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Mercedes-Benz Metris stretch limousine from Springfield Coach
Springfield, Mo.—Veteran builder Springfield Coach Group has introduced a new Mercedes-Benz V-Class stretch limousine into the chauffeured ground transportation market. Built using the popular V-series passenger van, Vice President of Marketing Gary Spaniak 3 says that the new limo was created to fill a need in the space for a vehicle that offers luxury for eight to 12 passengers can be customized, but is also easy to maneuver in tight city streets.
“We really feel that we needed a new kind of limousine for the marketplace,” says Spaniak. “SUVs are expensive and hard to maneuver in the major city areas. With the Sprinter doing so well, we decided to take their Mercedes Metris passenger van do an 80-inch stretch. Operators get the same interior space as popular 120-inch stretch crossover vehicles, but overall it’s 20 inches shorter.”
Springfield’s new limousine is currently offered in three different configurations: a 10-passenger limousine/airport shuttle that offers more luggage room than SUVs; a CEO class, which includes four Premier Products captain’s chairs with leg lifts and heat/massage, four fold-out desks, and two 24-inch monitors; and a party-type limo that seats 12 with no luggage. The V-Class limousine is equipped with a full power-sliding door, with a 40-inch opening, which, Spaniak says, contributes to an improved passenger experience.
Interior of the CEO class V-Class stretch limousine
“The 40-inch door eliminates the need for that fifth door. With the vehicle sitting lower to the ground, it’s great for the elderly, since you can get in and out without crawling on your hands and knees. Also the Metris is wider and has more headroom than most crossover stretches. It’s a real comfort ride—for the same money as a luxury SUV, you give your customers better experience, a better ride, better fuel economy, and give them the elegance that the Mercedes name.
Spaniak says that Springfield worked hand in hand with Mercedes Benz to ensure that all specifications are up to the manufacturer’s high standards. He adds that the V-Class’ seven-speed transmission and rear-wheel drive give the limo better drivability and “peppiness,” even when it’s filled with passengers. He also looks forward to demonstrating the vehicle at the Chauffeur Driven Show in Boston.
“Once operators experience this limo, it’s a no brainer. It’s technically smaller in size than standard crossover limos, but yet bigger on the inside. We want people to understand that doing the same thing over and over is the definition of insanity. With this limousine, we’re trying innovate and create something that gives operators the best bang for their buck.”
Visit limoland.com for more information.
[CD0819] - Updated 09/05/19
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Aventura Director of Sales and Marketing Kristen Goodman
Aventura, Fla.—Aventura Worldwide Transportation Service has hired Kristen Goodman as the Director of Sales and Marketing. In her new role, Goodman will work to procure new business, provide account management to current portfolios, manage social media outlets, and develop marketing and brand strategies.
“Following many years of attempting to bring Kristen on board, we are extremely excited to have her finally join the company. With the addition of my daughter to the Aventura Worldwide Transportation Service team, we exemplify a true family business,” says Founder and Managing Partner Neil Goodman.
Kristen, a graduate of Indiana University, also served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Ethiopia under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief in 2007. Most recently, she worked as a manager for Young Presidents' Organization, Palm Beach Chapter, and has over 15 years of sales experience in various industries.
Visit aventuraride.com for more information.
[CD0819]
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Windy City Limousine & Bus CEO George Jacobs and President Kathy Kahne talk to the recent attendees of their company’s Learn & Share Workshop
Broadview, Ill. — When the Windy City Limousine & Bus team welcomed roughly a dozen industry peers to their office last month, it was the conclusion of an initiative the company introduced at last year’s CD Show.
Windy City has distributed scratch-off tickets in the 2018 show’s swag bags that offered an array of prizes, and some lucky winners were invited to spend two days as honored guests immersed in a hands-on educational Learn & Share Workshop—the focus of which was determined by the attendees themselves, who submitted lists of topics they most wanted to learn about from the Windy City team.
“We left the agenda and list of topics up to the attendees and structured the information to everything they were wanting to hear more about,” says Executive Vice President Tracy Raimer. “Our affiliate, dispatch, sales, chauffeur, and fleet departments all spoke to the group and encouraged interaction.” She adds that George Jacobs and Kathy Kahne shared the Windy City story with everyone, while representatives from Berkshire Coach/Midwest Equipmentand MCI were also on hand to impart advice from their perspectives.
Operators and vendors alike attended the July workshop
With random chance determining the roster of attendees, companies of all sizes and from a variety of markets were welcomed to the Chicago-area company—and left with a workshop’s worth of brand-new ideas to bring back home.
“I want to sincerely thank you for having us,” Kenway Hua of Soteria Transportation Group (which includes A Ambassador Limousine & Transportation, CityCar Services Worldwide, and Avanti Global Chauffeured Services) wrote to Raimer almost immediately after the event. “It means so much to me and to our team, who we have shared some of our experiences with since we have been back. Again, cannot thank you enough!”
The two-day workshop included many opportunities to peek behind the curtains to see how Windy City works
“I want to thank you for hosting us at Windy City,” adds Raj Dhillon of City Trans. “I cannot explain in words my gratitude for all of you guys. You have amazing team working with you. Everyone made us feel very welcomed and no doubt I learned a lot from all of your team. It was refreshing to see how your organization want to help other companies in the industry.”
Raimer also credits the teamwork between operators and vendors for adding something extra to the experience, both through suppliers’ own educational sessions and a vendor-sponsored dinner.
“We were fortunate to have the MCI team and Midwest Equipment team spend time educating operators on the importance of weighing the pros and cons when deciding to get into larger equipment,” she says.
Education was a significant component, as attendees got to choose what topics were covered
And she admits to benefiting from the experience, too.
“For all the years that I have known George, he has always said and lives by, ‘For every operator who improves their business and becomes successful, our entire industry benefits.’ The Windy City Learn & Share Workshop was exactly that,” she says. “We learned so much from the operators who joined us. And anything that they could learn and pick up from us while they spent time with so many of our managers is just an improvement and benefit to our entire industry. George and Kathy truly welcomed all of these operators with open arms and encouraged them to acquire as many takeaways as they could.”
Visit windycitylimos.com for more information.
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