Where did the Limousine Come From?

In 1889, the first limousine car was introduced in Paris, France. The word limousine actually comes from the French word “limousin”, which was an old province full of farmland and shepherds. The term limousine is derived from the name of the French region of Limousin, though it is not known how the name of the region was transferred to the car. Limousines have been a popular form of luxury transportation for centuries.

The concept of having a chauffeur-driven vehicle dates back to the era of horse-drawn carriages in the 18th century. These carriages were adorned with gold and drawn by the best horses, and were only available to those with wealth. This is the one-of-a-kind luxury limousine that Donald Trump designed exclusively for Cadillac more than two decades ago. No matter what type of trip you take, doing it in a limousine will create a certain impression about you as a passenger.

A limousine, a luxury sedan or sedan by design, is distinguished from other cars by its length and the fact that it has a driver. The unique feature of limousines was that passengers enjoyed their privacy in an enclosure separate from the driver they hired. Therefore, limousines have a history even before cars were invented and the first stretched limousine for cars dates back almost 100 years. When car manufacturers created the limousine to transport VIPs in luxury, only the passenger compartment was closed (poor drivers were left out in the rain).

The exterior of the limousines accentuate the look and the length can accommodate a good number of guests. Limousines have gone through many changes and the definition of luxury has changed over time, even in the case of presidential limousines. At that time, limousines weren't necessarily longer than regular cars, which could seat between 3 and 5 people. However, access to limousines was limited to those who were wealthy and powerful, such as prominent politicians, dictators, or even as an enduring symbol of dark days, such as JFK's Lincoln Continental limousine.

Vehicles converted into innovative elastic limousines include the East German Trabant, Volkswagen Beetle, Fiat Panda and Citroën 2CV. As demonstrated by its long-standing history, a limousine is more than just a form of transportation; it has become more cost-effective and convenient than ever before. The first stretched limousine for cars dates back nearly 100 years. Since those who owned these cars had high social status, they considered it desirable for the limousine driver to have special qualifications, which gave rise to driving as a specialized profession. A luxury sedan with a very long wheelbase (with more than four doors) driven by a professional driver is called an elastic limousine.

Special occasions such as weddings and other once-in-a-lifetime events highlight the esteemed status of limousines.