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Ride and Drive 2018 attendees receive tour of Volvo Powertrain Manufacturing Facility in Hagerstown, Md.
Sainte-Claire, QC — Prevost took pleasure in hosting its signature Ride and Drive 2018 event in late April in Hagerstown, Md. Close to 50 operators from 30 coach companies throughout the U.S. and Canada attended.
The Ride and Drive brings invited Prevost and Volvo 9700 operators and prospective owners together with Prevost sales and service representatives, executive staff members, and suppliers for three days of company updates, new product demonstrations, maintenance and service updates, and to share in a bit of industry fellowship.
“Ride and Drive 2018 presented unique opportunities for our customers to become better acquainted with the Prevost company,” says Prevost Vice President and General Manager Francois Tremblay. “Not only do they get to experience our coaches and innovative features first hand, they gain a sense of the Prevost culture and our core values.”
The packed agenda showcased new components and systems available on Prevost and Volvo 9700 coaches and gave operators the opportunity to participate in Prevost AWARE and Electronic Stability Program (ESP) demonstrations.
“So often in this industry, we introduce features, but showcase them only at the major trade shows and conferences, with no opportunity for customers to actually experience a new component or system,” says Keith Hayward, director, Prevost New Coach Sales, Western Region. “I am grateful our Ride and Drive event gives coach operators first-hand experience with our safety features, which they would not likely fully understand from normal highway driving.”
This year the group toured the Volvo engine facility in the morning then tested Prevost coaches on the tarmac and met with Prevost vendors at Hagerstown Regional Airport in the afternoon.
Prevost coaches on the tarmac at Hagerstown Regional Airport
The keynote activity was a specially-arranged tour of the expansive 1.5 million-square-foot Volvo Powertrain Manufacturing Facility in Hagerstown where the D13 engines and Volvo I-Shift automated transmissions that drive Prevost H3-45, X3-45, and Volvo 9700 coaches are built.
"This tour provides an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look at all that goes into the Volvo D13 engine, which has been the very heart of Prevost and Volvo coaches since 2007,” says Tremblay. "We believe it is important they see inside our state-of-the-art robotic manufacturing process to better understand the precision and high-quality workmanship craftsmanship behind the engine that runs their coaches.”
During stops along the assembly line and in engineering, research, and testing laboratories, Volvo technicians and team leaders explained the processes, innovations, and product evolution that ultimately translate into safer, cleaner, smoother running, longer lasting, more efficient diesel engines for Prevost and Volvo coaches.
“I'm a mechanic at heart, so I could do the very top-notch tour through the Volvo Engine Plant every day,” says Tim McCullagh, director of operations, Kincaid Coach, Kansas City, Kan. “Everyone knew their jobs and were extremely informative, and certainly comfortable talking about the assembly processes. Also, interacting with peers during the Ride and Drive was a pleasure— picking up on what other operators look for in their coaches. We're all basically on the same page, but some people have a little a different take, which makes it interesting.”
Assembled and mingling on the tarmac of the Hagerstown Regional Airport, guests had ample opportunity to safely test the Prevost AWARE system (by Bendix), as well as enjoy a closer look at several new products and innovations now available on Prevost and Volvo 9700 coaches.
“This was my first Ride and Drive, which I found to be very well organized and extremely informative,” says Dan Newby, president, Crossroad Tours, Olathe, Ks. “As we are a longtime Prevost customer, I especially appreciated this opportunity to meet with Prevost employees at every level in the company as well as to meet up with old friends and connect with the new people coming up.”
“Our hope is that these company presentations and interactions strengthen our relationships with current and perhaps future Prevost operators,” says Glen Gendron, director, Prevost New Coach Sales, Eastern Region. “Our Ride and Drive event further demonstrates how Prevost operates as a company and how we like to connect with our customers.”
Visit prevostcar.com for more information.
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Darren Vance, ZBest Vice President and General Manager of the Washington D.C. region
Washington, D.C. — ZBest Worldwide Chauffeured Transportation is celebrating the successful first year of its regional operation at National Harbor, Md. This office has delivered high quality, safe, and reliable ground transportation management for numerous corporate and leisure clients in the D.C.-metro area, with a specialty in events, meetings, shuttles, and executive services. The growth of this regional office has also allowed ZBest to add several positions to the organization, with more openings currently available for customer service, dispatch and chauffeur positions.
“We have been truly fortunate to serve and develop relationships with individuals and companies in the D.C. region, who have come to rely on our transportation management solutions and trusted partnerships. ZBest at National Harbor has grown tremendously since opening our doors just over a year ago,” said Darren Vance, ZBest Vice President and General Manager of the Washington D.C. region. “We look forward to many more successful years ahead, as we continue to provide our clients the highest levels of personal service, dependability, truly useful technology, and attention to detail.”
Headquartered in Baltimore, Md., ZBest established the operation at National Harbor particularly to manage trips in the Washington D.C. area quickly and efficiently, with less travel time from Baltimore. The ZBest National Harbor operation offers the same quality vehicles, experienced dispatch staff, expertly trained chauffeurs, and streamlined communications as the company’s Baltimore base. In addition to its Baltimore and National Harbor locations, ZBest provides service in over 500 cities across the globe through its proven affiliate network.
Visit ZBestWorldwide.com for more information.
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KLS Limousine Founder Alex Darbahani Los Angeles — Headlining superstars Beyoncé and Eminem may have dominated the entertainment headlines in the wake of the 2018 Coachella Music Festival, but according to Alex Darbahani, the founder of California- and New York-based KLS Limousine Service, the two weekends were the site of a job well done.
"We had a really terrific two weekends serving clients from a number of outstanding production companies, PR firms, and music business players during the event,” says Darbahani.
The operator also added that KLS is thriving largely because of what he describes as out-of-the-box marketing approach. "We're working hard to get the word out that we not only provide the finest vehicles and the most luxurious and reliable service possible, but that we're also an outstanding value. Our customers are often very surprised, because they assume we'll be more expensive in comparison to what's out there. In reality, we're often a little less expensive than they expect. Event planners and everyone else who organizes events just about always have budgets they need to stick to, and it's fun to see how surprised they are when the see how our prices compare."
In addition to offering lower up-front fees, Darbahani says that he looks for other ways we help our clients stay within their budgets. “People who've never been to Coachella might be surprised to hear this, but we had a number of families with young children during the two weekends. We don't charge extra for car seats, and for some of our clients that can really add up."
Darbahani adds that KLS remains committed to providing quality service by using high-end vehicles that are well-maintained. Also he is proud to offer professional service when it comes to his staff. “Our personnel are not just drivers, they are trained and experienced chauffeurs. That means that they are not only automotive experts, they are able to provide concierge services to our clients, adding to the fun along the way. That can be especially important at events like the music festival, when we're often driving over 130 miles from L.A. The longer the trip, the more you a pro at the wheel."
Visit klsla.com for more information.
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