Google, FCA Put Android In Dash Of Chrysler 300

Google and FCA have partnered to create a concept Chrysler 300 that runs Android 7.0, a.k.a. Nougat. The open-source OS will be powering a version of FCA’s 8.4-inch Uconnect system, sitting behind the scenes and still offering the “unique and intuitive” interface that allows Chrysler to differentiate its infotainment offerings.

Road Show article here

Keywords

apps   Chrysler   Chrysler 300   Google   mobile applications   vehicle technology   

 

Follow @lctmag on Twitter

via Limo News http://ift.tt/2johGDF

2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class Gets A Facelift, Tech Updates

The 2018 Mercedes-Benz S-Class will debut in the northern hemisphere summer with a host of new technologies, including a new high-tech six-cylinder petrol engine with 48-volt mild-hybrid technology, as well an updated semi-autonomous drive system, and, possibly, new Digital Light high-definition headlights.

Car Advice article here

Keywords

Mercedes-Benz   Mercedes-Benz S-Class   new sedans   new vehicles   premium luxury sedans   sedans   vehicle technology   

 

Follow @lctmag on Twitter

via Limo News http://ift.tt/2j2urav

2017 Continental Ready To Rival Audi

When people talk about Audi A6 rivals, they don’t usually mention the Lincoln Continental, even though the Continental is more than capable of giving the Audi A6 a run for its money.

Motoring Crunch article here

Keywords

Audi   lincoln   Lincoln-Continental   new sedans   new vehicles   premium luxury sedans   sedans   Vehicle Reviews   

 

Follow @lctmag on Twitter

via Limo News http://ift.tt/2joguAh

Lincoln Ends 2016 With 10% Sales Increase In U.S.

U.S. growth for the brand in 2016 was particularly robust in key luxury markets like New York, where sales were up 13%; Florida, up 10%; and New Jersey, where sales increased 9%.

SAT Press Releases article here

Keywords

lincoln   Lincoln-Continental   OEMs   vehicle sales   

 

Follow @lctmag on Twitter

via Limo News http://ift.tt/2jof0G8

15 New Ideas For A New Year

Whether it’s a new inventory control system, an employee recognition program, or a budget, January is the best time to act on or experiment wiuth new ideas in your company. If not this year, then when? I’ve listed a few I’ve found worthwhile over my quarter century in daily limousine operations to help you get started.

1. Implement an employee benefits program: A full medical, dental, and life insurance policy or a simple Paid-Time-Off (PTO) program can help you remain competitive as an employer to retain top talent.
2. Start a monthly or quarterly newsletter: You can do a simple newsletter to send internally, externally, or both. Many free templates are available in Word, Constant Contact, and other sources you can use as a guide. You don’t need to have artistic skills to create a great communications tool.
3. Start an employee recognition program: Everyone likes to be recognized. It doesn’t have to be a fancy program. The Employee of the Month could get something as simple as a $10 Starbucks gift card. It’s the thought that counts. You could hang a plaque on the wall and add to it each month. The cost is minimal compared to the mileage received.
4. Set goals and make visual charts for everyone to see progress: From “Days Without An Accident” charts to “Highest Sales In A Day,” having goals and placing them on visual charts encourages everyone to contribute to the goal and allows visual reinforcement of the goals daily.
5. Start a company-wide weight loss program: America is overweight. That’s a fact. It’s not healthy. Your program can be as elaborate has having a periodic “weigh-in” for those who want to compete and share to self-reporting how many pounds each person lost in a week. The idea is to get employees (and yourself) to eat better and take care of themselves. Make a chart to see how the company collectively lost “X” pounds in a week. Have fun with it.
6. Clean out your client database and purge old data: We all have clients in our database who have died, closed their businesses, retired, or defected to other companies. Now is a great time to save some hard drive space, make reports easier to read, and save paper and ink when you do a print out. Purge those people!
7. Verify who has keys to what and change locks if it’s been a while: We hand out keys to those who need them at the time they need them. Sometimes, we ask employees to hang on to a key “just in case.” Now is a good time to ask all key carrying employees what they have keys to and change locks if needed.
8. Implement a mobile app: Society demands all businesses have mobile apps. Don’t get left behind. Mobile apps can be developed for less than $300.
9. Create a social media calendar to remind you to post regularly.
10. Make some videos for your social media sites and your website: Equipment (a smartphone) and access make it possible for any novice to shoot a video. It does not have to be production-level perfect.
11. Review every page of your website and update as needed: This is the time of year to make sure your site is accurate. Did you add vehicles or sell vehicles, and your fleet list is no longer accurate? Are your prices on your website but don’t reflect your 2017 rates?
12. Check review sites such as Yelp, TripAdvisor, Google+, etc.: If you have negative reviews, “claim” your site and respond to them. Do NOT ignore them. It looks like you just don’t care.
13. Delegate duties to others who have sufficient knowledge to lead: You didn’t start a business to live and die in it. You should enjoy your success. Give out new duties to employees at the start of the year and let them take over.
14. Begin planning a grand holiday party for your employees and begin monthly deposits: This is not an area where you want to go the cheapest route. Be generous.
15. Implement employee reviews and start with an evaluation of 2016: You’ll find your employees crave constructive feedback, praise, criticism, and communication.

Smooth Operations provides a broad range of information focused on new ideas and approaches in management, human resources, customer service, marketing, networking and technology. Have something to share or would like covered? You can reach LCT contributing editor and California operator Jim Luff at Jim@LCTmag.com.

Keywords

apps   business goal-setting   business management   data backup   data security   employee benefits   employee management   holiday   Jim Luff   mobile applications   smooth operations   Social Media   social media marketing   video   websites   

 

Follow @lctmag on Twitter

via Limo News http://ift.tt/2iVGXpD

NLA Lays Out 2016 Legislative Agenda

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — Gearing up for the 2016 legislative battle to fight transportation network companies (TNCs), the National Limousine Association on Nov. 10 outlined its tactics and strategies to keep the pressure on legislators. The national trade group held a semi-annual Legislative Update for members during LCT-NLA Show East.

Indicating that the industry’s arguments against TNCs are at a “tipping point moving in our favor,” NLA President Gary Buffo explained that the next four to six months will be critical to see if changes will occur to level the playing field. Buffo, along with Mike Smith of Cornerstone Government Affairs, the NLA’s lobbying firm, presented attendees with an overview of the critical issues the industry will face especially in a Presidential election year.

“The tide is turning because of our consistent messaging,” said Smith, noting that NLA lobbying initiatives coupled with a public relations campaign is getting the association’s message out to Congress and agencies such as the Department of Labor (DOL). It raises the issue that TNCs such as Uber classify drivers as independent contractors versus employees, thereby escaping providing basic employee benefits to drivers, as well as escaping paying corporate taxes.

However, Smith cautioned that Uber will not knuckle-under to pressure to change its business practices or willingly play by the standard rules and regulations that govern the private transportation industry. To emphasize his point, he noted that Uber recently has set up shop in a 72,000-square-foot office in Washington with a handful of employees to ratchet up its presence in the nation’s capital. “They are making that investment to keep their edge portraying themselves as a great innovator, and they have been very successful in doing that,” Smith said. “They also know that they have to keep federal and state legislators silent.” He added that a Fortune magazine article surmised that if Uber had to pay drivers as employees, its costs would shoot up some $4.1 billion.

Although Smith noted that many legislators in Washington treat Uber as a “technology darling,” more politicians are hearing the negative aspects of TNCs, and DOL officials are getting the message that TNCs are like the sweat shops of the 19th Century.

For example, Smith pointed out that 43 states have various bills involving TNCs, and urged members to keep up the pressure at the municipal and state levels in the coming year. He mentioned the traction the industry has gained from the “Ride Responsibly” campaign, and members sticking to the duty-of-care issues regarding passengers, drivers and the public. These include:

• Safety: Focus on passengers and the public.
• Insurance: Personal insurance may not cover all TNC claims; public and passengers may end up footing the bill.
• Deception: Uber and Lyft claim NOT to be transportation companies.
• Drivers’ Employment Status: Employee or contractor?

Regarding the legislative agenda for 2016, Smith said the NLA will maintain pressure on the DOL as well as Capitol Hill regarding TNCs, fight for the industry in the funding of the Highway Bill, and monitor and counter any anti-industry regulations that arise in the new legislative session.

Tom Halligan is LCT East Coast editor, based in Marlton, N.J. He travels regularly to industry association meetings in the eastern U.S. Tom can be reached at tom@lctmag.com.

Keywords

Cornerstone Government Affairs   DOL issues. Department of Labor   Gary Buffo   lobbying   national limousine association   NLA   regulatory enforcement   TNCs   Uber   

 

Follow @lctmag on Twitter

via Limo News http://ift.tt/1RAYKhY