In this article we are going to list the 15 largest vehicles in the world. Click to skip ahead and jump to the 5 largest vehicles in the world. Car enthusiasts make up a large part of the population. Whether it’s someone who likes to merely keep up with advancements in the world of vehicles, or someone who spends a whole lot of money on building and acquiring the latest, and safe to say, the most expensive technologies in the automobile world. Resultantly, the Automobile industry is one of the biggest and encompasses one of the largest market shares in the world. According to Investopedia’s market survey, the industry comprises one of the largest sectors in revenue and is considered an extremely important bellwether in terms of the health of the economy and consumer demand. In 2018, it captured almost 3% of U.S.’s GDP.
When one is talking about large vehicles, it is crucial to mention America and its big appetite for the industry. There is proof in history too of America’s obsession with massive vehicles. One has to just look at the Second World War to get an idea. Gas prices are also cheaper in the United States as compared to Europe. However, it was not always like this. Looking at the impact and spread of the automobile industry in America now, it would be almost impossible to imagine that there was a time when this car loving nation feared the technology. According to the Scientific American, people were not so thrilled when the first generation of Vehicles started rolling in their streets. In 1923, people in Cincinnati even pushed for a law against the speed limit for automobiles. Fear of accidents by these vehicles prompted the people to protest for a law which limited the speed of these contraptions to no higher than 25 mph. But the automobile industry leaders gathered against the law and won. The battle had been won but the war was far from over. The masses still feared the technology as it limited pedestrians their usual routes. The industry giants devised campaigns and programs to promote the use of cars and to squash the fear of the unknown. Apart from constant advertisements on digital and print media, the campaigns included carefully crafted school programs to instill the knowledge and love of cars in the younger generation. One of these clever programs was the American Automobile Association’s (AAA) safety programs. They helped spread the idea of school safety patrols to supervise kids on the street and keep them out of harm’s way. Fast forward to today and we have a very fruitful result to these efforts. In a 2013 study conducted by IHS Automotive, 63% of American Car sales were attributed to large cars, while the rest of the world contributed about 23% to sales of large vehicles. The study also showed that most of the pickups sold in America were full size models.
Pixabay/Public Domain
But there is another nation, or rather, a few members of another nationality, who put even America’s love of vehicles to a test. And that nation, or rather Kingdom, is Saudi Arabia. The KSA has certainly displayed its love for the industry in any way possible. From road shows to having a part in the latest technological advancements, albeit largely monetary. One of the flagship roadshows was brought to the Kingdom by the Ford Middle East and Al Jazirah Vehicles Agencies Co. (AJVA) in 2013.According to Arab News, the Ford and Lincoln importer-dealer in Saudi Arabia brought the country to awe by giving the Saudi customers a closer look at the F-150 and Ranger Built Ford Tough trucks. After the success in Jeddah, the show continued in Dammam, Hail, Tabuk, Qassim, Madinah and Riyadh.
But how are the Saudi’s connected to the world’s largest vehicles? You will find the answer in the top one percent of Saudi Arabia. What would you do if you had more money than you can keep track of and a love of cars? Well some of these Saudi’s decided to commission some of the largest vehicles the world has ever seen. If you also want to just focus on cars, then take a look at the most expensive cars in the world of all time. In our list of the largest vehicles in the world, you will see that many of these entries are thanks to the generosity of the wealthy Sheikhs. Many of these vehicles are ridiculously massive and, obviously, cost a few fortunes to build. Our list includes official projects as well as civilian vehicles. So let’s take a look at the vehicles that are often bigger than houses, starting with number 15:
15. Marauder
This contraption is a military vehicle, but it is also accessible to regular citizens. Probably one of the largest military vehicles accessible to civilians. The car was first produced in 2008 but production has continued. About 300 units have been made as of 2018. The Marauder is manufactured by the Paramount Group, a South African Company which mostly sells it to the top one percent and world armies. Its focus is on the Middle East market.
The machine can fit about 10 people, with a speed of 75mph and a flexible payload for dangerous weaponry which is not available for civilian modifications. It sells for about $523,000.
Pixabay/Public Domain
14. Boeing 727 Jet Limo
Thinking of getting yourself a private limousine but not sure which one? While this is not a question most of us ask but to those who do, you should check out the Boeing 727 Jet Limo, which is of course manufactured by Boeing (NYSE:BA). If you must splurge on a vehicle, get one that you can ride in style. Manufactured by VACA Limousines from Guadalajara, the contraption came into existence in the early 2000’s when some enthusiasts decided that the stylish aircraft should grace the earth’s surface.
Accommodating up to 50 people, the giant limo sold for approximately $275,000 in 2007. The vehicle has all the facilities of a limousine, including a full bar and a dance floor. It is currently in the market for about $1,000,000.
Pixabay/Public Domain
13. Caterpillar 797B
This giant vehicle is made for the mining industry. The Caterpillar 797B, manufactured by Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT), is part of a series of ultra-class mining trucks. This particular model is one of the largest dump trucks available in the world. Weighing at 623,700 kg, the machine has a payload of about 380 short tons. A single tire of this monstrous truck costs about $40,000 and is thirteen feet in height.
Owing to its sheer size, it can not be driven on the highway so instead it is transported in pieces to the location and assembled at the site.
Copyright: jarretera / 123RF Stock Photo
12. Sheikh Hamad Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan’s Jeep
Middle East’s Chuck Norris, Sheikh Hamad Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan’s love of all things big and flashy is known to the world. So, it seems only fitting that he would be the owner of one of the largest vehicles in the world.
The 21-foot-tall Jeep is a replica of the second World War era’s Willy’s built, a project by Willys–Overland Motors, and is currently in display in a museum in the United Arab Emirates.
Pixabay/Public Domain
11. The Wothahellizat
The king, or rather, the palace of mobile homes would be a good way to describe this vehicle. Launched in 2006, the Wolthahellizat is equipped with every facility generally available in a mobile home and more.
The machine was the work of an Australian photographer. Rob Gray wanted a mobile home which could withstand long stops for extended periods of times. According to newatlas.com, Rob Gray is selling the contraption for AUD$350,000.
Pixabay/Public Domain
10. Sheikh Hamad Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan’s Monster Mercedes-Benz (W126)
Another entry credited to the Rainbow Sheikh. This model of Mercedes is only one of the monstrous vehicles from the Sheikh’s large collection. The W126 model was launched in 1979 and was gifted with monstrous wheels by Sheikh Hamad Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan himself. The Car is equipped with a straight six, V8 turbo charged engine.
Copyright: felker / 123RF Stock Photo
9. Sheikh Hamad Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan’s Jeep Wrangler Giant Spider
Sheikh Hamad does not stop dazzling the public with his car collection. This monstrous truck, made by the brand Jeep, is a special custom made and commissioned by the Sheikh. According to Yahoo Autos, the machine is built on a Ford F-550 (NYSE:F) frame. The headlights are from an International Lone Star big rig. The Giant Spider is powered by a 394-hp V8 engine and it has a central air system to air the tires from the inside.
Pixabay/Public Domain
8. Gustav Gun
One of the biggest machines ever produced, the Gustuv Gun was a carrier for a series of guns made by the German forces during World War II. According to Axle Addict, it weighed around 1,330 tons and 18 meters in height. The gun itself would dwarf a man and would require a series of railway lines to move.
The guns were made for taking out the French Maginot line of defenses but instead they shone against the Russians in Sevastopol and Stalingrad.
Pixabay/Public Domain
7. NASA Crawler
Valued at a whopping $14 million, this vehicle was used to transport the Apollo, Saturn IB, Saturn V, and Skylab rockets. Manufactured by Marion Power Shovel Company, the machine weighs about 2,700 tons with four pairs of tracks on either end. The crawler measures around 40×35 meters. It can run on two generators, 750 kw/h each and output about 2730 HP. The massive machine has been featured in many NASA based movies like Apollo 13.
Ingus Kruklitis/Shutterstock.com
6. BelAZ 75710
The BelAZ 75710 is another ultra-class haul truck. It was manufactured in Belarus and is considered to be one of the largest payload capacity haul trucks in the world. It has been in production since 2013 by BelAz.
According to the Belarusian Telegraph Agency, the haul truck can carry a 450-ton load. Its height is around 8.16 m while its width is 9.87 m. The bed of the vehicle is relatively narrow which limits the volume of the material it can carry.
Please continue to see the 5 largest vehicles in the world.
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Disclosure: No position. 15 largest vehicles in the world is originally published at Insider Monkey.
