Company · History & Tradition
History and tradition since 1983
Four decades of protection, built in Bremen. Founded in 1983, TRASCO has grown from a Bremen limousine manufacturer into one of the world's leading providers of special protection vehicles – through changing eras and owners, the workmanship stayed in Bremen.
- Founded in Bremen
- 1983
- Years of armored vehicles
- 40+
- First armored limousines
- 1985
- Armored Land Cruiser built since 1998
- 1,000+
1983–1999
The founding years
A Bremen limousine builder becomes a special-protection manufacturer – and sets standards that hold until today.
- 1983
TRASCO Export GmbH is founded in Bremen
In 1983 TRASCO Export GmbH was founded in Bremen, Germany, and the production of stretched limousines began – the foundation of a company that will define German special-protection vehicle manufacturing for the next four decades.
- 1985
First stretched and armored limousine based on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W126)
The production of the first stretched and armored limousines based on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W126) started in 1985 and set the base for the successor models to be armored.
A TRASCO stretched limousine based on the W126 even made it to the movies, driven by Jackie Chan in the production of “Twin Dragons”.
- 1988
First OEM cooperation: Volvo
An initial OEM cooperation was set up with Volvo in 1988 with the armoring of the Volvo 940 in B6 – the beginning of a long series of partnerships with international vehicle manufacturers.
- 1989
OEM cooperation with AUDI AG
After the first OEM cooperation with Volvo turned out to be a major success, another official OEM cooperation was agreed in 1989 with AUDI AG. In the following years the armored Audi A8L (D2) was produced by the company for AUDI AG, until Audi decided to set up an in-house armoring program in Ingolstadt.
Until today, AUDI AG is being supplied with spare parts for the vehicles armored during the period of the cooperation, which are still in use in various parts of the world.
- 1991
The stretch tradition continues: based on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class W140
In 1991 the decision was taken to continue the production of stretched and armored limousines based on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W140), after armored limousines based on the predecessor model (W126) had turned out to be a great success.
- 1998
Government-grade production based on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W220)
Finally in 1998, after armored limousines based on two generations of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class had already been built with regular and extended wheelbases in Bremen, an armored variant based on the third generation (W220) was fully re-engineered and consequently built until 2005, including production of vehicles for renowned government clients.
- 1999
New factory · one of the first fully certified SUVs
Based on the international success of the company, a new factory was inaugurated in 1999 in Osterholz-Scharmbeck near Bremen – at its time the most advanced and modern of its kind.
In addition, an armored Nissan Patrol was developed and certified as one of the first SUVs in accordance with the then latest full certification standard VPAM-BRV 1999. The suspension system was extensively tested and evaluated over an extended period by the Bundeswehr Technical Test Center 41 (WTD 41).
2000–2013
The group era
Under Armor Holdings and BAE Systems, Bremen engineering goes global – and the Land Cruiser program becomes a worldwide standard.
- 2000
Second OEM cooperation with VW AG
In 2000, a second cooperation with VW AG – Commercial Vehicle Division (OEM) was agreed for the production of armored VW T4 buses in VR4, after the partnership with AUDI AG had become a success story in the previous years.
- 2001
Acquisition by Armor Holdings Inc.
Armor Holdings Inc., a U.S.-listed corporation, acquired TRASCO as a leading company in the field of commercially armored vehicles in 2001, in order to complement its civilian and military product range.
- 2005
TRASCO becomes Centigon Germany
In 2005 Armor Holdings Inc. formed a new brand: after the US-based holding had acquired various companies in the field of commercially armored vehicles, the company name was changed from Trasco to Centigon Germany.
- 2006
Defense engineering for the Armor Holdings group
In 2006 the company provided support to the Armor Holdings Group / Centigon in product development, engineering design and certification of defense solutions across multiple protection levels – including the implementation of customized auxiliary equipment.
- 2007
BAE Systems acquires Armor Holdings
BAE Systems plc, the world-known British multinational defense, security and aerospace company headquartered in London – among the world's largest military contractors – acquired Armor Holdings Inc. and its associated company Centigon / Trasco in 2007.
- 2008
Toyota Land Cruiser 200 – full certification program
Led by BAE Systems plc, the company developed the Toyota Land Cruiser 200 in VR6 (fully certified version of B6), B7 and STANAG 4569 Level 2 – after having built and sold more than 560 units of the previous model Toyota Land Cruiser 100 in B6, B7 and STANAG 4569 Level 2 since 1998.
- 2009
From the archive
- 2011
TRANSECO – the transition brand
The next brand TRANSECO was created in 2011, following the acquisition of assets of CENTIGON Germany GmbH. The brand TRANSECO was used until mid-2014 in a transition process back to the original brand name TRASCO Bremen GmbH.
Today, as in the past, TRASCO – with a rich history spanning several decades – is specialized in armored limousines for Heads of State, armored sedans and SUVs, as well as special vehicles and equipment for Ministries of Defense and Interior.
- 2012
From the archive
2014–today
Trasco Bremen
Independent again, under the name that started it all – chosen by the world's most demanding OEMs.
- 2014
TRASCO returns
Reacquisition of the brand name TRASCO and change of the company name from Transport Security Corporation Bremen GmbH to Trasco Bremen GmbH – independent again, with the workmanship that never left Bremen.
- 2016
OEM cooperation with Hyundai Motor Company – Genesis
In 2016 TRASCO Bremen and HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY agreed on an OEM cooperation for the development, ballistic VPAM certification and production of armored limousines of Genesis – the luxury brand of Hyundai Motor Company, covering sedans and stretched limousines.
Only one year later the program reached its milestone: in 2017 the armored Genesis EQ900L passed its full vehicle certification, successfully tested against direct fire, hand grenades and side blast.
- 2016
A-KIP® lightweight protection
Since 2016 TRASCO has offered A-KIP® (Anti-Kidnapping Protection): a lightweight, partial armoring concept that protects the critical areas of the passenger compartment against everyday threats with certified ballistic materials, while keeping the character of the base vehicle.
- 2018
Volvo XC90 VR8 – heavy armored OEM program
TRASCO Bremen GmbH and Volvo Car Corporation are cooperating in the heavy armored vehicle business: starting from 2018, Volvo Cars expanded its product portfolio to include a heavy armored vehicle in protection level VR8. The armored Volvo XC90 VR8 is developed and manufactured by Trasco Bremen.
TRASCO Bremen is responsible for the design and development of the complete armoring process, the suspension, as well as managing all ballistic certifications and road approvals.
- 2022
Jaguar Land Rover – A-KIP® Defender
A new lightweight protection solution for the Defender 110, available exclusively through Accredited Converter TRASCO, for clients who need discreet additional security: thanks to an exclusive Jaguar Land Rover accreditation agreement with vehicle protection specialist TRASCO, Defender clients with security protection requirements can now order a 110 equipped with enhanced ballistic and blast protection.
The lightweight Anti-Kidnapping Protection (A-KIP®) conversion offers protection with minimal compromise – its inconspicuous design ensures a Defender protected by TRASCO is virtually indistinguishable from a standard vehicle.
- Official press release from Jaguar Land Rover ↗
- Official Land Rover website: Defender 110 and 130 Protected by TRASCO ↗
- 2026
INEOS Grenadier – INEOS Preferred Converter Programme
The A-KIP® concept expands to a second platform, the INEOS Grenadier. TRASCO is part of the INEOS Preferred Converter Programme and listed as a preferred converter on the official INEOS Grenadier website. The lightweight A-KIP® conversion brings discreet ballistic and blast protection to the Grenadier Station Wagon – engineered and converted in Bremen, with ballistic components certified by German VPAM test laboratories.
As on the Defender 110, the protected Grenadier remains virtually indistinguishable from a standard vehicle – the gross vehicle weight rating is retained and no suspension or brake upgrades are required.
Tradition
Our vehicle programs since 1983
Every program has a history. From the first stretched limousine in 1983 to the fully certified Land Cruiser 300, the vehicle programs of TRASCO have grown generation after generation in Bremen.
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Since 1983
Stretched limousines
TRASCO started with stretched limousines in 1983; two years later the first stretched and armored limousines based on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W126) followed and set the base for every successor. To this day they combine generous space with handcrafted interiors of burl wood, inlays and the finest leathers, armored up to VR9 or unarmored.
Extended limousines today → -
Since 1985
Armored sedans based on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class
TRASCO has armored sedans based on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class since 1985, across every generation of the base vehicle. In the early 2000s, the TSF 220 based on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W220) stood for maximum safety with luxury: ballistic glass that makes it hardly recognizable from the outside, finished in the quality of the base vehicle.
The S-Class based sedan today → -
Since 1994
Armored SUVs based on the Mercedes-Benz G-Class
TRASCO has armored SUVs based on the Mercedes-Benz G-Class since 1994. In the early 2000s, versions in the then B6 level were built based on the long-wheelbase G 500 and G 400 CDI, with reinforced hinges and pillars and premium door trims. Today: full armoring in VR7 and VR9 and the extended VIP SUV XXLong.
The G-Class based SUV today → -
Since 1998
Toyota Land Cruiser and Lexus LX
More than 1,000 armored Land Cruisers of the 100 and 200 generations were built in Bremen, in various armor levels for missions on every continent. Since 2004, TRASCO has had complete Land Cruisers tested at the official German proof house in Mellrichstadt, up to the fully certified Land Cruiser 300 in VR7. The Lexus LX, on the same body-on-frame architecture, has been armored since the LX 470.
The Land Cruiser 300 today → -
Since 2002
Nissan Patrol Peacekeeper
Since 2002, TRASCO has built more than 200 armored Nissan Patrol Peacekeepers for the UN and other organizations in crisis areas worldwide; the concept was tested by the Bundeswehr Technical Test Center 41 (WTD 41). It introduced principles that still shape TRASCO vehicles: the integrated armoring cage and the TRASCO door gap overlap system with L-shaped steel overlaps.
Nissan Patrol Peacekeeper → -
Since 2016
A-KIP® lightweight protection
With A-KIP® (Anti-Kidnapping), TRASCO developed a lightweight, partial armoring concept against everyday threats, offered since 2016 and shown at the IAA 2017 on limousines based on the BMW 7 Series and 5 Series. It has since grown to SUVs, vans and, as the TRASCO Q Line, sports cars. Since 2022, TRASCO has been Jaguar Land Rover Accredited Converter for the A-KIP® Defender.
The A-KIP® concept →
Our corporate philosophy of getting products and quality tested by independent institutions prior to marketing them has become TRASCO's trademark.
Made in Germany
Committed to excellence.
For more than four decades, armored vehicles built in Bremen, Germany have embodied the individual requirements of international clients in need of mobile security – by converting SUVs, sedans and luxury limousines into the most secure vehicles.
Our know-how lies in making things already perfect even better. This is manifested by a wealth of innovative German craftsmanship: our armored designs, steel work, mechatronics and functional interior designs, including a wide range of patents. From the outside, a Trasco vehicle can hardly be recognized as an armored vehicle due to the use of special materials, including ballistic glass. After all, you should feel just as safe inside our vehicles as you do at home.
Today
The same hands. The same standards. A new generation of vehicles.
Today Trasco Bremen GmbH engineers and armors complete vehicles in Bremen, from the fully certified Toyota Land Cruiser 300 in VR7 to extended state limousines.
