Putin, Xi, and Kim Jong Un: Inside the Secret World of Dictators’ State Cars

Specialized Official State Vehicles
What about dictators?
Comparing the State Vehicles of North Korea, China, and Russia

Leaders from different countries, including dictators, use special cars made just for them because of their high status. They care a lot about these cars because they want to look dignified and use them to show off their power. These leaders choose their cars carefully, showing that these vehicles are more than just a way to get around; they’re a sign of their position and influence.

So, what about famous Asian dictators like Russia’s Putin, China’s Xi Jinping, and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un? What kind of official state vehicles do they use? Let’s look at these dictators’ unique state vehicles and why they use them.

Putin’s Official State Vehicle

Putin uses a vehicle from the Russian brand Aurus as his official state vehicle. Using a domestic brand for his state vehicle serves as good propaganda. Putin is known to use the Senat model from Aurus. The cost of developing this vehicle is $192 million.

As much as the massive development cost, its performance is impressive. Bulletproof, explosion-resistant, and resistant to chemical weapons are standard features, and the vehicle is designed to ensure the survival of the occupants even if it is submerged in water. The vehicle’s exterior strongly resembles the design of a Rolls Royce. Later, we will discuss that this vehicle was gifted to North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un.

Xi Jinping’s Official State Vehicle
China’s Rolls Royce, Hongqi L5

Like Putin, Xi Jinping uses a vehicle from his country’s brand, Hongqi, as his official state vehicle.
Hongqi vehicles have a long history of being used as official state vehicles, starting with Mao Zedong and continuing through Deng Xiaoping, Jiang Zemin, Hu Jintao, and Xi Jinping. Hongqi, which means “red flag” in Chinese, symbolizes the Chinese Communist Party. As a brand used for official state vehicles, it is naturally considered a top-tier brand in China.

Xi Jinping currently uses the Hongqi L5, which was developed and launched in 2014. This vehicle, which inherits the design of the previous official state vehicle, the CA770, is equipped with a 12-cylinder engine and is sold in China for 5 million yuan (approx. $700,000). It’s naturally the most expensive car in China, comparable to Rolls Royce. Hence, it’s often called “China’s Rolls Royce.”

Kim Jong Un’s Love for Mercedes-Benz
Recently Seen Using Aurus Vehicle

Using Western goods or viewing Western media is difficult for North Korean citizens. The North Korean authorities forbid it to maintain their regime, and those caught face severe punishments. Ironically, Kim Jong Un is known to use Western products, including Apple. The same goes for cars; he is particularly known for favoring Mercedes-Benz vehicles. Kim Jong Un has been using Maybach S-Class and Maybach GLS vehicles as his official state vehicles.

Naturally, all Mercedes-Benz vehicles are banned from being exported to North Korea. Therefore, Kim Jong Un reportedly smuggles these vehicles through various countries. His love for Mercedes-Benz does not stop at himself. He’s also known to gift Mercedes-Benz vehicles to high-ranking bureaucrats around him. Recently, he has been seen using a Russian Aurus Senat vehicle, a gift from Putin.