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Have you ever looked at your Toyota Corolla and thoughts, Sure, it’s reliable. But I wish it was literally bulletproof. Well now Brazilians can buy a truly bulletproof car or truck–right off the showroom floor. Here’s how it works and why it could spread to other countries.

Crime rates in Brazil are currently falling. But with its economy growing, armored cars are increasingly and option and regular folks are buying them. So Toyota Brazil has partnered with several local companies to offer “bulletproof” as a box you can check at the dealership. It’ll even upgrade your used Toyota.

I tend to think of armored cars as vehicles the size of the U.S. President’s huge limousine, or at least an executive sedan. But with improvements in materials, bulletproof armor is available in even compact sedans now. Toyota Brazil is offering a bulletproof option for the Corolla, Hilux pickup truck, and two sizes of crossovers (Corolla Cross and the Fortuner).

Black Toyota Hilux, Corolla, Corolla Cross and Fortuner
Bulletproof Toyota lineup | Toyota Brazil

After you order your car at the dealership (or they inspect your 2020 or newer vehicle), you can ask for bulletproofing from one of multiple companies. Avallon, Carbon, Evolution Blindagens, and Parvi Blindados. Toyota then ships the vehicle away, has it bulletproofed, and then delivered to you.

The companies say they will use specialized compounds to reinforce the bodywork. They also swap the windows out for thicker ones. You can hit the resulting vehicle repeatedly with a baseball bat or metal pipe, without getting in. You can even shoot it with small firearms and the occupants will remain safe. The materials are warrantied for 5-10 years. But Toyota Brazil is not advertising a price.

So will this become common elsewhere? I doubt any automakers were thinking this way. But then Tesla released the Cybertruck, which it advertises as bulletproof. Just like Toyota’s armored vehicles in Brazil, the Cybertruck is actually just impervious to small firearms or things such as bats. But perhaps to keep up, other automakers will begin partnering with aftermarket companies to offer that box you can check at the dealership.

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Staff Writer

Henry Cesari

Henry Cesari joined MotorBiscuit in 2021 and brings his deep interest in vintage cars, trucks, and motorcycles to the site. Having restored his first classic car at just 16 years old, Henry has wrenched on everything from overland campers to Japanese motorcycles and even pre-war Bugattis. Henry is also an avid attendee at local car shows and genuinely enjoys connecting with fellow auto enthusiasts.

Henry earned a Bachelor’s in Anthropology and English from the University of Vermont. He has since incorporated his love of the written word with his admiration of classic cars. While Henry is interested in vintage cars, he believes the golden age of cars is yet to come. He is confident journalists will play an important role in this revolution by exposing the industry as it is now and envisioning its possible future.