From Escalade to Maybach: What is the President's current motorpool?

PBBM's official State Cars: From ultra luxury to ultra rugged

Presidents, prime ministers, and other world leaders travel mostly in advanced vehicles available for two key reasons: they are a symbol of national power, and they provide the necessary layer of unparalleled security.

A prime example of a modern state car is the US President’s official vehicle, famously known as “The Beast.” Built on a heavy-duty GMC TopKick truck chassis, it is disguised as a luxurious Cadillac limousine. The vehicle is fortified with the most advanced armor and security measures the United States can produce, creating a mobile fortress that blends into a luxurious aesthetic.

Similarly, our very own President, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., gets to his official duties on board state cars that are both luxurious and secure. Based on the available information from the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), we list down PBBM’s official state cars.

American made

President Bongbong’s preference for American-made cars could be a reflection of his formative years. Growing up during a time when the Philippines was heavily influenced by US culture and products, it is believed he developed a taste for the same automobiles favored by his late father, the former president.

During many of his official travels, the President is frequently seen arriving in a Lincoln Continental Coach Door Edition. This vehicle is distinguished by its unique coach doors, which are hinged at the rear rather than the front—a design colloquially referred to as suicide doors.

With a production run limited to just 150 units, the Lincoln Continental Coach Door Edition is a highly exclusive vehicle. This all-wheel-drive saloon is powered by a 3.0L twin-turbo V6 engine, capable of producing at least 406 PS and 542 Nm of torque. As the official car bearing the “Philippines 1” license plate, it will naturally been equipped with all kinds of advanced security and protective features, possibly including engine mods as well to give it more oomph, tailored for presidential use.

The other American in the President’s stable is a heavily armored Cadillac Escalade ESV, chosen for its imposing size and capability. To handle the substantial weight of its protective features, this model is speculated to be the version equipped with a more powerful 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine, which is paired with a 10-speed transmission.

German engineering

The President’s car preferences extend beyond his reported fondness for American-made vehicles. He also maintains an appreciation for the sophistication and ultra-luxury engineering for which German automobiles are globally renowned.

Included in the President’s inventory is a Mercedes-Maybach S 680. According to Maybach, the S 680’s 6.0-liter V12 engine is handcrafted to perfection by its engineers, and has an output of up to 621 PS and a whopping 900 Nm of torque.

Of course, this vehicle is probably customized with all the amenities of a VIP limousine along with the standard protection. What is not sure is whether the protection modifications were carried out here, by a third party abroad, or by Mercedes-Maybach as part of the "Guard" series of armored VIP vehicles.

The best of Japan

The Toyota Land Cruiser has long been considered the pinnacle of 4x4 ruggedness and reliability. Its reputation as a highly capable and durable vehicle makes it a popular choice for those who can afford it worldwide, and the President’s use of a Land Cruiser is no exception to this trend.

For travels that demand exceptional dependability, President Marcos Jr. has been seen using an armored Land Cruiser 300. The vehicle’s reputation as a rugged and reliable 4x4 makes it a strategic choice for routes or in places outside of Metro Manila where a vehicle’s performance and uncompromised security are of paramount importance.

Also, during the early days of his presidency, PBBM was seen riding on a Land Cruiser 200 Series.

While the presidential fleet includes modern, armored SUVs, nothing is more trusted for tackling severe conditions than a Nissan Patrol GQ. This was demonstrated during the July 2025 widespread flooding, where the President chose to navigate the affected areas in a 30-year-old Nissan Patrol powered by its good ol’ fashioned rotary injection pump diesel engine.

While the Presidential Security Group (PSG) once operated a fleet of similar rugged vehicles, the lifted Nissan Patrol used by the President was distinct. Equipped with a snorkel and visibly lacking VIP armoring, the vehicle was likely provided by a local official to facilitate the President’s visit to a flood-affected evacuation area.

Anyway, any vehicle that the President boards becomes the “Philippines 1.”