Kidnappings, ambushes and terrorism have led one Utah company to a rendezvous with a Big Three automaker to produce an armored vehicle for the masses.
Ford Motor Co. announced Wednesday that it was partnering with Ogden-based International Armoring Corp. to create a vehicle capable of withstanding bullets from high-powered rifles, machine-gun rounds and even shrapnel from exploding grenades.
These aren't your ordinary sedans.
Called the Lincoln Town Car Ballistic Protection Series, the new vehicles offer everything from a modified fuel tank that can withstand gunfire to run-flat inserts in the tires allowing the vehicle to keep moving up to 30 miles after a flat.
A luxury ride even when bullets are flying.
Sticker price: $135,000.
Ford's new deal will double the number of employees at the Utah company from 20 to 40 by the end of April and increase the number of armored vehicles produced from two to eight a week, said Mark Burton, founder and chief executive officer of International Armoring.
"They were selected because of their expertise and knowledge in the armored vehicle area," said Mike Vaughn, spokesman for Lincoln Mercury. He said the cars will be produced in Michigan, then sent to Utah for armoring.
Burton said the worldwide growth rate in demand for armored vehicles is more than 20 percent annually. That demand nearly outpaced production during the company's early years, as wealthy business executives and high-profile political figures special-ordered the vehicles to protect themselves and family members.
Here in the United States, carjackings and drive-by shootings also have heightened interest in secure vehicles.
The new Lincoln promises to fill that need, offering ballistic steel and an advanced ceramic composite that can break up bullets and disperse their energy. Windows on the vehicle are nearly an inch and a half thick. Yet, the outward appearance of the vehicle is the same as any other Town Car.
"The security issues coming up in the last decade have increased demand for armored cars throughout the world, specifically in less secure areas like South America, Russia, the Philippines, Middle East, you name it," said Frank Ruiz, executive vice president of International Armoring.
"Armored vehicles are only one small part of the security apparatus, but it's very important in that these cars, if you are attacked, will give you the opportunity to take advantage of the first five or 10 seconds of the danger."
Since 1993, International Armoring has produced more than 2,000 armored vehicles, including three "Popemobiles," by special order. In addition to its Ogden plant, the company manufactures armored vehicles in eight other countries, including Israel, Brazil and Mexico.
The agreement with Ford offers a new approach. The first armored Town Cars are expected to be available at a handful of dealerships nationwide in May.
"In the end they decided to come with us because of our strong points, high quality, representation throughout the world and long history of armoring cars," Ruiz said. "That is precisely one of the advantages. You will be able to go to specific dealers that deal with armored vehicles, and you will be able to pick it up or order it right there."
E-MAIL: danderton@desnews.com