About LCT Blog

Welcome to LimoCentric, LCT Magazine's blog devoted to "stretching chauffeured transportation." The LCT team appreciates you clicking in, and hopes you'll find some useful and entertaining information. Read more

Contributors

Martin Romjue

Martin Romjue joined LCT Magazine as editor on Jan. 2, 2008. He most recently worked as a business editor for the Los Angeles Newspaper Group, and previously reported at newspapers in Virginia, Florida, and California. Read more

Linda M. Moore

Linda M. Moore, a former publisher of Limousine Digest and director of affiliates of a South Florida chauffeured transportation company, joined LCT Magazine as its East Coast based associate publisher and editor. Read more

Jim Luff

Jim Luff is an operator from Bakersfield, CA who wears a few different hats. Jim began his career in the industry as a private chauffeur in 1990. In 1993 he found a permanent home at The Limousine Scene as the general manager, later becoming a partner. Read more

Happy Fourth Of July No. 234!

THANK YOU, MR. JEFFERSON: If only we could have given you an air-conditioned Caddy stretch back on July 4, 1776. LCT Magazine wishes all of Limoland a happy and free FOURTH OF JULY Independence Day weekend. Remember to thank an AMERICAN military servant, a military veteran, a law enforcement officer, and/or a firefighter who, along with all of their predecessors and war-time allies, have made 234 4th of Julys possible under the banners of human dignity, law and order, and freedom (I'm counting 1776). LimoCentric will fire up again on Monday. -- M.R. 

ABOUT THE PICTURED LIMO

PROGRAMMING NOTE: New Feedback Loop For You

FRIENDLY WARNING: Find out why every single reader comment ever posted on LimoCentric will disappear on Monday, July 6 @ Noon PDT. . .

Read full story

LCT JULY A Sparkler For You

WEB-SPECTACLE PREVIEW: See the latest content from the July 2009 "MAINTENANCE" issue of LCT Magazine. Select stories are now available on our multi-layered WEBsite, INCLUDING our first-ever WEBXclusive feature article.

The magazine won't hit your mailboxes for another, err, two weeks or so, but you can get acquainted with the following content:

  • 10 Things an operator learned from doing his own maintenance
  • What to look for when browsing used and repo limos and fleet vehicles
  • Basics to keeping a bus in top running shape
  • A global operator's advice on navigating the econ-storm
  • LCT Publisher Sara McLean's primer on  low maintenance success

Just click on the website or go straight to features.

Tata Ta-Da

LIMO FOR LAUGHS: What's wrong with this picture? If you think "That's not a limo," then you still understand what the chauffeured transportation industry is really about. The only question: Will the Tata Nano replace the Prissy Toyota Prius as the impostor chauffeured car du jour? Nano, Nano -- NO!

JIM LUFF: Diversify To Survive

GET CREATIVE TO STAY AFLOAT: Livery companies frequently are sideline operations of other businesses or part of a collection of small businesses held by a single owner. So more and more limousine companies are finding creative ways to keep money flowing in while staying true to the core values of being a limousine company. . .

Read full story

LINDA M: Gypsies, Tramps, Thieves & Soccer Moms!?

IN THE SHADOWS: During the past few weeks we have been working on our Big Black Book which is our August issue. I have had the opportunity to discuss with operators what issues are affecting their geographic area. . .

Read full story

Don't Be Green About Going Green

GLOBAL WARMING RATIONALE COLLAPSING? Much of the green energy and green vehicles movement so far has been driven by the hypothesis that the earth is warming at an alarming rate and everyone must radically alter their modern lives, i.e. what you drive, to stave off its worst effects. Now, there is clear proof that scientific data contrary to carbon-generated warming HAS BEEN SUPPRESSED, which of course begs the question, WHY? So, once again, something just isn't right with the global warming motivator. What that means for operators and small businesses nationwide is that the alarmist environmental impetus to "greenify" a business is fading. Green decisions should simply be based on prudent cost/benefit analysis that encompass vehicle efficiencies, energy savings, and the more intangible public relations value. Be careful and skeptical of talk of carboon footprints and credits. Ask lots of questions and do your due diligence. -- Martin Romjue

Mercedes S400 Hybrid

HYBRID LUXURY: Who says hybrid technology must be confined to small cars and that the chauffeured transportation industry must settle for less? Mercedes unveils its hybrid version of the roomy S550 next month. One of the first reviews of the vehicle has just been published.

FlexFuelable Persuasion

FOR YOUR AMUSEMENT: This dreadful "winning video" very likely will not do the trick in persuading more people to recycle and go with E-85. It's all about the message. . .  

No Messages Please — We Only Use Voice Mail!

LINDA MOORE: When did it become the norm not to take messages? I spoke to an operator and promised him to write a story about his company. .

Read full story

Diesel Sedan A Good Start

FUTURE LIVERY VEHICLE? The BMW 730d proves luxury and green can make for a good horse and carriage.

BUT. . . the $200,000 price tag puts it out of reach as a profitable vehicle for most US operators. Which is why I use the qualifier of "future."

The BMW 730d may be available now, but technology needs to continue evolving to make this concept more affordable. Greener, sophisticated luxury vehicles are on the right path but still have a long way to travel to achieve the right economies of scale for operators.

Until then, the more vehicle choices, the better. CLICK HERE for article. CLICK HERE for photo gallery. -- M.R.

What Will Hurt Your Business The Most?

NOT THE RECESSION: The cap and trade scheme being cooked up this week with green zeal would decimate American economic growth. Despite contrary scientific evidence that refutes man-made global warming, the unreliability of global warming data measurements, and lack of cooperation from mega-polluters China, Russia, and India, the cap-n-trade crowd doesn't want facts or freedom to get in the way. -- M.R.  

Swallow Your Pride or Lose

LINDA MOORE: We have not seen an economic environment such as this in our lifetimes. Our business in general is off about 30%, compared to this time last year. It is inevitable that with this kind of loss there will be some fallout for operators who just won’t be able to hang on.

Read full story

WHOA: Only 5,000 Taxi And Limo Operators In U.S.?!

NUMBER OF OPERATORS: Here we go again -- one of this industry's red-flag-in-front-of-bull issues. A research report issued today is way off, both from the estimates of LCT and its leading competitor. . .

Read full story

Reuters: Limo Industry Taking Big Hits

NO REBOUND NEAR: Reuters reports this morning that Dav El Chauffeured Transportation Network's fleet is down 20% in vehicles compared to last year, and BostonCoach has cut its number of employees from 1,200 to 877. The fear factor of using luxury travel appears to be compounding the effects of the recession. STORY HERE.