NK News: What do North Koreans think about car brands from different countries?
Lee: North Koreans consider Mercedes-Benz to be the most prestigious car brand. In the past, the government bought them in bulk and gave them out to top cadres. There are still many 80s and 90s Mercedes-Benz models in use among central party members. In 2010, Kim Jong Il again gave out Mercedes-Benz cars to top officials. Cars bearing the 7.27 license plate for VIPs are virtually all Mercedes-Benz. High-ranking military cadres, legion commanders (군단 사령관) and political commissars (정치 위원) receive Benz C-class sedans and G-class SUVs.
Coming in second after Mercedes-Benz are Japanese cars. Among these, the
Lexus LX570 SUV has been appraised as highly suitable for use on North Korea’s bumpy roads. Kim Jong Un is
known to use these for on-the-spot guidance visits, which only enhances the model’s prestige.
