dailyloe.com – Rick Hendrick purchased a unique military vehicle at auction for one million dollars on Saturday, April 18. The auction took place at Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach in Florida. The entire hammer price will benefit the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation. This marked the first public offering of the GM Defense Infantry Squad Vehicle-Utility.
The one-of-a-kind 2026 ISV-U was engineered by GM Defense. It meets U.S. Army and allied requirements for an ultra-light tactical vehicle. The vehicle featured a custom livery honoring the Medal of Honor legacy. It also commemorated the 250th anniversary of the United States.
The vehicle crossed the auction block before a national audience. Four of the nation’s 64 living Medal of Honor Recipients attended. They were David Bellavia, Kyle Carpenter, Terry Richardson, and Matt Williams. This created a historic moment blending engineering, military heritage, and philanthropy.
Steve duMont is the president of GM Defense. He said GM Defense is proud to stand alongside the Medal of Honor Foundation. He expressed gratitude that the vehicle generated support for service members. He acknowledged those who have given so much for the country.
Rick Hendrick is an avid car collector and chairman of Hendrick Automotive Group. He is also the owner of Hendrick Motorsports. Hendrick serves as chairman of Hendrick Technical Solutions. That company manufactures the rollover protection system and chassis exoskeleton for the ISV-U.
Hendrick called the GM Defense ISV-U an impressive piece of engineering. He said it is built to perform in the world’s most demanding conditions. He stated the auction was special because of what it represents. Honoring service members and supporting the foundation’s mission is incredibly meaningful to him.
Hendrick expressed pride in his partnership with GM Defense. He highlighted the role of Hendrick Technical Solutions in the ISV program. He said he has been around many remarkable vehicles in his lifetime. He noted this vehicle carries a special kind of meaning.
During the auction, Medal of Honor recipient Kyle Carpenter addressed the audience. He formally opened the bidding for the vehicle. His presence reinforced the significance of the moment. He stood as a humble representative of the recipients.
