In the wake of the "Arab spring" uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa, demand for armored sport utility vehicles and limousines is on the rise, according to a report from Reuters.
"It's a murky market and it's hard to get any exact figures," said Jon Hawkes, senior analyst for military vehicles at industry consultancy IHS Jane's, according to Reuters. "But companies are talking about a 30-40 percent increase in sales in the last four or five years. The big auto manufacturers are increasingly realizing there is money to be made but the main area of growth is probably at the other end of the spectrum."
The is no shortage of rich individuals and governments who feel the need for extra protection in countries where there are gaps in wealth and social unrest in the aftermath of the Arab spring revolts.
The "gold standard" for armored vehicles is an a black Cadillac limousine like the one used by U.S. President Barack Obama, Reuters reported. Obama's armor vehicle, known as "The Beast," is said to weigh several tons and have its own defense weaponry and air supply in the even of an attack.
Several major carmakers, including Jaguar Land Rover, BMW and Mercedes-Benz make armored versions of their key models. But most of the industry is comprised of companies who retrofit vehicles with armor.
Prices vary, but an armored Toyota Land Cruiser, for instance, can cost $150,000, more than three times the cost of a non-armored version, the article stated. The Land Cruiser has become a favorite vehicle for outfitting with armor.
Selling armored vehicles to governments is a lucrative business.
"We've had a lot of interest," said John Lashmar, director of marketing and business development at armored vehicle company Ares. "Interior ministries, presidential protection details, companies and individuals in the Gulf and beyond."
Requests to armor and bullet-proof sports cars come through occasionally as well. A U.S. company, Lascos Group, said it will armor a Ferrari for $100,000 plus the cost of the vehicle. The aluminum armor, however, would only be enough to stop a handgun, the report said.
"Sometimes it can be seen as a lifestyle item," said Hawkes at IHS. "These buyers are much less concerned about exactly how bullet-proof a vehicle might be."
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