By Grant Schwab, The Detroit News
Members of the U.S. Secret Service visited a General Motors Co. facility in Michigan this week to discuss armored vehicles that transport the president and members of his administration, the agency said Friday.
“The U.S. Secret Service is always exploring emerging technology to enhance our protective operations,” spokesperson Nate Herring said in an emailed statement. “Director (Sean) Curran’s visit to the General Motors Tech Center in Warren, Michigan, was to discuss new advancements that could benefit the next generation of armored SUVs.”
The visit came amid concerns from the Detroit automaker and its competitors about how President Donald Trump’s tariffs and tariff threats against U.S. trade partners would upend the global automotive business.
GM — along with Michigan rivals Ford Motor Co. and Stellantis NV — successfully lobbied Trump to pause planned 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico earlier in the month. Since then, GM CEO Mary Barra met with Trump personally in Washington and, according to the president, said the company was considering $60 billion in new U.S. investments.
“We’re proud to showcase U.S. Secret Service – Washington Field Office next generation armored protected mobility that helps keep our leaders and dignitaries safe,” the company’s defense arm wrote in a Friday LinkedIn post.
GM’s production of presidential limousines predates the current administration by several decades. The company has made a state car for each of the past five presidents — including Trump in his first term — under the Cadillac nameplate.
The company’s current award from the federal government to produce presidential vehicles came at the tail end of former President Joe Biden’s administration. According to a federal database, GM received $14.8 million from the Secret Service in September 2024 for “next generation limousines.” The award could eventually total $41 million by the end of 2029.
The agency declined to offer more specifics about its meeting with GM. “The U.S. Secret Service employs a variety of vehicle platforms,” Herring said. “Due to operational security, we are unable to discuss the means and methods used for our protective operations.”
Trump has previously talked about his affinity for Cadillacs. During a September campaign event in Warren, he responded to a question about his favorite car by saying that his father Fred loved Cadillacs.
“My father was a great guy, I learned so much from him, and he loved Cadillac. His biggest luxury in life was to get a brand new, dark-blue Cadillac every two years,” Trump said. “My father liked Cadillacs, so that’s good enough for me.”