SAYING IT AGAIN: We all know the truth about sleep, but ask most people, and they never get enough. If you have a busy and interesting life, there's always an incentive to stay awake. For chauffeurs and fleet drivers, sleep loss is a more serious matter than for people sitting at desks. Lancer Insurance recently posted a sleep-reminder on its blog that underscores everything our grandmothers told us about healthy sleep tips. And of course the subtext here is: driver fatigue = high insurance risks. -- Martin Romjue, LCT editor
MY READER SURVEY: I'd like to know what you want to read about in future columns.
Read full story
While it’s vital for every business to have a presence on Facebook via a business page Timeline, a new survey reveals that buying ad space on the social media platform may not be necessary.
Read full story
PUMP RELIEF FOR BAD REASONS: Plunging gas prices certainly makes it more profitable to run a fleet-based business, but this article from CBS MarketWatch points to the
bigger price to be paid in this economy.
BAD PUBLICITY: This time of year brings the usual
media spate of stories about prom kids and bridal parties
abandoned by their chauffeurs. It's something the industry needs to be aware of and counteract with PR efforts of its own, given that such stories, taken together, can create general false impressions about the limo industry. Operators advertising their prom/wedding/party transportation can help by emphasizing and promoting their licensed, quality, reliable services. Joining the
National Limousine Association and local associations boosts collective effort in pushing authorities to put illegal operators off the streets. One aggressive approach that would serve the better interests of the limousine industry is to connect "abandoned clients" with "cheapest rates" in a clever form of advertising. That would not only boost the image of quality limousine operators, but help preserve pricing integrity. Cheapest vary rarely equals the best.
-- Martin Romjue, LCT editor
CLIENT SATISFACTION: If a repeat client prefers one chauffeur, do you allow only that chauffeur to drive for your client?
Read full story
JUNE/JULY 2012 PREVIEW: LCT promises to do its best to make this an active summer for content.
Read full story
.jpg)
Autoblog has
posted Spy Shots of the next iteration of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class luxury sedan. The new S-Class features a slightly lowered chassis with side sill extensions, a rear diffuser and a modified front fascia.
The S-Class spotted by Autoblog’s spy photographers was the AMG trim, which will presumably sport a turbocharged 5.5-liter V8 engine.
— Michael Campos, LCT associate editor
DEPENDS WHAT DEFINITION OF LIMO IS: The U.S. government caused some unnecessary outrage last year when it revealed that the number of limousines in the government increased under President Obama. Turns out their definition of a limousine was too broad, counting government shuttles and mini-buses in addition to sedans and stretches used to ferry VIPs and dignitaries. Now, the General Services Administration has redefined a limo as a "vehicle with a lengthened wheelbase, generally driven by a dedicated driver with possible customization, including 'privacy panels' and stretching for capacity and comfort." USA Today OnPolitics article here. Glad the GSA got its terms right and knows the difference between a limo and a shuttle bus. Now if the government could stop calling spending increases "investments" and tax cuts "costs." One minor quibble: Chauffeur should be used instead of "driver." But this at least is progress, and LCT Magazine, part of a private sector non-publicly traded business, is glad to counsel the public sector bureaucrats FOR FREE on anything they need to know about chauffeured transportation, or basic economic principles of free enterprise for that matter. -- Martin Romjue, LCT editor
TURNING 50: Time gone by, but much to be thankful for.
Read full story
The Chrysler 300C diesel luxury sedan goes on sale in the UK on June 14. TheChauffeur.com editor Paul Gibson test drives the large American car and offers insight about its application in the UK chauffeured car industry.
Read full story
According to the host of National Public Radio program Planet Money, the success or failure of the Lincoln automotive brand will determine the fate of the entire U.S. auto industry.
Read full story
SAFETY PRIMER: Leading limousine insurer
Lancer Insurance Company has posted a helpful blog item explaining how operators can prevent the
three most common limousine vehicle accidents. Operators should include this information as part of any training or driving advisory program.
-- Martin Romjue, LCT editor
I just learned a painful lesson about accepting a sizable request for medical transportation from an out-of-state company that promised payment but so far hasn't delivered. Their response to me: LOL!
Read full story
Car and Driver reports that the revamped 2013
BMW 7 Series luxury sedan will be offered in the U.S. with a diesel option next year. It will be powered by a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel inline-six engine. This move makes BMW the third German automaker to plan a diesel flagship sedan in the U.S. The other two are Mercedes-Benz, which offers a six-cylinder
S350 BlueTec luxury sedan, and Audi, which will sell its A8 3.0 TDI sometime in the next year.
— Michael Campos, LCT associate editor
Be careful before plugging into green energy. It could zap your wallet.
Read full story
MARKETING, PRICING & SERVICE TIPS: Operator and LCT advisory board member Bill Atkins of
Red Bank Limo has written and been quoted extensively in LCT about successful business strategies for chauffeured transportation businesses. The 2010 Operator of the Year recently was interviewed by marketing magazine
websearchsocial.com about many of the points he's been advocating. You can get a good summary of Bill's approach to business in the May 18 interview:
The Little Things Make A Big Difference To Your Customers. --
Martin Romjue, LCT editor