RIDA branches out to producing luxury-armored vehicles

RIDA is one of the most well-known and trusted Russian producers of armored car vehicles. It has held the leading position in this industry for 12 long years. RIDA has finally decided to extend its business and enter the market of custom-made, luxury, armored vehicles and ballistic glass production while simultaneously cooperating with leading car designers and the Middle Eastern automotive markets. Prior to this, their main focus was on VIP Class, armored personnel carrier and cash-in-transits (CITS) for the banking industry. The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs has its faith in RIDA for armored vehicles. Now that they have entered this luxury cars market, they are trying their best to make a name here too with some hardcore marketing. RIDA’s modification of the Mercedes S221, which sits along side such popular luxury models as the Land Cruiser 200, the Lexus LX 570, Mercedes GL-class and Gelendwagen is very well received. The ballistic glass used in their cars is rather unique as it capable of protecting against ammunition used by even the most advanced firearms but not very thick at all. RIDA is branching out and we hope it does well.

RIDA’s Chairman of the Board, Yury Yavorsky, said: “In August of this year, our entire product line was certified for bullet resistance in Germany’s Ulm Certification Center and the RF Ministry of Interior’s Research Institute. RIDA has become the frontrunner in manufacturing top-class armored cars in Russia and now we’re ready to begin serial production of up to 150 units per year.” In response to being asked about sufficient demand for these highly specialized and costly armored cars, Yavorsky added: “Over the past few years we have been moving from the protected car market’s cheapest CIT segment to building custom vehicles for people whose level of responsibility makes them physically vulnerable. These are people like prosecutors in North Caucasus regions, top police, investigation and security officials, as well as bankers and just very wealthy people. They have to travel in armor, as they are always a target – not as individuals but as “carriers” of power, secrets or big money. When they order our cars, they are interested in security guarantees rather than price.”
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