Saying goodbye is never easy, and the General Motors Defense Suburban HD is being hit the hardest during this breakup. The FBI is dumping these armored SUVs for a more affordable fleet of BMW models instead. 

The FBI drops armored GM Suburbans for BMW SUVs 

General Motors owns a military contractor known as GM Defense. It has been active with the United States military for decades. It has a vast history of providing armored and bullet-proof vehicles for protective transport. 

However, the HD Suburban has suffered a massive loss, as FBI Director Kash Paral has decided to order a fleet of BMW SUVs for the department instead. 

Patel demanded an unknown number of BMW X5 Protection VR6 vehicles. He claims that the armored SUV is more inconspicuous than the massive full-size SUVs. 

Massive black Suburban models are clearly tied to the government, with constant use in action movies and shows. The BMW X5 may be less susceptible to federal activity. 

The costs of the armored X5 vehicles haven’t been shared. According to GM Authority, FBI spokesperson Ben Williamson claims that they’re more affordable. 

He shared, “Government agents, including the FBI, routinely evaluate, replace, and update vehicle fleets based on use, needs, and budgetary decisions. 

Williamson continued to explain, “The specific decisions were evaluated partly as a way to save tax payers millions with more efficient cost structures.”

The first 10 Suburban HD units for the State Department cost $3.6 million each. Later, production costs were reduced to about $180,000 per vehicle. 

The BMW X5 Protection VR6 may cost between $230,000 to $250,000. Models with full production can tip the scales at over $400,000. However, I’m not sure what costs were agreed to in the contract with BMW.