What does it mean to be chosen to supply these vehicles?
It is considered the highest honour bestowed upon an automotive manufacturer to be chosen to supply an official state car. This prestige that comes with it extends far beyond functionality as a mode of transportation; it becomes a national symbol of the people, portraying the unified image of strength and supremacy of that nation, as well as an image the country's subjects and the global community can invest their trust in.
Countries that have indigenous automobile manufacturers normally choose their nationally-made cars to show their support. If this is not an option, the government will purchase an official state car from an automobile manufacturer originating in a country with whom it shares warm diplomatic ties and strong bilateral trade. Exceptions are observed wherein a country with a national auto industry nonetheless opts to commission an official state car from another country.
For the first 10 head of state cars, click here.
Head of State Cars (continued)
11. Japan
Even though Japan exports two other luxury brands - the Acura and Infiniti - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe trusts Lexus as his official state car. His personal choice? An armoured Lexus LS 600h L, seen here in Kuala Lumpur during the recent 2015 ASEAN summit.
12. Malaysia
Lexus is a popular choice among Sultans of Malaysia. Most of what you see is the Lexus LS 600h L. For a change, I decided to show what the Sultan of Pahang is driven in: A previous generation Lexus LX.
13. Morocco
The King of Morocco, Muhammad VI, has a fleet of cars meant for the rugged terrain he crosses to meet his subjects. He has a range of Lexus to suit different occasions.
14. Monaco
It is well documented that Prince Albert II of Monaco has an affinity towards Lexus. We wrote in an article about the Top 10 Most Expensive Lexus ever made, and the Lexus LS 600h L Landaulet he commissioned for his wedding to Charlene Wittstock counts towards his preference for Lexus. Of course, the Landaulet isn't a practical car as an everyday ride, so he has a special Lexus LS 600h L for this purpose. Oh, and his escorting vehicles? They drive the Lexus LS 600h too.
15. Mongolia
The President of Mongolia is known to love his cars, having no fewer than five official state cars at his service. For trips to the mountains and Mongolian plateaus, he uses a Lexus LX 570.
16. Norway
Harald V, the King of Norway, changes cars according to venue and function and it is reported he sometimes does the driving himself. Among his favourite cars is the Lexus LS 600h L.
17. Philippines
Benigno Aquino III is not your regular President. Known as a down-to-earth every-man, the President of the Philippines does not use the siren when travelling in a convoy. He also observes traffic rules like other motorists and stops at the red light just like everyone else. His vehicle of choice is the Lexus LX 570. What a great leader!
18. Singapore
Lee Hsien Loong, the Prime Minister of Singapore usually travels in a white Lexus LS 600h L. The Office of the Prime Minister of Singapore has three of these.
19. Thailand
Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, daughter to the King of Thailand, is personally chauferred in an armoured Lexus LS 600h L when attending state functions.
20. Vietnam
Truong Tan Sang, the President of Vietnam, apparently has as love for fast cars. Of course, he is not allowed to show them in public. Rather, he settles for the Lexus LS 600h L to take him around for his official duties.
I hope you've enjoyed reading this 2-part series as much as I have writing it (for part 1 of this article, click here). Have you noticed the preference for the Lexus LS 600h L? Perhaps this is because of its strong environmental credentials.
Concern for global climate change necessitates that leaders who espouse the highest ideals for the environment also drive vehicles that demonstrate their commitment towards this cause. Plenty of heads of states are driven in the Lexus LX 570 and this is possibly due to geographical terrain; in rugged mountainous regions, a reliable 4x4 is the chariot of choice.
Concern for global climate change necessitates that leaders who espouse the highest ideals for the environment also drive vehicles that demonstrate their commitment towards this cause. Plenty of heads of states are driven in the Lexus LX 570 and this is possibly due to geographical terrain; in rugged mountainous regions, a reliable 4x4 is the chariot of choice.
But the Prime Minister of Israel and his Lexus IS 250? That, I have no words for. :-D
Hope you enjoyed it guys!
Cheers.
All Lexus
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