Maybach S Guard Bulletproof Limo Becomes Reality

Coming in at a whopping €470,000 before taxes (about $513,738), the vehicle includes reclining rear seats, the softest leathers and an optional drinks chiller cabinet optimized for champagne.

The car’s windows and body panels can withstand “hardened steel core bullets fired from an assault rifle” — hence the VR10 rating. For a higher rating, prospective clients would need to consider a non-civilian mode of transport.

Zee News article here

Keywords

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Bentley Mulsanne To Preview Mulliner Division Capabilities

“Mulliner is an asset with a history nearly 500 years old, but it is not a well-known name and we must change that,” said Wolfgang Dürheimer, head of Bentley. “It’s an asset, both for customers and for us to develop one-off ideas and see where they lead. It is somewhere exceptional ideas can take shape, and small scale ideas can be developed to larger scale ones.”

Motor Trend article here

Keywords

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Rolls-Royce Ceases Current Phantom Production

The announcement follows the recent news that the manufacturer has begun testing its all-new aluminium architecture, which will underpin every future Rolls-Royce arriving in-market from early 2018.

Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös released this statement: “I am proud and excited to announce that a new Phantom is on the way – a contemporary and beautiful Phantom enhanced with cutting-edge technologies and design innovations. Any new Phantom is an historic and important moment in automotive history and we are working hard on perfecting the Phantom VIII.”

The Chauffeur article here

Keywords

new vehicles   premium luxury sedans   Rolls-Royce   Rolls-Royce Phantom   vehicle production   

 

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Pink & White Hummer Stretch Perfect For Ladies Night Out

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — This used 2008 Hummer H3 SUV stretch limo by LimeLite Coach Works is ideal for bachelorette parties, ladies night out, or proms.

At $55,000, this vehicle is an affordable way to attract female clientele. With space for 10 people, a mirrored ceiling, iPod aux integration and more, this is a limo made for partying until the early hours. At only 16,246 miles, this stretch has a lot more life of the party left in it, and is now on sale at Limoforsale.com.

The seller describes it as, “A Hummer that stands out! 140-in., pearl white with pink flames, and black/white/pink Playboy interior. Superb condition.”

DETAILS, PHOTOS, SELLER INFO HERE

Keywords

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Cadillac CT6 Oscar Commercial Now Available Online

Cadillac will air its first commercial for the new CT6 sedan during the 2016 Oscars, but you can watch it here beforehand.

The company sent out a preview of the commercial to select clientele and one forum user uploaded it for the world to see.

Auto Guide article here

Keywords

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You Want The Most, You’re Getting The Most

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — What is on track to be the biggest LCT Show in a decade revs up over the weekend as an expected 3,000 attendees gather at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino for the 2016 International LCT Show Feb. 29 to March 2.

Attendees from almost all 50 states and more about 30 nations start arriving today through Sunday for the biggest annual global gathering of operators, vendors and friends of the global chauffeured transportation and motorcoach industries. Still unknown are the number of last-minute onsite registrants and day pass attendees.

The Show is being billed with the “Roaring 20s” theme of “The Great Industry Event.” More than 130 exhibitors parking 100-plus fleet vehicles will pack a 200,000 square-foot convention hall over the three days to create a commerce town ideal for browsing, buying, selling, networking and socializing all in one place. The Show
also doubles as an annual industry reunion ripe with limo war story swapping.

And in an unexpected indicator that LCT has not seen since the “Roaring 2000s,” the in-house discounted room block at the Mandalay Bay AND the overflow discounted room block at the Luxor Las Vegas next door have sold out. Rooms are still available at both hotels, connected via monorail, but at market rates.

Sedan Show-Stealers

Headlining the great event his year will be the industry debuts of the Lincoln-Continental and the Cadillac CT6, two premium, longer-wheelbase luxury sedans that combine a traditional limousine appeal with advanced technologies and amenities. The Lincoln-Continental will be unsheathed at 6 p.m., Monday, Feb. 29 at the Lincoln exhibit, while the CT6 arrives fully exposed at the 4:30 p.m. show floor grand opening. Both OEMs will host Ask The Manufacturer panels the next morning.

About four-fifths of all exhibitors will be either releasing or debuting a new product, service, and/or upgrade. LCT officially launches LCTconnect.com, the industry’s first ever online, real-time affiliate matchmaking site that speeds up the freedom of association for affiliating. Demos will be held at the LCT booth just outside the entrance to the convention hall.

Along with frenzied business networking and affiliate connecting typical of LCT trade shows, operators will have plenty of issues to talk about, such as the need for better chauffeur and driver background checks following the recent Uber driver killings in Kalamazoo, Mich.

The National Limousine Association, co-sponsor of the Show and programmer of the B2B educational sessions, will udpate its members on TNC-related legislative, regulatory and public relations efforts on behalf of the industry during two back-to-back sessions Monday, Feb. 29 from 10 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. FULL SHOW SCHEDULE

Once again, LCT will be covering the event in bits and pieces across social media platforms. The LCTMag.com home page will feature live updates via Twitter and Instagram. Any attendee may participate in covering the Show by simply adding the hashtag #lctshow on any Twitter, Insta, or Facebook posts.

Meet new LCT financial columnist Ron Sorci at the LCT booth, Tuesday, March 1, at 1 p.m.

Related: @ the LCT booth and on the show floor: Look for free copies of the March issue of LCT Magazine, featuring a fold-out cover of the Grech Motors team, and the February issue, featuring the Lincoln team with the new Continental.

From the Grech article: 

“Grech Motors, the keynote sponsor of the 2016 International LCT Show, has once again set its sights on redefining the luxury group transportation business. The high-end coachbuilder has introduced a new model for 2016: the GM28 E-450 luxury bus. It will join a lineup that already includes the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Ford F-550 GM33 and Freightliner chassis in various sizes (GM36, GM40, and GM45).

“The GM28 E-450 was produced as a direct result from operator feedback. To continue innovating, the Grech Motors team keeps a close eye and ear to industry trends and client demands. They accomplish this by building strong personal relationships with customers that transcend the merely transactional.”

Lead sponsors of this year’s Show include:

• TOP Official Level: Grech Motors & Don Brown Bus Sales Inc.
• Premier Level: Ford/Lincoln Limousine and Livery Vehicles, Cadillac Professional Vehicles, Karhoo and Autocab
• Title Level: iCars

For a complete list of all sponsors, click on the SPONSOR PAGE.

Keywords

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Cadillac CT6 Oscar Commercial

Keywords

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Have You Packed These Items For The International LCT Show?

Nobody likes having to buy overpriced items at the airport or hotel because they were too busy to remember to pack some aspirin or gum. LCT Contributing Editor Jim Luff has created a list of “Must Haves” on your packing list.

In the electronics department, make sure to bring plenty of charger cords for whatever phone or portable electronic devices you plan to have on hand. Although your cell phone camera might have great resolution, it doesn’t hurt to have a digital camera on your person as backup. Other items to remember include ear buds, a few USB sticks, and a portable wireless mouse.

If you plan on taking notes at various events (which is always a good idea), remember to pack supplies like 3 x 5 index cards, large and small note pads, pens, pencils, a Sharpie, highlighters, paper clips, scotch tape, and binder clips. DO NOT FORGET TO BRING YOUR BUSINESS CARDS!! Networking opportunities abound!

Unfortunately, you never know when you might get the sniffles or accidently cut your finger. Assorted band-aids, gauze pads, and butterfly closures are good ideas. Various medicines like Pepto Bismol and Immodium tablets, aspirin/Tylenol, and cough drops come in handy when you least expect it. If you suffer from asthma or diabetes, make sure to pack your inhaler or glucose test kit.

Remember, even if you don’t catch cold, the background casino smoke, dry desert air, and gradual dehydration can leave you raspy. Drink plenty of water, even when you’re not really thirsty.

Personal necessities, including Clorox wipes, Stridex face wipes, hand sanitizer
moist toweletts, mints, and dental floss will help keep you looking and smelling clean and professional.

Emergency preparation items such a lighter, Swiss Army Knife (be careful around the TSA), mini flashlight, zip ties, ear plugs, and spare change are smart to keep in whatever bag will NOT be coming with you as a carry-on.

Unfortunately, as is the case with the common cold, there still is no absolute cure for a Vegas-style hangover. But you can take the edge off one with lots of water before bedtime and a big, greasy, protein-laden breakfast in the morning with plenty of coffee.

Happy & Safe Travels!

Keywords

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Roaring 20s Band To Take Stage At LCT Awards Celebration

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — If the numbers are right, the theme of this year’s International LCT Show and Awards Celebration should be the perfect fit.

With expected high attedance and exhibits, the Roaring 20s — costumes, band and elegant good times — converge Tuesday, March 1 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino for the annual LCT Magazine Awards Celebration.

The gala, to include complimentary cocktails and a buffet dinner, culminates in the annual Operator of the Year Awards, which will recognize six outstanding limousine companies for business excellence, and one trade association for being a role model of industry leadership and activism. LCT received an unusually high number of award applicants and nominations this year, resulting in the number of finalists in several categories rising to four companies instead of three.

Entertainment will be provided by Ginger & The Hoosier Daddys, an early 1920s jazz to early 1940s big swing band from Hollywood, Calif. The band is lead by singer Ginger Pauley, an all-American “it girl” with a feather boa and fluttering eyelashes.

Tickets to the event cost $50 per person at the door, which is all inclusive and considered a prime deal in Las Vegas which is known for expensive wining and dining. Attendees may wear Great Gatsby-style “Roaring 20s” themed outfits and garments.

Gala sponsor Lincoln Limousine & Livery Vehicles will once again prove among the strongest industry supporters with announcements and donations related to the National Limousine Association and its philanthropic arm, the Harold Berkman Memorial Fund.

Lincoln set a record for sponsor generosity when it donated more than $70,000 to the NLA and the Berkman Fund during the 2015 Awards Celebration.

Keywords

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DriveProfit, Rental Limo Strategically Align to Propel Operators’ ROI

St. Petersburg, Fla. — Marketing firm DriveProfit and booking service and technology provider Rental Limo have partnered up in an effort to help limousine operators significantly increase their return on investment for online marketing efforts. The DriveProfit/Rental Limo strategic alliance will enroll all DriveProfit clients as Gold members of Rental Limo while empowering these operators to use Rental Limo’s 3-step booking process, known as Book.limo, on their existing websites.

“DriveProfit clients will be featured and geographically marketed in their respective cities throughout Rental Limo’s impressive and growing online footprint,” says Pat Charla, CEO of DriveProfit. “More importantly, DriveProfit clients can now experience the higher conversion rate of Book.limo, resulting in an immediate ROI spike for online marketing and website traffic. We are thrilled to be able to pave the path for our operators to upgrade to the latest and greatest online website reservation technology.”

According to Rental Limo, Book.limo lets operators embed a white-label version of the Rental Limo 3-step reservation process directly onto their company website in minutes. Operators can easily add vehicles, set rates, and create coupon codes with the click of a button by logging into the Book.limo control panel. Customers enjoy the ease of booking and paying for rides directly from the transportation company’s website in less than a minute.

“We’re very excited to be partnering with DriveProfit and their impressive clientele of chauffeured transportation and limo companies to increase their online presence as well as ours,” says Rental Limo Founder & CEO, Ryan Hilberth. “We look forward to working with each limo company, in tandem with Pat and her team, to significantly improve their website reservation process and web exposure.”

Rental Limo provides chauffeured transportation services across half the U.S. with over 150 different companies. The company’s main website, rentalimo.com, allows customers to easily browse, compare, and book providers and vehicles, everything from sedans and SUVs to motorcoaches. Customers can access a mobile version of the site on m.rentalimo.com on their iPhone or Android smartphone.

DriveProfit’s clients include Exclusive Sedan Service in North Hollywood, Calif., as well as 25 other top chauffeured transportation providers ranging across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. The first operator to go live as part of the alliance is Exclusive Sedan Service. As a result of the partnership, Rental Limo’s coverage and company/fleet options will increase nationwide. “We are very pleased to hear that Ryan and Pat will be working together on this project to help our company continue to grow,” said Brandan Stein, president and COO of Exclusive Sedan Service.

Visit driveprofit.com for more information about DriveProfit; visit rentalimo.com for more information about Rental Limo.

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Chauffeur Training Program Set To Debut At LCT Show

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — The limousine industry is about to get its first consistent, yet flexible, online training program that strives to set universal high standards for chauffeured service.

Tiered to chauffeurs as well as company employees, PAX Certified Training launches at its booth, No. 816, on the exhibit floor of the International LCT Show at the Mandalay Bay convention center in Las Vegas, Feb. 29 to March 2.

In creating and developing PAX, which is the Roman word for “Peace,” creator Bruce Heinrich, owner of LEADER Worldwide of Kansas City, Mo., drew upon his many years as an operator and his prior experience working for The Ritz-Carlton Marina del Rey in Los Angeles. Heinrich, a 2009 LCT Operator of the Year Award winner, was inspired by the Ritz customer service training programs and the training philosophy of the late industry consultant and operator educator, Tom Mazza.

The PAX curriculum involves six key components of service and knowledge for which users can be tested and certified. Trainees work online at their own paces. Limousine company clients can add to the components or integrate them with their in-house training programs. As part of the program format, operators can communicate and update training points with employees via email as often as they like. E-verification options ensure employees have read and understood any training policies or instructions.

The online program marks a significant change in technology and approach from prior chauffeur training programs wedded to DVDs, videos and/or guidebooks.

“PAX was created to create a gold standard of what passengers should expect, especially when TNCs (transportation network companies) are making such an impact,” Heinrich told LCT. “It’s a way to differentiate ourselves from the TNCs. If you are farming a trip to another city, you’d feel better knowing that the chauffeur has been PAX certified and up to that standard of training.”

As of today, 26 limousine companies ranging from small to large fleets have either signed up with or requested PAX Certified Training. Among them: Reston Limousine of Sterling, Va., Premier Transportation of Dallas, and Hermes Worldwide of Denver.

“What’s really cool about program is it’s geared for every company no matter its fleet size,” Heinrich said. “The whole premise is to provide peace of mind for passengers, for their dispatches, for the owner/operator and for the chauffeurs because it empowers them to make good decisions with the common end goal in mind.”

More PAX Certified Training coverage coming in the April issue of LCT Magazine

Keywords

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DriveProfit, Rental Limo Combine Client Reach To Increase ROI

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. —DriveProfit, a marketing firm for limousine companies, and Rental Limo, a nationwide chauffeured transportation booking service and technology provider, have partnered to help limousine operators significantly increase their return on investment for online marketing.

The DriveProfit / Rental Limo strategic alliance will enroll all DriveProfit clients as Gold members of Rental Limo, while empowering these operators to use Rental Limo’s three-step booking process, known as Book.limo, on their existing websites.

“DriveProfit clients will be featured and geographically marketed in their respective cities throughout Rental Limo’s impressive and growing online footprint,” said Pat Charla, CEO of DriveProfit, in a press release. “More importantly, DriveProfit clients can now experience the higher conversion rate of Book.limo, resulting in an immediate ROI spike for online marketing and website traffic.”

Book.limo lets operators embed a white-label version of the Rental Limo 3-step reservation process directly onto their company website. Operators can easily add vehicles, set rates, and create coupon codes with the click of a button by logging into the Book.limo control panel.

“We’re very excited to be partnering with DriveProfit and their impressive clientele of chauffeured transportation and limo companies to increase their online presence as well as ours,” said Rental Limo Founder & CEO, Ryan Hilberth. “We look forward to working with each limo company, in tandem with Pat and her team, to significantly improve their website reservation process and web exposure.”

Rental Limo provides limousine services across half the U.S. with more than 150 different limo companies. The company’s main website, www.rentalimo.com, allows customers to easily browse, compare, and book chauffeured transportation providers and vehicles such as sedans, SUVs, vans, stretch limos, shuttles, party buses and motor coaches. Customers can access a mobile version of the site on m.rentalimo.com on their iPhone or Android smart phone.

DriveProfit’s clients include Exclusive Sedan Service in North Hollywood, Calif., owned by Ron Stein and Brandan Stein, as well as 25 other top chauffeured transportation providers nationwide, Canada, and the U.K. The first operator to go live as part of the alliance is Exclusive Sedan Service. As a result of the partnership, Rental Limo’s coverage and company/fleet options will increase nationwide.

The Rental Limo exhibit booth, No. 1315, will also represent Drive Profit on the exhibit hall floor during the International LCT Show, Feb. 29 to March 2.

Source: DriveProfit and Rental Limo press release

Keywords

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NLA Leaders Speak Out On Ride-Hail Problems

The President of the National Limousine Association, Gary Buffo, and a board director and co-founder of the trade group, Dav El / BostonCoach CEO Scott Solombrino, issued these statements Feb. 25, following the Uber driver killings in Kalamazoo, Mich. last weekend.

Solombrino is part of a coalition called Ride Safe Massachusetts, which is pushing for regulations for transportation network companies.

NLA leaders will be discussing the issue of driver background checks and other safety-related measures at NLA membership meetings and presentations on Feb. 29 (10 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.) during the International LCT Show Feb. 29-March 2 in Las Vegas. Show schedule

Full text of statements:

“The tragic and horrific acts committed in Kalamazoo, Michigan are the latest in a string of incidents involving ride-hailing service drivers, many of which could have been avoided or averted with due diligence and basic communications protocols. Without suitably comprehensive background checks to prevent unfit drivers from getting behind the wheel or reliable early-warning standards and practices to monitor, respond and react to potentially dangerous driver situations, these services are putting passengers, drivers and the general public at risk. By relying on little more than algorithmic rating systems and providing limited means of communication between the company and its passengers, ride-hailing apps like Uber are operating in a bubble, without a reliable means of real-time, person-to-person communications.” — Scott Solombrino, NLA board director and co-founder of The National Limousine Association

“The NLA and its members understand and champion client and passenger service as a cornerstone of their business, and value personal contact and relationships, both with drivers and passengers, as one of the most critical aspects of their responsibility as transportation providers. The ability to identify, address and rectify customer, employee and safety issues, in order to offer exemplary service, is the mission of our members and their organizations, and a mission that we feel is glaringly absent from the agenda of ride-hailing services, which all too often leads to disastrous consequences.” — Gary Buffo, President of The National Limousine Association

NLA Ride Responsibly Campaign: http://ift.tt/1OckddM

Keywords

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