“Made in Quebec” buses for Presidents Obama, Trump and Biden at the request of the secret services

For 12 years, American presidents have been riding in Prevost buses “Made in Quebec” at the Sainte-Claire factory, for the secret services, who have to pay between $4 million and $5 million for this vehicle called “Ground Force One“.

“The American secret services ordered two buses during the presidency of Barack Obama, in 2012, for his trips around Washington,” proudly tells the Newspaper François Tremblay, president of Volvo Canada and Prevost North America.

“They send people out there while the vehicle is being built. Security is really very important at the secret service level for the president,” he continues. Since then, Prevost has been in the game.

Without providing details on the number of times they came to visit the factory, François Tremblay affirms that they were “very present”.

Two years ago, The newspaper had participated in the highly guarded visit of American Secretary Anthony Blinken to Anjou where an important security system was at work, but for future or current American presidents, the level goes up a notch.

“It becomes a bit like a presidential office once it’s on the road,” underlines Prevost’s number 1, François Tremblay, who recalls that the company with Quebec roots is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.

“We don’t take sides in politics. As long as he drives a Prevost,” he jokes.

Soon electric?

At Prevost, which is already working on an electric bus project which will be launched in two years, we are aiming for a range of 350 kilometers.

“We are talking about short-distance intercity connections, like Quebec-Montreal or employee shuttles for tech companies like Google and Facebook,” he adds.

“We have just won a contract for nearly 400 vehicles in New York. We are talking about diesel, but they have clearly mentioned that they want to make their next purchases electric,” he concludes.

History of Prevost

• 1924: Eugène Prévost, a carpenter, receives an order to make his first wooden coach body.

• 1943: Prevost obtains a major Canadian Defense contract for soldiers and factory workers.

• 2024: Volvo becomes sole owner of Prevost Car and its Nova Bus division.

Source: Prevost