- Details
- Category: Industry News
Dearborn, Mich. — Ford announced that its best-selling van, the Transit, will feature an available SYNC 3 (the OEM’s communications and entertainment system), rearview camera technology, and new customization options for its 2016 models. Ford has produced more than 100,000 Transit vans and wagons at Kansas City Assembly Plant during the 2015 model year.
“These and other updates make the 2016 Ford Transit the smartest, most flexible van ever offered by Ford,” says Yaro Hetman, Ford brand manager for Transit, Transit Connect, and E-Series. “Transit replaces America’s best-selling van for 35 years, E-Series, first sold in 1961 as Ford Econoline, and we look forward to continuing our leadership in this important segment.”
SYNC 3 features faster performance, more conversational voice recognition, a more innovative smartphone-like touch screen and easier-to-understand graphical interface to help Ford customers connect on the road, according to a press release from Ford.
Dual sliding side cargo doors also will be available for the first time on Ford Transit medium- and high-roof vans—meaning customers can choose from 58 vehicle configurations, up from 47 in the 2015 model year.
“Transit customers appreciate that the vehicle is purpose-built to serve their businesses, and the enhancements we are making for 2016 are driven by customer feedback,” Hetman says. “We are making America’s best-selling commercial van even smarter and more flexible.”
The smaller Transit Connect and Connect Wagon will also receive updates for 2016. The flexible-fuel vehicle system will be standard equipment on 2016 Transit Connect vans with 2.5-liter I-4 engines destined for non-California emissions states. Flex-fuel Transit Connect vans are engineered to run on E85 (85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline), unleaded gasoline or any blend of the two. Ethanol burns cleaner and is more renewable than conventional fuels.
Ford Transit Connect Wagon will include a standard second-row fold-flat bucket seats for the 2016 Titanium model. The bucket seats are available as a no-charge option on the XLT long-wheelbase model, while a six-way power driver’s seat is available in cloth for the first time on XLT. Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) with cross-traffic alert will be an option on 2016 Transit Connect Wagon XLT and Titanium models.
The vehicles will be available through Ford dealers beginning in September 2015.
Visit fleet.ford.com for more information.
[CD0615]
- Details
- Category: Industry News
Commissioner Gregory May of Nassau County Taxi & Limousine Commission and Deputy County Attorney Robert F. Bedford Plainview, N.Y. — More than 45 members and supporters were in attendance when the Long Island Limousine Association (LILA) met May 26 at Bird Bus Sales’ service center. Chauffeur Driven Industry & Brand Ambassador Philip Jagiela, who also serves as LILA’s executive director, was among those who were present for the meeting.
Bird Bus owner Rick Reichenbach and Sales Manager Adam Tortora kicked off the meeting, with Reichenbach giving a presentation about the company’s three-year-old building, the design of which allows for “total vehicle sales and service under one roof to serve customer needs.” A tour of the facility was included in the evening meeting.
Commissioner Gregory May of Nassau County Taxi & Limousine Commission (TLC) spoke of the newly established entity, which was created at the end of 2014 in an effort to crack down on the area’s proliferation of TNCs and is expecting to be fully operational by the end of the summer. May said that the commission wishes to develop a good relationship with the industry while also working with state and local police for assistance—as well as the region’s black-car operators; while Consumer Affairs establishes the regulations, it will be up to the commission to enforce them.
“We desire to work with you as legitimate operators who can assist us with those who skirt the laws,” May said. He added that the commission is looking for an industry representative from within LILA to hold a TLC seat.
In an effort to not only focus on the business aspect of the industry but also address its members’ health, The Mojo Coach Debi Silber brought her nutrition, fitness, diet, and energy expertise to the meeting, explaining how a good exercise routine allows for a good mental routine.
Jagiela capped off the meeting by speaking on behalf of Chauffeur Driven, offering up new details regarding both the upcoming Nashville Executive Retreat and October’s Miami show.
LILA’s next meeting will be July 28, and it also will be hosting a clam bake as well as a fishing trip this summer.
Visit nslali.com for more information.
[CD0615]
- Details
- Category: Industry News
SoCal Penske Cadillac hosted the fifth annual Texas Hold ‘em Poker Tournament and auction at its Torrance, Calif., dealership
Torrance, Calif. — The Greater California Livery Association (GCLA) held its fifth annual Texas Hold ‘em Poker Tournament and auction June 6. Chauffeur Driven Publisher Chris Weiss was among more than 80 operators and friends alike who showed up to support the association with an evening of friendly competition, hot cards, and cool prizes.
The yearly event, which began as a way to raise money for the association and has since become one of its biggest fundraisers, was once again hosted at SoCal Penske Cadillac—making this the third year the dealership has opened its doors to the event.
GCLA President Kevin Illingworth and SoCal Penske President Phil Hartz both welcomed the crowd, and Hartz spoke about the hotly anticipated Cadillac CT6 before Illingworth presented the many donated items that were being auctioned off to raise money for both the association and its lobbying efforts.
L to R: Jeff Brodsly and Katie Martinez of Chosen Payments, Chauffeur Driven Publisher Chris Weiss, Michael Campos of Grech Motors, and Andy Reyes of Dash30 Digital
While roulette, blackjack, and “Spin to Win” prizes were available to those who wanted to try their luck at other games, the poker tables were the places to be, as the tournament winner went home with a 55-inch television, which was donated by Grech Motors. Peter Flores of SoCal Penske won the grand prize, which he donated back to GCLA to further raise funds for the association; Michael Forster of Ascot Limousine ultimately put up the winning funds to go home with the TV.
GCLA’s next event will be its annual Expo and Tradeshow, held at Turnip Rose Promenade & Garden in Costa Mesa September 24.
Visit gcla.org for more information.
[CD0615]