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Enhancing the Private Ground Transportation Industry Together
Marlton, N.J. (March 22, 2019) — The National Limousine Association (NLA) is proud to announce its new global partnership with Chauffeur Driven (CD)‚ the leading worldwide resource for luxury ground transportation.
Operating as the professional employer organization for the NLA‚ Chauffeur Driven will assist with daily management resources for the non-profit association. In turn‚ CD will provide opportunity for faster growth and development for the NLA by affording the NLA board the necessary resources to create improved systems and experiences the world over.
“The NLA has worked diligently to forge and develop a partnership that would greatly benefit all our beloved staff and members‚” said Gary Buffo‚ President of the NLA. “We are thrilled to partner with a company that shares our values and goals‚ namely to support the NLA’s growth and prosperity. My hat is off to our tremendously dedicated board of directors‚ who led our organization in this auspicious step forward for our specialized industry.”
The synergy between these pillars of the industry will serve to advance the NLA’s expansion‚ resources and membership offerings. Through this partnership‚ the NLA can now infuse operator‚ vendor‚ and supplier buying networks during two annual shows‚ as well as Chauffeur Driven’s Annual Executive Retreat.
“We could not be more excited to join forces with the National Limousine Association‚” states Chris Weiss‚ President & Publisher of Chauffeur Driven. “Between the sharp minds and incredibly valuable resources at the NLA‚ and the talented team we have assembled at CD‚ we are poised to co-brand and elevate the level of both the fall and Vegas Shows. This partnership is beneficial not only to the NLA and Chauffeur Driven‚ but also to the industry at large.”
What’s more‚ NLA and Chauffeur Driven will host a new industry show in Las Vegas‚ taking place at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino February 23-26‚ 2020. The show will provide the ideal environment for industry networking‚ as well as valuable world-class education helpful for both business and personal takeaway. Exclusive events that will take place during the show include the Operator Mentoring Program, Affiliate Central Global Partner Forum‚ and the Owner’s Game.
ABOUT CHAUFFEUR DRIVEN:
Chauffeur Driven (CD) is the luxury ground transportation industry's leading and most-trusted global resource. Chauffeur Driven Magazine is a monthly B2B publication that focuses on all aspects of the luxury chauffeured ground transportation industry internationally. Each issue contains valuable‚ hands-on information for running a more profitable and efficient business – offering proven tips and insights from successful operators across the country and around the world.
For additional information on Chauffeur Driven‚ please visit chauffeurdriven.com.
ABOUT THE NLA:
The National Limousine Association is a non-profit organization responsible for and dedicated to representing the interests of the private driver transportation industry at the global‚ national‚ state‚ and local level. It is the unified voice of this industry – linking transportation industry professionals from owners and operators to suppliers‚ manufacturers‚ regional and state limousine associations. With more than 2‚000 NLA members‚ the Association is committed to exceeding expectations with regards to professionalism‚ transportation efficiency and safe riding.
For additional information on the NLA‚ please visit limo.org.
Media Queries:
EVINS Communications
Matthew Berritt: (212) 377-3577
Matthew.Berritt@Evins.com
David Harrison: (212) 377-3584
David.Harrison@Evins.com
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“These new coaches are built to a customized specification that will support an elite passenger experience that is the hallmark of the Echo/AFC Transportation brand,” said Echo/AFC Transportation CEO John Ferrari.
The seven newly delivered Van Hool CX45 models offer passenger seating for up to 56 guests with a mix of luxury upgrades, including leather-insert seats, contoured and modified contoured parcel racks with integrated 23” monitors, 110V outlets with USB connectors, and woodgrain flooring throughout. Several of the coaches also feature chrome mirrors, side-view cameras, and three models are fully-ADA compliant with Braun wheelchair lifts.
“Our amenities package is a great investment, as our passengers love the way these coaches look and feel and our drivers appreciate how the coaches handle, and the simplicity of the integrated driver’s dash area is a huge plus for our driving staff,” noted Ferrari.
The new coaches also sport a black tone-on-tone graphics package scheme that prominently features a freshly rebranded corporate logo, which unifies the Echo/AFC brands within a simple and modern design.
“John and his team are incredible to work with,” said ABC Companies Senior Account Manager Greg Gates. “Helping to ensure that the fleet is as modern and reliable as possible is integral to supporting their operational goals.”
In other ABC news, Chief Executive Officer Dane Cornell announced that Gregg Goedde has been promoted to senior vice president, ABC financial services. Goedde has more than 25 years in the finance and bus and motorcoach industries, where he has built an impressive track record of combining industry knowledge with financial know-how to build solutions for ABC Companies’ customers.
Goedde joined ABC Companies in 1995, where he started overseeing departments such as warranty, service, and Graphics while working closely with Van Hool and product deliveries. This provided him with excellent product, service, and manufacturer experience that played a vital role for his upcoming financial responsibilities at ABC Companies.
When asked what he enjoys most about his position, Goedde said: “It has been so rewarding and exciting to see companies that came to me as a complete start-up, purchasing their first coach, and now are successful multi-generational organizations.”
He attributes his success to a strong network of financial partners that allow ABC Financial Services to be a true solutions provider, helping operators big and small succeed in their business.
“Gregg has been instrumental in ABC Companies’ growth. His dedication and commitment to ABC along with a passion for helping our customers find solutions is really what our company values are all about,” said President and Chief Commercial Officer Roman Cornell.
Visit abc-companies.com for more information
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“When we introduced Transit five years ago, it immediately became America’s go-to full-size van for fleets, small businesses and large families,” said Mark Buzzell, Ford director, fleet, lease and remarketing operations. “We listened to our commercial and family customers and updated Transit with useful amenities like standard Wi-Fi so kids or crew can stay connected, and helpful driver-assist features like available adaptive cruise control to take the stress out of traffic.”
Upgrades include an available all-wheel-drive system, all-new 2.0-liter EcoBlue bi-turbo I4 diesel, all-new 3.5-liter PFDi V6 gasoline engine with port fuel and direct injection, and new 10-speed automatic transmission, plus new interiors and seating options.
The 2020 Ford Transit offers the most vehicle configurations in its class to help customers specify just the right van for any job. In addition to cargo van, passenger van, chassis cab and cutaway, a new crew van joins the lineup. It can carry five people in two rows of seating with side curtain airbags. Tailored for owners who need to move larger crews plus gear to a job site, the crew van is an enhancement to the 2020 Ford Transit family based on customer feedback.
Because work doesn’t stop when the weather gets bad, Transit offers an intelligent all-wheel-drive system that’s always on to provide enhanced traction on icy, snowy or muddy roads.
“We integrated Transit’s new all-wheel-drive system into the vehicle design early on to ensure it does not raise the load floor or seat height, making this van configuration as easy to enter and exit as the standard rear-wheel-drive model,” said Ray Eyles, Ford Transit chief program engineer. “This is a significant benefit for commercial drivers who are in and out of their vehicles dozens of times a day, as well as for shuttle bus passengers and families.”
In normal mode, this all-wheel-drive system continuously monitors and optimizes torque output with the capability of sending up to 100 percent of available torque to the front wheels to help prevent slipping on loose surfaces. Using the vehicle’s selectable drive modes, the driver can engage mud and ruts or slippery modes at any speed to help increase the all-wheel-drive system’s capability for traveling in challenging conditions. All-wheel drive is available with gasoline powertrains.
With 2020 Transit chassis cab and cutaway models, customers can also carry more, as the maximum GVWR increases from 10,360 pounds to 11,000 pounds.
New and improved powertrains are designed to meet a wide range of customer needs including advances in fuel efficiency. The all-new 3.5-liter PFDi V6 is the new standard gasoline engine. It features port fuel and direct injection for improved efficiency versus the outgoing 3.7-liter engine. An available all-new 2.0-liter EcoBlue bi-turbo I4 diesel engine is more fuel-efficient and offers more power and torque than the outgoing 3.2-liter diesel engine. It is equipped with Auto Start-Stop and is quieter than its predecessor. Customers can also choose the proven 3.5-liter EcoBoost gas engine, which now includes Auto Start-Stop Technology, as well. Both gas engines can be ordered with dual 250-amp alternators to provide a robust power supply for upfit equipment.
All engines are paired with Ford’s proven 10-speed automatic transmission, which offers a wide span of gear ratios, off-the-line performance, and low engine speeds while highway cruising—all designed to contribute to improved fuel efficiency for model year 2020.
New driver-assist features standard on every 2020 Transit cargo van, crew van, passenger van, cutaway and chassis cab include Pre-Collision Assist with automatic emergency braking and Pedestrian Detection, forward collision warning, post-collision braking, Lane-Keeping System, and auto high-beam headlamps.
Transit passenger van XLT is equipped with Ford Co-Pilot360, which includes the features listed above plus Blind Spot Information System with trailer coverage and cross-traffic alert. A new side sensing system joins the existing reverse sensing system as standard on XLT.
Available enhanced active park assist can simplify maneuvering into parallel or reverse perpendicular parking spots. With the touch of a button, it provides prompts to the driver to manage gear selection, accelerator and braking, while Transit automatically steers itself into place. Enhanced active park assist includes park-out assist, which automatically steers the van out of a space while the driver controls the gear shifter, accelerator and brakes, making for less stress.
Other new driver-assist features available include adaptive cruise control, front and rear split-view camera, and adjustable speed limiting device.
Exterior updates for Transit are subtle but functionally driven. A new power sliding door is available for cargo van and passenger van to make getting loaded up as well as exiting the vehicle easier. Premium high-intensity discharge headlamps with signature LED surround are available. Three grilles will adorn different models in van, chassis cab, and cutaway configurations – a three-bar design with black or chrome bars and an open mesh design for maximum cooling. Vans equipped with the powerful 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine get a larger grille for maximum cooling.
Transit has a new interior with a modern dashboard and features designed to improve comfort and practicality, such as durable new fabrics on the seating surfaces, plus myriad cupholders and compartments for storing gear and gadgets. Grab handles are improved, vents are updated to better direct heated and cooled air, and overall ergonomics are enhanced to make using everything a bit easier. Optional swivel front seats are available for the first time in response to recreational vehicle customer requests.
The upgraded 2020 Ford Transit will ship this fall to Ford’s nationwide network of 3,000 dealers, including more than 675 dedicated Commercial Vehicle Center locations.
Visit fleet.ford.com/limo for more information.
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