Some German politicians choose to express their regional origins through the make of car they use. In particular officials from Bavaria customarily prefer cars from Munich-based BMW over the more common Mercedes brand. Some high-ranking politicians from Alliance '90/The Greens (Germany's green party) have chosen Audi, VW or BMW cars. While in office, former chancellor Gerhard Schröder initially used an Audi for his official car, a brand he is known to prefer as his personal car as well. Later during his administrative term, Volkswagen presented him with a VW Phaeton which found its way into the car pool. Before becoming the chancellor, he had been the minister president of Lower Saxony, where Volkswagen is headquartered and is a major employer; and the state government owns several stocks in the company. His successor in office, current chancellor Angela Merkel is known to alternate between brands as to project neutrality and support the German car industry in general.