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Coffee With ILLBA Brews Insurance Discussions
Insurance was on the menu at the fourth Coffee With ILLBA event hosted by the Illinois Limousine and Bus Association (ILLBA). The association welcomed guest speakers Michael McDaniels of Shriver Insurance and Brian Ludlow of Alternative Claims Management (ACM) to discuss ways that operators can save (or find) money by shopping and researching their coverage options.
Michael McDaniels of Shriver Insurance
McDaniels was frank that insurance is a top expense for ground transportation operators, but pointed out that it’s also an area where you can save money. The broker advised that owners start shopping for rates between 90-100 days before your expiration date. For smaller companies, McDaniels said that well-trained chauffeurs between the age of 35 and 60 are the key to get the best rates. With so many companies with cars sitting in lots, there was concerns expressed by operators about rate increases for 2021. McDaniels advised the industry to budget for a 10-15 percent increase, but companies are still exploring COVID programs for reduced rates on vehicles not in use.
Brian Ludlow of Alternative Claims Management
Next, Ludlow provided an overview of how ACM can get operators loss-of-use and loss-of-revenue money from not-at-fault accidents, even ones in the past. According to Ludlow, past insurance claims are found money. His said company will work with operators to investigate past incidents, notably review their documentation, to see if they can recover any money due for loss of income. What’s more, ACM receives no money upfront, and only gets paid if your claim is paid out.
The meeting concluded with a City of Chicago update from ILLBA Executive Director Paula DeBiasi of Chicago Coachworks, and an overview of the CD/NLA Virtual from CD Editor Rob Smentek and ILLBA President Tracy Raimer of Windy City Limousine & Bus (who serves as co-chair for the CD/NLA Education Committee). Members were also advised that ILLBA is also holding board elections on November 18.
Visit illinoislimousineassociation.com for more information.
WFLA Anticipating the Big Game
On October 22, the West Florida Limousine Association (WFLA) held a short Zoom conference for the members to discuss the current state of the industry in their region. With operators still suffering due to Tampa tourism and corporate travel still down, the online meeting gave operators the opportunity to vent frustrations, share best practices, and just catch up as friends and colleagues.
Tom Halsnik of Walsh Chauffeured Transportation
However, there was some positive news to be had. WFLA Secretary Tom Halsnik of Walsh Chauffeured Transportation and Board Member David DiDomenico have been in direct contact with NFL transportation, the local Super Bowl host committee, and airport officials regarding the planning, preparation, and mechanics of the Super Bowl LV to be held at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium on February 7, 2021. While much of the logistics are, of course, up in the air due to the pandemic, the big game will be held in some capacity, and transportation is a necessity.
“A lot of will hinge on the state of pandemic at the time of the game—from eventual attendance, events, and handling of the whole week,” says Halsnik. “Organizers have indicated more solid plans will be forthcoming about mid-December. We have tentatively scheduled a meeting with a rep from those agencies who will speak to us. It's a huge help to our local economy that has been denied NHL playoff games, World Series games, and various other events. We are very excited about the opportunity!”
Visit facebook.com/WestFloridaLimousineAssociation for more information.
WLA Facing Rising COVID Numbers
The increasing number of COVID cases in the Midwest was a major topic of discussion on the November 10 Wisconsin Limousine Association (WLA) conference call. Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers recently signed a stay-at-home advisory action, which warns Wisconsinites to stay home and urges precautions to stay safe if they have to leave their homes.
WLA President Larry Epstein of Gallant Knight Limousine said that he and other area operators are managing day by day as they deal with the work turndown. Retail work continues to be the saving grace, although operators continue to deal with last-minute cancelations.
The association is also monitoring rising fuel costs in the region. Although prices are currently creeping up, there is concern that the winter months will bring a sharper increase.
WLA is holding their next call on December 9.
Visit wisconsinlimo.org for more information.
[11.17.20]
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Jeff Rose, president and CEO of Attitude NEW YORK Chauffeured Transportation, is pleased to announce that longtime industry professional—and trade show staple—Rick Eichner has joined the team as operations and business development manager.
The Attitude NEW YORK crew (L to R): Rupert Jeremy, Rick Eichner, and Jeff Rose
“Rick’s industry experience and wide-ranging skill set make him an exceptional candidate,” says Rose. “For the past 25 years he was the fleet sales manager at City Limousine Sales—a division of City Cadillac-Buick-GMC—serving the limousine, livery, and funeral markets. We recruited Rick to join our organization based on his work while he was a primary vendor. With his sales and marketing experience, we feel very lucky that he agreed to join us. He will be a tremendous complement and working partner to Chief of Staff Rupert Jeremy, a 17-year veteran at the company.”
Prior to joining City, Eichner was the owner of a boutique limousine service.
“With so many businesses contracting during the pandemic—especially in this industry—it’s pretty exciting being with a chauffeured transportation company that’s in an expansion mode and growing its core business,” says Eichner.
“We envision significant growth opportunities as the ground transportation business emerges from the pandemic. Now more than ever, travelers want to book with a company they can trust. We also see the opportunity to establish a super-premium national network, something our client base has been clamoring for. Now we have the ideal candidate to get that up and running as we explore new revenue streams in the post-COVID market. Not only does Rick bring some welcomed back-up on oversight and management, he also adds an entirely new dimension to our marketing efforts,” says Rose.
Established in 1986, Attitude NEW YORK has been the go-to service for New York’s most demanding passengers. Among the company’s clients are C-Suite executives and high-net-worth families, according to Rose. Attitude NEW YORK is also a top choice in the entertainment industry, especially New York’s Broadway theatre talent and producers, nationally broadcast television shows, and production companies. Rose, who founded the company, is committed to promoting the industry as a frequent speaker at industry events and serving as president of the Limousine Association of New York.
Eichner may be reached at rick@attitudenewyork.com.
[11.16.20]
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Ford, the world’s cargo van leader, introduced its 2022 E-Transit van during a world reveal on November 12. With a usable battery capacity of 67 kilowatt-hours, E-Transit will deliver an estimated range of 126 miles in the low-roof cargo van variant and has a starting MSRP under $45,000 for U.S. fleet customers with an 8-year/100,000-mile electric vehicle component warranty.
E-Transit is all electric
Ford says that the E-Transit is the first all-electric cargo van from a full-line automaker in North America and offers a choice of eight configurations including three roof heights and three lengths, plus chassis cab and cutaway models. It’s powered by an electric motor targeting 266 horsepower/198 kilowatts of power and 317 lb.-ft. of torque, and is scheduled to arrive in late 2021. It will assemble the vehicle for North American customers at Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo, Missouri.
Like its gas-powered cousin, E-Transit was designed with delivery and service workers in mind. E-Transit offers the same interior cargo dimensions and standard mounting points for continued integration with hundreds of upfitters and vehicle modifiers worldwide who provide compatible racks, bins, and accessories on the gas-powered Transit.
Ford engineers redesigned E-Transit’s rear-wheel drive and rear suspension to optimize cargo space, creating a heavy-duty semi-trailing arm suspension system enabling better steering precision and more confident handling, plus better traction both in laden and unladen conditions.
All-New Ford E-Transit
“[The 126-mile range] makes E-Transit ideal for commercial customers who know their drive routes and often work in urban environments,” said Ted Cannis, Ford North America general manager of commercial business. “Affordability is key, and our customers buy only what they need to get the job done. E-Transit provides ample range at a price that makes the transition to electric easy. And Ford is just getting started.”
Cities around the world—from London to Los Angeles—are pledging to create emissions-free zones to improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gas levels and improve noise pollution. California has also mandated that all new cars and passenger trucks sold in the state be zero emission vehicles by 2035. The release of the E-Transit is part of Ford’s pledge to achieve carbon neutrality globally by 2050.
“Ford is North America and Europe’s commercial truck and van leader, so the transition of fleet vehicles to zero emissions, especially for the fast-growing last-mile delivery segment, is critical to achieve our carbon neutrality goal by 2050,” said Ford President and CEO Jim Farley. “Ford is ready to lead the charge, starting with the all-electric Transit and all-electric F-150 on the way. This is good for the planet and a huge advantage for customers to help lower their operating costs and provide connected fleet management technologies that will help their businesses.”
The best-selling cargo van will be availalbe in late 2021
E-Transit features both AC and DC fast charging, coming standard with a Ford Mobile Charger that can plug into a normal 120-volt outlet for slow and steady charging or into a 240-volt outlet for faster charging. Those seeking the fastest home charging solution can purchase the Ford Connected Charge Station, which can fully charge E-Transit in eight hours. It also comes with access to North America’s largest public charging network—providing drivers with seamless public payment capability and providing fleet managers with central account and billing management.
E-Transit also features additional standard Ford Co-Pilot360 technologies designed to help fleet customers reduce driver-based insurance claims, including Lane-Keeping System and PreCollision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking. Available features include Blind Spot Information System with Blind Spot Assist, a 360-degree camera and Reverse BrakeAssist.
According to Ford, scheduled maintenance costs for the all-electric Transit are estimated to be 40 percent less than the average scheduled maintenance costs for a gas-powered 2020 Transit over eight years/100,000 miles. And with lower maintenance requirements and the opportunity to avoid fill-ups, companies can improve customer uptime and productivity.
Ford has an expansive network of 1,800-plus global commercial vehicle dealers, including 645 commercial vehicle centers across the U.S.—about 90 percent of which are electric vehicle-certified—for sales and service.
E-Transit is part of a Ford investment in electrification of more than $11.5 billion through 2022. The all-new, all-electric Mustang Mach-E begins arriving later this year, while the all-electric F150 starts hitting dealers in mid-2022. In North America, Ford is the first full-line automaker to announce plans to produce both an all-electric full-size pickup truck and a full-size van for customers, including fleet owners.
Ford will also debut its full lineup of Lincoln and Ford products specifically for the livery industry on December 1 at 2:00 PM ET. Register for the 30-minute presentation here.
[11.14.20]