Larry Page's Car Collection

Larry Page, co-founder of Google has a net worth of $161 Billion in 2024, according to Forbes. He is renowned not only for his technological innovations but also for his distinctive car collection. Unlike many billionaires who favor flashy supercars, his collection emphasizes sustainability and innovation, reflecting his commitment to alternative energy solutions and minimizing his carbon footprint.

1. Toyota Prius

Larry Page unlike other multi-billionaires stays away from flashy cars and prefers a sustainable choice of four wheels. A Toyota Prius is one such vehicle in his garage. Reports suggest that Larry Page drives his Prius regularly, similar to his co-founder Sergey Brin, who also owns a Prius. Interestingly, both Priuses don’t have Android Auto, Google's in-car connectivity system. This has sparked discussions about the irony of the two tech moguls driving a car that lacks their own technology. 

Larry Page developed a fondness for the Toyota Prius, which was pivotal in Google's autonomous driving initiative. When it came time to select a vehicle for testing self-driving technology, Page chose the humble Prius. Under Page and Sergey Brin's leadership, engineers were tasked with achieving fully autonomous driving without human intervention along ten challenging 100-mile routes in California. This ambitious project began in early 2009, well before any state established driverless car testing regulations. The project ultimately led to the creation of Waymo.

2. Tesla Roadster

Larry Page has often expressed admiration for Nikola Tesla, stating that he viewed him as a hero. This admiration likely influenced his decision to invest $40 million in Tesla Motors. Placing his money in his mouth, Larry added the Tesla Roadster to his garage. Although lately he hasn’t been spotted driving around California in the Roadster. Apart from him, Arnold Schwarzenegger, the then Governor of California also got himself the Roadster. However, it isn’t clear whether Elon Musk influenced his decision through his own remarkable car collection or was in support of Larry’s mantra of sustainable technology.

One of the most infamous stories involves a test drive that Page and fellow co-founder Sergey Brin took with Elon Musk in an early version of the Tesla Roadster. During this ride, the car famously struggled to exceed 10 mph, leading Musk to assure them that it could go much faster awkwardly. Musk described this experience as "the world's worst demo," yet Page and Brin were impressed enough to continue their support for Tesla despite the car's shortcomings at that time. 

3. Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Larry’s garage is not filled with just sustainable and eco-friendly cars, he also owns a handful of luxury German sedans. Of them, the entry-level sedan Mercedes-Benz C-Class is the first one on the list. 

While specifics about his usage patterns are not documented, it is common for individuals of Page's stature to utilize luxury vehicles for both personal and professional engagements. This could include attending tech conferences, investor meetings, or other significant gatherings where a luxurious vehicle may be more appropriate.

4. Tesla Model S

The Tesla Model S is another electric car from the brand that Page has made his investment. Not only that, as per Yahoo Finance, Page has publicly stated that he would rather give his fortune to Elon Musk than donate it to charity, indicating his strong belief in Musk’s vision for Tesla.

Page's investment and support for Tesla both in the form of investment and owning cars from the brand reflect his broader vision for sustainable technology. If you summarize his talks on sustainability it is clear Page believes in the potential of electric vehicles to reduce carbon footprints. This aligns with Google's initiatives in renewable energy and sustainability.

Other Notable Mentions-

Kitty Hawk

The co-founder of Google has made significant strides in the development of flying cars through his investments in companies like Kitty Hawk. Through this, he has access to three vehicles developed by the company i.e., Cora, Flyer, and Heaviside. Cora is a two-seater flying taxi designed for urban air mobility, Cora operates as an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The Flyer is another innovative project designed as a single-occupant flying boat. It resembles a large drone and is powered by multiple battery-operated propellers. The Flyer is intended for recreational use, allowing users to fly at low altitudes and speeds of around 20 mph. 

Heaviside is another ambitious project in Page's flying car portfolio, developed by Opener, a company he acquired in 2014. Heaviside is designed as a single-seater eVTOL aircraft. An interesting aspect of Heaviside is its focus on sustainability as it utilizes electric propulsion systems. According to reports, Larry Page has invested at least $330 million into Kitty Hawk over its lifetime, utilizing a shell company for these transactions. In addition to Kitty Hawk, Page has also invested over $100 million in another flying car venture, Zee.Aero, which he funded since its inception in 2010.

Fighter Jet

In 2011, Larry Page, along with fellow Google co-founder Sergey Brin and former CEO Eric Schmidt, purchased the Dornier Alpha Jet. This military aircraft was acquired as part of a broader strategy to secure access to Moffett Field, a historic airfield in Mountain View, California. 

The Dornier Alpha Fighter Jet is a versatile military aircraft known for its agility and performance. Designed primarily for training and light attack roles. In addition to acquiring the Dornier Alpha Jet, Page and his co-founders invested $33 million to renovate Hangar One at Moffett Field. This is a historic structure and was originally built for military airships. Now it has become a base for their aircraft collection.

Luxury Yacht

Larry Page purchased the Senses yacht in 2011 for approximately $45 million from New Zealand businessman Sir Douglas Myers. The yacht, measuring 194 feet (59 meters), was originally launched in 1999 and underwent several refits before Page acquired it. The interior was designed by renowned designer Philippe Starck. 

Senses were equipped with numerous luxury amenities like a helipad, a private beach club complete with a jacuzzi and sunbeds, spacious indoor and outdoor dining areas, and accommodation for up to 12 guests in luxurious suites, including a master suite with a gyro-stabilized bed. Also, a well-stocked toy box featuring high-speed tenders, wave runners, and other water sports equipment. That said, in 2021, it was reported that Larry Page sold his superyacht Senses to an undisclosed buyer.

Electric Motorbikes

Larry Page owns several models of the Zero X, an electric motorcycle produced by Zero Motorcycles. The Zero X is designed for off-road use and is known for its lightweight construction, weighing around 140 pounds. 

Private Jets

In 2005, Larry Page and fellow co-founder Sergey Brin purchased a Boeing 767-200 for approximately $15 million. Following the purchase, they invested an additional $10 million to completely overhaul the jet's interior, transforming it into a luxurious space suitable for long-haul travel.

A memorable anecdote from the renovation process involves a humorous disagreement between Page and Brin regarding the size of the bed in the jet's primary bedroom. Brin wanted a California king-sized bed, while Page had different preferences. Eric Schmidt, then CEO of Google, intervened with a light-hearted resolution: “Sergey, you can have whatever bed you want in your room; Larry, you can have whatever kind of bed you want in your bedroom. Let's move on.”

In addition to the Boeing 767-200, Page and Brin expanded their fleet to include multiple aircraft. They acquired two Gulfstream V jets and a Boeing 757 in 2007. To accommodate their growing fleet, in 2011, Page, Brin, and Schmidt invested $33 million to renovate Hangar One at Moffett Field in Mountain View, California.

In addition to Hangar One, there were plans announced in 2011 for an $82 million private terminal at Mineta San Jose International Airport specifically designed for the use of Google’s founders. This terminal would further enhance their travel efficiency and privacy while accommodating their extensive fleet.