Latest news with #Armormax
TimesLIVE
09-05-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
What it's like to drive a bulletproof Armormax Toyota Prado
The company armours about seven cars a month for politicians, entrepreneurs and other wealthy clients seeking protection on crime-ravaged roads. Large SUVs such as the Prado, Toyota Land Cruiser and Land Rover Defender are among the most popular vehicles that come into the company's Northriding workshop. Armormax also offers high-grade B6 protection designed to stop high-powered rifle bullets. Armormax is an original equipment manufacturer partner to brands including BMW, Audi, Jaguar, Ford, Land Rover, Nissan and Mahindra. Toyota isn't among them, but marketing manager Michael Broom said warranty claims that do not arise as a result of armouring are covered by Toyota. He said Armormax has fitted packages to more than 1,700 vehicles and has not had a single penetration or injury to date.
The Citizen
23-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Toyota Land Cruiser Prado's latest armour a discreet suit
The work of local firm Armormax can be had in standard B4 and higher protection B6 variants. From the outside, the Armormax Prado doesn't look different from the standard TX grade it is based on. Picture: Mark Jones It seems to be a year of armoured vehicles for us. Just a few weeks ago we were exposed to a Toyota Corolla Cross and a Ford Ranger that has been given a light armoured workover to help in preventing hi-jackings. A week ago, we reported on a Toyota Fortuner that had been shot to pieces in what looked like an attempted hit, but the occupants got way completely unharmed thanks to vehicle armouring. Now, we get to bring you the low down on what it was like living with Armormax's Toyota Land Cruiser Prado for a few days. Prado en-guard Having already applied the armoured touches to the Land Cruiser 300, of which more than 30 have already been delivered to customers, it makes perfect sense that they would put their effort into the Land Cruiser Prado you see here. And when I say see here, the one thing you are not going to notice from the outside or the inside is that this Land Cruiser Prado has been fully armoured to B4 level, which means you have protection against handguns. ALSO READ: Toughened-up new Prado gives protection against AK47 bullets If you think you are going to get into a proper shoot-out then you are going to need B6 level protection from rifles. What you will feel obviously is the extra weight in the doors when you open and close them, and when you put the windows down, you will see the 21 mm thick bullet resistant glass. But that's it. It's not like you will see armour sticking out from the panels and surface areas in the vehicle. As with the front, the rear and side profiles haven't undergone any visible changes from the normal Prado TX. Picture: Mark Jones You also don't really feel the extra weight of all the armour when you are driving around either, mostly because the Land Cruiser Prado is already a heavy vehicle to start with, and you are not expecting it to behave like a hot hatch. This particular Armormax Land Cruiser Prado has done just over 20 000 km already, and nothing rattles and squeaks, which is testament to the vehicle as much as it is Armormax's quality of workmanship. Level B4 Protection If your security risk is from day-to-day crime encountered on our roads, like being followed home from the shops and being hijacked and robbed, then level B4 protection is a good choice. Interior hasn't changed, although the type of glass used does from the normal Prado. Picture: Mark Jones Most violent crimes like hijacking are committed with handguns, as they are easy for the perpetrators to conceal. Level B4 conversions only add around 180 kg of extra weight for the average SUV. This has very little effect on the driving characteristics of the vehicle. Equally many of the vehicle's standard features are unaffected, meaning you are almost not even aware of the armouring. Level B6 Protection There are levels of risk that necessitate a higher level of protection. Level B6 conversions are ideally suited for threats from the calibres fired from assault rifles commonly found around the world. Rolling down the windows provides the biggest hint of the Armormax not being a conventional Prado. Picture: Mark Jones A B6 build is a complex conversion and takes a minimum of 10 weeks to complete. Given the added weight and increase in asset value of a B6 conversion, it is best suited to large SUV's and pick-ups. From a pure security aspect, the recommendation is to choose one of these over a sedan, and this is due to the higher seating position of the occupants, which results in a tactical advantage. Pricing There is a massive amount of misinformation about armoured cars out there, not just in how they are built but also who buys them. The notion that it's only gangsters and politicians that use armoured cars is not all that true anymore, there is an ever-increasing demand from private individuals and families just looking to protect themselves from violent crime. Pricing comes in at R763 000 excluding VAT for complete level B4 armouring (handguns), which includes all the windows, windscreen, door panels, roof, tailgate, rear seats, run flat bands for the tyres and a push to talk comms system for communicating with people outside the vehicle. Pricing for full level B6 armouring (rifles) comes in at R1 554 000 excluding VAT, with the cost of an upgraded suspension kit also for your own account. Armormax can source you a vehicle or you can have your existing vehicle armoured. The build time is anything from four to seven weeks depending on the model. I must be honest, driving around in the Armormax Toyota Land Cruiser Prado as nobody important still made me feel almost invincible. I know nothing or nobody is invincible, but it was so nice to pull up to a traffic light and not have to be constantly scanning your surroundings in the hope you are not hi-jacked and shot dead for a car. To find out more, contact Michael Broom at michael@ or call him on 084 325 2744 or 011 462 6079. You can also visit their website at NOW READ: Corolla Cross gets tough enough to withstand handgun attack
New York Times
13-02-2025
- Automotive
- New York Times
State Department Revises Plan to Buy Armored Teslas
Tesla's name was removed from a State Department document that listed planned vehicle purchases after the existence of the list was reported late Wednesday. The potential award raised questions about why the government was giving a lucrative contract to the company, which is led by Elon Musk, one of President Trump's most important advisers. A department procurement forecast for 2025 detailed purchases the agency expected to make, including $400 million for armored Tesla vehicles. The document did not specify which Tesla model, but the electric Cybertruck, which has a body of high-strength stainless steel, would be the most suitable. Later on Wednesday, a different version of the procurement document appeared online. It referred to 'armored electric vehicles,' omitting any mention of Tesla. Mr. Musk spent more than $250 million to help elect Mr. Trump, who then appointed him as the leader of a cost-cutting initiative that's been called the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. Plans to spend $400 million on Tesla pickups raised eyebrows given that Mr. Musk has been posting almost hourly on X, the social media site he owns, about wasteful government spending. Tesla and the State Department did not respond to requests for comment. On X, Mr. Musk shared a post from a supporter that said a report on the topic by Rachel Maddow of MSNBC was a 'hit piece.' Mr. Musk is already a major government contractor. Companies he owns or controls have secured $13 billion in federal contracts over the past five years. SpaceX, the rocket company he founded, collects most of that money and is one of the biggest government contractors. The State Department procurement forecast was published in December, after Mr. Trump won the election but before he took office. Plans to purchase Cybertrucks were reported earlier on Wednesday by Drop Site News. Tesla would not have collected all of the $400 million order. Some of the money would have gone to firms that upgrade the vehicles to withstand attacks, such as Armormax, a company in Ogden, Utah. Justin Johnson, operations manager at Armormax, acknowledged in a brief telephone interview on Wednesday that there had been interest in the company's product from the Trump administration, but said he was not authorized to comment further. The plan to purchase armored electric vehicles, whether Teslas or another make, is a departure for the Trump administration. Among Mr. Trump's first actions as president were executive orders calling for the removal of Biden-era incentives and regulations that promoted electric vehicles. The Cybertruck remains a likely choice for any government agency looking for rugged electric vehicles. Mr. Musk has portrayed the vehicle, with its stainless steel body, as 'apocalypse-ready,' although some people have posted videos on social media that appear to show the vehicle struggling in difficult conditions like snow. Other vehicles might also match the specifications of the order, such as General Motors' GMC Hummer pickup and sport-utility vehicle or the electric version of the Cadillac Escalade. G.M. already has a unit that sells armored and rugged versions of its vehicles to the government.
New York Times
13-02-2025
- Automotive
- New York Times
State Dept. Plans $400 Million Purchase of Armored Tesla Cybertrucks
Tesla, whose chief executive, Elon Musk, has been advising President Trump on how to cut government spending, is likely to receive a lucrative contract to supply armored versions of its Cybertruck pickup to the State Department, according to public documents. The department's procurement forecast for 2025, which details purchases the agency expects to make, includes $400 million for armored Tesla vehicles. The document does not specify which Tesla model, but the electric Cybertruck, which has a body of high-strength stainless steel, would be the most suitable vehicle. Mr. Musk spent more than $250 million to help elect Mr. Trump, who then appointed him as the leader of a cost-cutting initiative that's been called the Department of Government Efficiency. The purchase of Cybertrucks, an atypical choice for government armored transport, is likely to raise conflict of interest issues, especially as Mr. Musk trumpets his own efforts to root out what he regards as unnecessary spending. On X, the social media site he owns, Mr. Musk has portrayed the federal government as replete with waste and corruption. On Wednesday, he posted about what he said were extravagantly overpriced coffee cups and soap dispensers at the Pentagon. Tesla and the State Department did not respond immediately to requests for comment. Mr. Musk is already a major government contractor. Companies he owns or controls have secured $13 billion in federal contracts over the past five years. SpaceX, the rocket company he founded, collects most of that money and is one of the biggest government contractors. The State Department procurement forecast was published in December, after Mr. Trump won the election but before he took office. Plans to purchase Cybertrucks were reported earlier on Wednesday by Drop Site News. Sales of the Cybertruck have been modest since its introduction in late 2023. Tesla sold 39,000 last year, according to estimates by Cox Automotive. With a starting price of $80,000, the vehicle is too expensive for many buyers. Mr. Musk has joked that the Cybertruck, with its unusual stainless steel exterior and 'Mad Max' design, is 'apocalypse ready' and well suited to warfare. But Tesla has recalled the vehicle several times for problems such as faulty windshield wiper motors. Tesla would not collect all of the $400 million order. Some of the money would go to firms that upgrade the vehicles, such as Armormax, a company in Ogden, Utah. Justin Johnson, operations manager at Armormax, acknowledged in a brief telephone interview Wednesday that there has been interest in the company's product from the Trump administration but said he was not authorized to comment further. Armormax installs bulletproof glass and other equipment to convert the Cybertruck passenger compartment into a 'cocoon' that protects occupants, Mr. Johnson said. 'It armors very well,' he said of the vehicle. The firm advertises on its website that it can outfit vehicles with extra protection such as 'run-flat' tires that keep rolling even after being punctured, and a 'road tack dispensing system' that scatters tacks on the road to foil pursuers. The State Department also plans to purchase smaller quantities of armored vehicles from other suppliers, according to the procurement forecast, including BMW sport utility vehicles valued at $40 million.
