While US demand for high-end armoured cars from brands such as Lincoln and Cadillac has increased since September 11, Europe is also seeing a boom due to growing security fears and the war in Iraq, according to Automotive News Europe.
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Figures are not easily come by since most marques — notably Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar and Range Rover — pass their cars on to specialist companies for post-manufacturing treatment.
But Audi, with its own special armouring division, sheds some light on the armoured car market. From a steady one-unit-a-month output, the German carmaker’s order book has soared to 90 with a waiting list of 18 months, said Martin Gillet, product manager at Audi UK.
To armour models such as the A8, the vehicles are taken at frame stage to the armouring division. Bulletproof glazing is added and body panels made of steel and flame-resistant Aramid fibres are individually tailored to take up the tiniest tolerances, Gillet says.
Audi says its main European target audience for armoured vehicles — in addition to political and military figures — comprises the 130 individuals said to be euro billionaires.
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