BajaNews - 3-25-2010 at 01:25 PM
http://www.elpasotimes.com/ci_14736252
By Diana Washington Valdez
03/23/2010
EL PASO -- Concerns about the violence in Mexico have created a growing demand at the border for bulletproof vehicles, said Mark Burton, CEO of
International Armoring Corp.
The company, based in Ogden, Utah, is delivering armored vehicles this week to corporations in El Paso that have business dealings in Juárez.
"Over the past 18 months, our sales of armored passenger vehicles to corporations along the U.S.-Mexico border have increased over 300 percent,"
Burton said. "They are being used mainly for the protection of corporate executives and managers who live in El Paso and commute to their Juárez
offices. These vehicles provide protection from random acts of violence, kidnapping and high-level planned assaults."
Burton said requests from the border region for such vehicles began increasing about three years ago.
"The vehicles will protect against attacks from high-powered handguns and rifles, similar to the ones used in attacks in the border region," Burton
said. "We've tested them, and they can withstand rounds from AK-47s and AR-15s."
It takes the company about 30 days to make vehicles bulletproof. The process includes lining the entire passenger compartment with a special high-tech
armor and replacing the original glass with two-inch ballistic armored windows.
The company has built more than 6,000 armored passenger vehicles since 1993, and has sold them in 50 countries and to at least 38 presidents and heads
of state. Clients include governments, militaries, international corporations, the Vatican and celebrities.
"We're in the process of preparing several units for the Iraqi police force," Burton said.
Jose Contreras, vice president of international relations for the Juárez Mexican Chamber of Commerce, said armored vehicles are in big demand in
Mexico. He said that in Mexico, owners must register such vehicles with the federal government.
"Insecurity continues to be a problem for many business people, but there are some drawbacks," Contreras said. "It is expensive. The costs for
vehicles I saw at another company (Car Armoring Service Inc.) ranged from $70,000 to $80,000. Driving around in these vehicles also makes the bad guys
think you have a lot of money, which could lead to a kidnapping for ransom."
Car Armoring Service Inc., which has offices in El Paso, Tijuana, San Diego and Mexicali, says it has 12 years of experience in armor conversions. No
one was available for comment late Monday.
Burton said his company charges $72,000 on average to convert a vehicle, which does not include the cost of the vehicle itself.
"But these vehicles aren't tanks," he said. "They are made to blend in. You can't tell them apart from the rest of the cars if you see them on the
street.
"They are no longer only for heads of state. Our customers at the border are normal executives who are concerned for their safety, and some
individuals who cross the border frequently."
The company's Web site is at: http://www.iacarmormax.com
Woooosh - 3-25-2010 at 06:23 PM
I don't know about driving a tank around, but I do think there is opportunity for a security training company or two in Baja Norte. The basics. How
to get out of the most common security situations: evasive driving techniques, ATM use, carjacking defenses, kidnap & extortion, false charges
filed against you, DUI, auto accident, etc. Someone could also offer Insurance for Baja kidnap, robbery etc. just thinking... 
[Edited on 3-26-2010 by Woooosh]
noproblemo2 - 3-25-2010 at 06:33 PM
Sounds like a good business for someone down here to get into retro fit cars to bullet proof them......
BajaNomad - 3-25-2010 at 08:20 PM
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=7092
Pappy Jon - 3-28-2010 at 10:57 AM
I think Mexico should just honor my concealed carry permit. 
No Hope for Tanks ?
MrBillM - 3-28-2010 at 12:22 PM
Watching a History Channel Segment on the M-16 Rifle which had a lengthy description of the famous L.A.P.D. shootout a few years back, a retired
Law-Enforcement "Expert" described the "Rounds" fired by the Bad Guys from their AK-47s (7.62 x 39) as "a round designed to Penetrate a
TANK."
Impressive !
AND, a Crock.