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Showing posts with label January 25. Show all posts
Showing posts with label January 25. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 25, 2017
A Look At Presidential Limos Through History
Sales Of New, Used Motorcoaches Grow Steady In 2016
“2016 was a stellar year for motorcoach manufacturers,” ABA Foundation President Peter Pantuso said. “Last year showed a 3% growth in new motorcoach sales and a 14.3% growth in pre-owned coaches. As the industry continues to grow, operators are reinvesting their profits back into the comfort for their passengers.”
The survey showed the growth was dominated by sales to private firms in 2016. Overall, new coach sales to companies was up by more than 195 units (10.9% increase). This was offset somewhat by a reduction in sales to public sector agencies of 125 units. After a flat year in 2014, sales to private firms have risen steadily, suggesting investors are bullish on the sector, and that firms are upgrading equipment and opening up new opportunities.
Looking deeper, there has been a marked increase in the private sector sales of new small (30-<40-ft.) coaches compared to years past. In 2015, 184 vehicles were sold. Small coach sales in 2016 increased 44.6% to 266 vehicles. Meanwhile, sales of the largest coaches (45 ft. plus in length) stayed about the same.
“The increase in sales of smaller vehicles point to a shift that the motorcoach tourism industry has experienced over the past few years, as tours have become more specialized, catering to smaller groups and more diverse agendas,” Pantuso said.
About the Report
Data were collected by John Dunham & Associates for the American Bus Association Foundation. John Dunham & Associates is a New York City-based economic consulting firm specializing in the economics of fast moving issues. Data, which reflect updated results from prior reports, were collected by John Dunham & Associates for the American Bus Association Foundation. Changes in data definitions and reporting occurred over the past quarter and are reflected in these figures.
About the ABA Foundation
The American Bus Association Foundation (ABAF) is the scholarship and research arm of the motorcoach, tour and travel industry. The largest non-profit in motorcoach group travel, the ABAF distributes $100,000 a year in scholarships to industry families and invests in research to demonstrate the important role motorcoach transportation plays in society.
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American Bus Association buses industry trends mini-buses motorcoaches statistics vehicle sales
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Uber CTO Goes Off On Trump In Email
The email reportedly resurfaced this week, as more employees circulated the message internally.
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Owner Of Burnt Limo Could Face $100,000 In Damages
If insurance covers it, he’s still looking at a cost between $30,000 to $40,000.
Previous article: Owner Says Loss May Not Be Covered
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Donald Trump family businesses limousine fires limousine safety safety vehicle safety Virginia operators Washington DC operators
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Time Almost Up To Become An Operator Of The Year
There’s no excuse for dilly-dallying because it’s now easier than ever to apply with our online submission form that allows you to digitally attach supporting word docs or PDF files.
If you’re not sure where to even start, check out what some operators have already sent in here.
ENTRY FORM HERE (The form also can be accessed at the top of the LCTmag.com home page by clicking the “LCT Awards” link)
LCT gives the awards to six operators who excel in the areas of customer service, technology, training, media and marketing, safety, and community/industry involvement.
Winning operators in the past have enjoyed a boon in marketing potential and industry stature.
A panel of judges scores finalists in each of those categories for the following OOY awards: 1-10 fleet vehicles; 11-30 fleet vehicles; 31-50 fleet vehicles; 51+ fleet vehicles; motorcoach; and global/international.
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Nine States To Be Driverless Car Testing Grounds
The selection came after a nationwide contest among testing centers that began in November, Bloomberg reports.
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autonomous vehicles driverless cars federal regulations self-driving vehicles U.S. Department of Transportation
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M&V Limousines Acquires Two Long Island Operations
Company President & CEO Mark Vigliante said the acquisitions will help grow his budding special occasion and tour businesses, as well as launch a new shuttle/commuter bus service between New York City and Long Island.
With the acquisition of Classic Coach (which was in bankruptcy), M&V also bought Hampton Luxury Liner that Classic purchased in 2011. “We have plans to relaunch the Hampton Luxury Liner serving New York City to the Hamptons in spring 2017. It will be a mix of luxury and affordability for Hamptons-bound New York City folks,” Vigliante said.
To add to the diversity and panache of his growing wedding and special occasion business, M&V’s purchase of Lancelot included eight vehicles: Three antique cars, two party buses, a Bentley flying spur, and two limousines.
“We also purchased a trolley at auction from Classic Coach we used in last month’s Holiday Light Tours that caught great attention.” With these additional vehicles, M&V Limousines now has a total of 70 vehicles,” Vigliante said. The Lancelot name will remain.
Celebrating 24 years in business, M&V received SmartCEO’s Corporate Culture Award. In addition to being named as a 2017 Future50 company, which recognizes 50 of the region’s fastest growing, mid-sized companies.
Read Southampton Press story.
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business deals business growth mergers & acquisitions New York operators operation growth
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How To Keep Insurance Rates Under Control
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — Across the limousine industry, insurance rates have soared during the last few years. Operators have reported annual increases from 10% to 20% — or more. Some have been flat-out turned down for vehicle coverage. Still, operators can tap proven strategies and safety procedures to keep their rate hikes as low as possible.
These issues were the key points from a panel of insurance industry experts during the “State of Insurance in the Ground Transportation Industry” session held Nov. 15, during the LCT-NLA Show East at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City.
Moderated by National Limousine Association board director Doug Schwartz (Executive Limousine, Long Island, N.Y.), the panel explained fewer insurance companies serve the limousine market while the commercial auto insurance industry has lost money in the past five years. Other drivers of higher rates include: An uptick in auto injuries and fatalities; higher medical and vehicle repair costs; and lawsuits by hack attorneys who target the ground transportation industry.
Further, the panel agreed the addition of larger capacity buses and motorcoaches throughout the limousine industry creates more of a risk factor for insurers. Operators who run party buses are a red flag for underwriters. Party buses in particular incur rate increases because of higher liability from the potential of multiple passenger injuries and large medical claims.
“Because some insurance companies have pulled out of this market, there is a smaller pool of insurers that can be more selective,” Mushorn added. As the economy improved from the Great Recession, “ride frequency and mileage are up and there are not as many qualified chauffeurs, and the ambulance chasers are out there,” he said. Regarding party buses, “it’s a hot button because you have people standing in a vehicle when it is in motion.”
Wiltgen said, “In the insurance industry we look at trends to determine rates, and many factors go into determining rates, such as what things will cost in the future.” She explained she has seen medical costs increase, and noted today’s vehicles are more expensive and cost more to repair due to the amount of electronics — all factors insurers consider when writing policies.
The panel agreed another risk factor centered on the chauffeur shortage and older drivers. For example, Mushorn pointed out drivers over age 70 have more accidents than the 25 to 29-year-old driver pool, and the high turnover rate of chauffeurs are factors in increasing accidents.
Running A Safe Company Pays Off
Operators who commit to consistently running a safe company will maintain their rates or see the smallest rate increases. That common sense logic shouldn’t be news to anyone in the limousine business. Here are some tips, strategies, and best practices that can help you run a safe operation, reduce your claims, and present your company to agents and insurers as a good bet to obtain an affordable policy:
“Your best defense is to be consistent and follow safety policies that will help you in the long run,” Wiltgen says.
The panel also suggested operators install vehicle cameras and tracking systems that can work to their advantage in a disputed claim.
“At the end of the day, it’s always been true good operators pay less then bad operators,” Ackerman said. Marroccoli mentioned that he had three clients he estimated saved more than $1 million in payouts because cameras recorded accidents where the driver was not at fault. He noted one accident where a bicycle messenger ran a stop sign, which the camera recorded, proving the chauffeur did not cause it.
Here are some additional strategies from the panel to keep insurance rates low:
- Don’t file a claim for every scratch, dent, or cracked glass. Ask yourself, Is it worth it to file a claim?
- Consider higher deductibles.
- Instill in chauffeurs a sense of ownership of the vehicles they drive so they are more prone to take care of them and drive more cautiously.
- Consistently go over safety manuals and procedures with chauffeurs, and implement an incentive program for safe driving.
- Make sure your affiliates and subcontractors are fully insured and their certificates are on file and up to date.
- Review your loss runs and fix problem areas or patterns.
- Review your hiring practices. Regularly check all drivers’ MVR (motor vehicle records). Establish and adhere to driver guidelines, and have a formal training program in place.
- Monitor vehicle maintenance
- Review DOT authority and safety records (www.safersys.org) as well as state and local authority records.
“If there is one point I want you to remember today,” Ackerman said, it is frequency of claims breeds severity, and that tells us a big event is coming. You need to control your operation and everyone has to be accountable for training and safety.”
Tip To Remember
To get the best rates, Marroccoli suggests operators need to be more vigilant in the renewal process. “Most people think about their policy 10 to 30 days before renewal, when they should be dealing with it 60 to 90 days out. You should talk to your broker and review your account and make sure it is up to date and accurate. If your account shows lots of losses, then something is wrong and needs to be corrected.”
— Tom@LCTmag.com
Company Culture Determines The Best Rates
- Carries a larger deductible to help minimize claims frequency and overall cost of insurance.
- Comprehensive driver hiring criteria inclusive of accepting
MVR guidelines.
- Enhanced safety and loss control efforts inclusive of the latest technology web-based technology.
- Driver recognition program that helps to retain good drivers and reduce turnover.
- Consistently low loss ratio (loses divided by premium) and low claims frequency.
Operator B
- Purchases the lowest deductible available.
- Minimal consideration toward unacceptable MVRs.
- Outdated safety handouts, videos, or driver meetings with no accountability for learning. No recognition program with a high turnover rate.
- Higher loss ratio levels and frequency of claims (frequency breeds severity).
Keywords
Atlantic city choosing coverage Harrah’s insurance policies insurance rates Lancer Insurance LCT-NLA Show East limousine insurance providers Safety & Insurance
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Monday, January 25, 2016
Sprinter Designer Van Deserves To Be Brand New
So don’t let a listing on Limoforsale.com, an online marketplace for mostly used limo fleet vehicles, fool you.
Designer Coach near Denver is selling the van for $98,900 at 300 miles on Limoforsale.com. DETAILS, PHOTOS, CONTACT INFO HERE.
The 12-passenger Sprinter comes with a full warranty and has the right mix of amenities and controls to transform among corporate and party bus interiors. Larger, upscale vans such as the Sprinter are becoming the new stretch limousine of the 21st Century. Those models that can be adapted to multiple client uses are highly sought after by operators looking to minimize fleet overhead and appeal to a wider client base.
This van limo, for example, has a separate rear luggage compartment (road shows, airport runs) and a disco ceiling and lighting features (nights out) to underscore its versatility.
Keywords
custom coachbuilders LimoForSale.com luxury vans Mercedes-Benz online vehicle sales party buses Sprinter used vehicles vehicle conversions vehicle sales
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What’s Next For Lincoln Vehicle Line-Up?
“I think we have a very strong core portfolio,” he said. “We have strong products in all of the core segments in the U.S. and in China.”
But, he said, there are more new models for Lincoln on the way.
[Soon, the oldest Lincoln left in the lineup will be the big MKT crossover, last overhauled for the 2013 model year. And given that its Ford sibling, the Explorer, was revamped for 2016, it’s likely that a refreshed MKT is already in the works].
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concept car lincoln Lincoln MKT Lincoln Motor Company Lincoln-Continental new vehicles
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Sneak Peek At The Next Presidential Limousine
Outwardly, most have some passing resemblance to production models, and most of them over the past half-century have been loosely based on either a Lincoln Town Car or Cadillac Fleetwood. The most recent one, known internally as “the Beast,” is believed to be based on a GM Top Kick/Kodiak medium-duty truck platform, and be diesel-powered, either by a 6.5L or Duramax 6.6L V-8. Only an elite few know for sure, and they aren’t talking.
With the imminent arrival of a new commander in chief comes a new executive ride. Our crack spy photographer managed to get through the notoriously tight security surrounding these models to nab the next-generation presidential limousine testing at a GM test track.
Truck Trend Network article here
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Spot Poll: Lincoln-Continental Or CT6?
That’s because not only Cadillac but Lincoln will be launching all-new luxury sedans into the marketplace. Cadillac is promoting the all-new CT6 sedan. Lincoln will be debuting the all-new Continental.
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Cadillac CT6 Ready To Roll Off Assembly Line
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How To Hire The Right Affiliate Manager
New Jersey operator Jeff Shanker explains what business skills and qualities are needed to help grow business, expand operations for more farm-out work, and provide seamless one-call transportation service.
About the Presenter
Jeff Shanker is executive vice president of A-1 Limousine, Inc., a 220-vehicle fleet with multiple locations in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Shanker joined A-1 specifically to help grow its affiliate network. He previously owned a limousine service in the 1980s, and also serves as the current president of the Limousine Associations of New Jersey (LANJ).
As a general rule, Shanker advises against hiring an affiliate manager if your sales fall under $100,000 a month, since it is unlikely you could afford the type of manager needed. Also, a seasoned affiliate or sales manager has specialized training, knowledge and skill sets you may not understand or be able to manage, said Shanker, who led a session on the subject on Nov. 9 during LCT-NLA Show East. About 100 operators packed into the room hoping to expand their affiliate bases and hear what attributes make a great affiliate partnership.
Attributes Of Affiliate Managers
Affiliate managers must be very personable. By the nature of their job, they should have the gift of gab. “This means smiling on the phone when they speak,” Shanker said. “They must be outgoing and friendly with social skills that allow them to easily converse with clients, fellow employees, and other limousine operator in person, through emails, social media and of course trade shows, such as next month’s International LCT Show in Las Vegas.
In addition to being personable, affiliate managers must be good with numbers, geography, and of course, negotiating rates that benefit your company and meet the needs of incoming farm orders without giving the farm away. They also must be empowered to make quick decisions on behalf of the company.
What Affiliate Managers Do
“Affiliate managers are ambassadors of your company who take ownership in the company,” Shanker said. “It is their job to analyze where your clients are traveling to and develop affiliates in those cities to handle the continued transportation needs in their respective cities. They must be able to negotiate the price you will pay to an affiliate that allows you to make a small profit from each transaction. They must be able to quickly provide an all-inclusive price an affiliate will pay you for inbound orders. They must represent your company at trade shows.” Shanker admonishes, “You don’t want your affiliate manager to be dancing drunk on the table at a trade show, but they do need to know people in the industry.”
Hiring An Affiliate Manager
You can promote from within or hire from the outside. However, the person must thoroughly understand the business from the services offered, sales processes, the reservations process, and details of your company. Erich Reindl, president of Avanti Transportation in Houston, added, “You must be able to sell your limousine service to another limousine service.” Added Shanker, “Make sure your affiliate manager clearly understands geography.”
[PAGEBREAK]
Contracting Affiliates
One of the reasons negotiating skills are essential is to successfully work out a written contract between two companies to avoid any misunderstandings and to enforce policy compliance between both companies. Affiliates should “apply” to serve as your affiliate and should be vetted instead of just accepted because they want to do work for you.
“They must be trustworthy and loyal to hold your sign,” Shanker said. Once the application process has been completed, a contract can be negotiated to include details such as payment terms, chauffeur attire, how to do meet and greets, and compensation amounts for various jobs and vehicles. Every affiliate should provide appropriate proof of insurance naming your company as additionally insured on their policy. Potential affiliates can be found in the NLA directory, social media groups dedicated to the limousine industry, and your existing global partners.
Being honest with each other was another point stressed. Lisa Ortega, affiliate manager for BostonCoach, joked that she has lost count of how many affiliates had a flat tire on the way to a pickup. “Be honest. If you’re late, you’re late. Don’t tell us you will be there in 10 minutes when you know it’s really going to be 30 minutes.” It is also important that you are truthful about what types of vehicles you are sending. Shanker added, “If an affiliate isn’t willing to give you a chauffeur’s phone number, he probably farmed the ride out to someone else.” All affiliate managers underscored that farming out a farm job is never acceptable.
Building The Network
You’ve heard the saying, “If you build it, they will come.” In this business, you will have to change your reservations intake process to begin asking where your client is traveling. Next, you need to ask if clients need transportation in their destination cities. You have to ask where they are going and ask for the second-leg of the trip if you want to build your network.
To build a solid network of 1,000 affiliates worldwide, Shanker estimated it would take about three years. However, by starting to ask your clients where they are going, you can immediately begin building your network to meet the needs of your client base.
Shanker wrapped up his presentation by reminding the standing room only crowd to always operate under the code of the Golden Rule: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Maintaining An Affiliate File
An affiliate manager should maintain a file for each affiliate that contains the following information:
• An application to serve as an affiliate
• A written contract with a rate addendum
• Emergency contact information
• Hours of office operations
• After-hours contact information
• W9 Tax ID information
• Fleet information
• Auto Liability Accord Certificate
• Worker’s Comp Accord Certificate
• Agreed cancellation policy
• Uniform policy
• Airport meet/greet policy
Cardinal Sins Of Affiliate Work
• Failure to send confirmations (farm-in or farm-out)
• Failure to provide or ask for the chauffeur’s cell phone number
• Farming out an inbound farm order (farm a farm)
• Hand a business card to your affiliate’s client
• Take a local order from your affiliate’s client
• Discuss rates with an affiliate’s passenger
Keywords
affiliate networks business management employee management employee retention hiring How To industry education Jeff Shanker LANJ LCT-NLA Show East New Jersey operators
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