Mexico president sells predecessors’ bulletproof cars

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador says his administration has auctioned off most of the bulletproof and luxury vehicles used by past presidents.

Lopez Obrador has eschewed the traditional trappings of power since taking office on Dec.1. He uses a compact Volkswagen car and refuses to live in the sprawling presidential residence compound, instead remaining in a middle-class condo.

He has pledged to sell off the presidential jet and instead uses commercial flights. He also disbanded Mexico’s equivalent of the Secret Service.

Lopez Obrador said Monday that 196 of the 218 vehicles were sold at auction, bringing in $3.25 million.

Surprisingly given Mexico’s violence problem, almost all of the 22 vehicles that didn’t sell were bulletproof SUVs.

Lopez Obrador said the money raised would be used for social programs.