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Grace President & CEO Mike Campbell (left) and New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu
Manchester, N.H. — When you have exacting standards like Grace Limousine, it can be hard to find top-notch chauffeurs who are up to the task. So when Grace President & CEO Mike Campbell learned that New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu had long been interested chauffeuring, he jumped at the chance to hire him . . . for the day, at least!
Governor Sununu started his single day behind the wheel was a fun way to introduce him to the luxury ground transportation industry. He began his day undergoing driver training with Grace’s Chauffeur Manager Jen Goulet. Fortunately, he was quick learner, as he then drove Campbell and Elliot Health System President & CEO Doug Dean Café in Grace’s iconic Tesla sedan to a business meeting at the Purple Finch.
Governor Chris Sununu chauffeurs Grace Limousine’s Mike Campbell
“In today’s employment economy, finding qualified, professional chauffeurs is one of our greatest challenges as a business,” Campbell says. “Imagine my delight when Governor Sununu arrived on-site for his training! In all seriousness, our time with Governor Sununu as our celebrity driver-for-a-day was the experience of a lifetime! I thoroughly enjoyed our time together, in which we shared a stimulating conversation not just about our industry, but also about the state and the country at large. I’d also like to extend a special thank you to Doug Dean, CEO of Elliot Health System, for being a very brave passenger as the Governor completed his first run.”
Campbell and Grace were honored to have Governor Sununu’s on staff.
Visit gracelimo.com for more information.
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MCI all-electric J400e coach prototype
Des Plaines, Ill. — Motor Coach Industries (MCI), the US subsidiary of New Flyer Industries, announced that its all-electric J4500e prototype—a battery-electric version of J4500 coach—successfully completed its phase one testing. MCI said that the coach ran flawlessly at both low and high speeds up to a sustained 70 mph (113 km/h) on the highway. The all-electric J4500e coach is on schedule for January 2020 production and orders are being taken now.
The electric architecture incorporated in the MCI J4500e features a high-torque 2130 lb-ft (2888 N·m) Siemens electric drive system and a 450 kWh Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) Li-ion battery pack with high power plug-in battery charging to 100% in less than three hours. MCI will also apply the battery-electric platform to the D45 CRT LE Commuter Coach followed by the electric 35-foot MCI J giving operators the most comprehensive choices in purpose-built, all-electric coaches.
“We’re enormously pleased by these early test results—our all-electric J4500e delivered smooth power across varied roadways and impressive results in acceleration, handling and ride quality,” said JP Pelletier, Vice President of MCI Engineering. “MCI has covered electric territory before with hybrid diesel-electric coaches built in early 2000s that are still in service, but with the all-electric platform, we’re benefitting from New Flyer’s long time, battery-electric low-floor transit expertise.”
MCI President Ian Smart said that customers will have a range of charging options: standard depot charging, on-route systems or a multi-charge design.
MCI will now move its all-electric J4500 test to Northern California, where public and private operators are eyeing all-electric expansion for their key customers. Major Silicon Valley technology employers are expanding their own private coach shuttle systems attractive to millennial workforces. Success in this market requires a deep understanding of how employer operators will be using these coaches.
Visit mcicoach.com for more information.
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Georgetown, Ky. — In anticipation for the Kentucky Derby, Toyota unveiled the newest addition to a strong stable of vehicles at its plant in the Bluegrass State: the all-new 2019 Avalon.
Built on its Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) manufacturing platform, this fifth generation of the Avalon has proven to be the “future of Toyota manufacturing,” said Susan Elkington, president of the Kentucky plant.
“TNGA allows us to be more flexible and creative on the production line – transforming the way Toyota builds cars," she added. Our recent $1.33-billion investment in this plant allowed us to be the first Toyota facility in North America to build on this platform—initially with the 2018 Camry and now with our flagship sedan, the stunning, new Avalon.”
An example of TNGA is as simple as the welding process and the “increased rigidity” it brings. The result: a quieter ride in the cabin. “It’s the difference between a coat that is buttoned and one that has a zipper,” Elkington said. “It is just that much tighter, more snug overall.”
Avalon represents Toyota’s commitment to American manufacturing: the flagship nameplate is designed and engineered in the U.S. and exclusively produced in Georgetown, Ky., by more than 8,000 team members. In fact, the Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky (TMMK) plant is the largest production facility for Toyota worldwide.
“It’s a badge of honor, working on this vehicle,” said Karen Cooper, TMMK quality engineering manager and the plant’s overall quality project lead for the new Avalon. “It’s a three-year process – our role was taking the design and ensuring it is manufacturable. We bridge between what the customer wants and how to produce that on the plant floor. The attention to detail, including the premium fit and finish of the new Avalon will make the customer proud to drive it.”
The new Avalon includes a few firsts for Toyota:
- Available Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS), which enhances controllability and sharp handling;
- Standard Apple CarPlay and Available Dynamic Auxiliary Turn Signals;
- Available Engine Sound Enhancement (that’s right, you can literally press a button that gives you the sounds of a sports car);
- Two new TNGA powertrains include a punchy 3.5-liter V6 (which allows for more power and less fuel consumption) and a 2.5-liter four-cylinder Toyota Hybrid System (the only full hybrid in the premium mid-size sedan segment).
Also, standard passive and active safety benefits through Toyota Safety Sense move the automaker one step closer to Toyota Motor Corp.’s goal of zero casualties from traffic accidents. “Throughout development, we focused on the new Avalon being authentic and exhilarating,” said Randy Stephens, chief engineer. “One of the key components in getting there was the new platform and suspension. These underpinnings allow us to provide an unequaled foundation for the marriage between luxury and sportiness in the premium mid-size sedan segment.”
With four available grades, the new Avalon will accommodate a wide array of customers/drivers: the two dedicated Sport Plus models, XSE and Touring, plus the more luxurious XLE and Limited. Hybrid grades include XLE, Limited and XSE.
Elkington said a huge benefit is the diversity in the various models: “My favorite is the touring grade because it has some great driving modes. You can be in normal mode and have a smooth ride – go over a bump or pothole and barely feel it. Then you can switch to the sports mode for the driving experience. On a winding road, you feel each curve and you have the enhanced sound of the engine -- so you feel like you are driving a sports car.”
Toyota has set an MSRP of $35,500 for the XLE sedan.
Visit toyota.com/avalon for more information.
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