Presidential Escort Vehicle Tires Cost NT$510,000 Each: NIA Says They Are OEM Specials, Not Commercial Grade

(Central News Agency, reporters Wu Shu-wei and Yu Kai-hsiang, Taipei, June 3) The Special Service Center of the National Security Agency (NIA), responsible for the security of the President and Vice President, budgeted for the replacement of special-specification tires for two security escort vehicles this year, with each tire costing over NT$510,000. The NIA stated today that these run-flat tires are exclusively supplied by a professional manufacturer and are designed and built by the original manufacturer to accommodate the vehicle's weight and safety protection functions, differing from standard commercial tires.

The Foreign and National Defense Committee of the Legislative Yuan reviewed the NIA's budget for this year this morning. Legislators Huang Jian-bin, Chen Yong-kang, and Hsu Chiao-hsin of the Kuomintang, as well as Lin Chu-yin and Wang Yi-chuan of the Democratic Progressive Party, all proposed motions concerning the NIA's budget for 8 special-specification tires for two security escort vehicles, averaging over NT$510,000 per tire, requesting a budget freeze and a written report before the funds could be released.

Legislator Lin Chu-yin's proposal noted that according to the Special Service Center's records for replacing special-specification tires for security escort vehicles, the budget for replacing tires on 'Escort Vehicle 1' in 2021 was NT$353,000 per tire. The current budget is NT$516,500 per tire, an increase of 46%. 'Escort Vehicle 2' has no previous replacement record, and its current budget is NT$547,000 per tire. The unit price increase for the two vehicles' tires appears unreasonable.

Lin He-chin, Deputy Commander of the NIA's Special Service Center, stated during the review that the main reason is the rise in raw material prices. For example, oil has risen to US$115 per barrel, which also affects tire prices. Furthermore, bulletproof tires are inherently more expensive, and the prices were confirmed through supplier consultations, with no inflated figures.

Lin Chu-yin ultimately agreed to pass the budget as proposed for safety reasons, but she believed a clear explanation was necessary, as a nearly 50% increase in the unit price of a single tire would seem excessive to anyone.

The NIA responded in a press release in the afternoon. The NIA's Special Service Center's security escort vehicles include one BMW and one Audi armored car, purchased in 2017 and 2024 respectively. The tires have been in use and now show tread wear and sidewall cracking. Therefore, following the vehicle manual's specified special specifications, the NIA consulted with the respective original manufacturers to procure the tires, ensuring driving safety and performance maintenance.

The NIA stated that this case involves an exclusive supply from a professional run-flat tire manufacturer, requiring patented disassembly/assembly equipment and protection technology. This includes run-flat support rings, run-flat tire treads, tire pressure monitoring systems, specialized consumables, and installation services. All are designed and built by the original manufacturer to accommodate the vehicle's weight and safety protection functions, differing from standard commercial tires.

The NIA emphasized that it adhered to the principle of realistic budgeting, thoroughly surveyed the prices of the original manufacturer's special-specification tires, and budgeted a total of NT$4,253,380 in public funds. Procurement was conducted in January and April of this year in accordance with the 'Government Procurement Act,' with the total awarded amount being NT$4,072,459. This complies with all relevant procurement regulations and involves no inflated figures. The NIA stated it will continue to manage and control the maintenance budget for security escort vehicles to ensure the prudent use of national funds. (Editors: Lin Ke-lun, Zhai Si-jia) 1150603