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- Category: Industry News
The QSi Awards
The year-end results are in! Professional Driver, a magazine based in the UK covering the chauffeured and private driver industry, announced the winners of its recent QSi Awards. The awards honor those companies and industry professionals who embody quality, service, and innovation (QSi). Finalists were announced in early November, and the winners were celebrated during a stately and elegant gala at the Celtic Manor Resort in South Wales on November 29.
Vehicle judges took their roles seriously
In all, winners were announced in 10 categories, ranging from Professional Driver of the Year to Environment to Chauffeur Company of the Year. Some highlights:
Chauffeur Company of the Year (1-10 vehicles):
Gold: Parkers Executive (Newcastle-upon-Tyne)
Silver: Aura Journeys (Newark)
Bronze (tie): Luxstar (Newport) and MET Chauffeur Services (Erskine)
More than 50 vehicles were on display for judging
Chauffeur Company of the Year (11+ vehicles):
Gold: Chabé (London)
Silver: Blacklane (Berlin)
Bronze (tie): Belgraves of London (Sutton) and iChauffeur (London)
Environment:
Gold: Addison Lee (London)
Silver: Your Local Car (Camberley)
Bronze: Parkers Executive (Newcastle-upon-Tyne)
New Start Operator:
Gold: L&L Travel (Newton-le-Willows)
Silver: StarPrime Chauffeurs (Bristol)
Bronze: NI Chauffeurs (Belfast)
It was a packed house for the QSi Awards
The full list of winners is available here. The Awards will mark their 10th anniversary in 2023.
Additionally, the magazine announced its picks for top vehicles for the industry. The magazine holds annual “judging days” at Epsom Racecourse, where it invites industry professionals to kick the tires and get an up-close and personal look at dozens of vehicles in exchange for their feedback. Among the best are:
Car of the Year: Genesis G80 Electrified
Luxury SUV: BMW iX
Executive Car: Genesis G80 Electrified
Chauffeur Car: Mercedes-Benz S580eL (plug-in hybrid)
The rest of the winners can be found here as well as in the latest issue of the magazine.
Visit prodrivermags.com for more information.
[12.19.22]
Photos courtesy of Professional Driver.
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- Category: Industry News
Motor Coach Industries (MCI) announced that Thomas Vik has joined MCI as private market regional vice president for new and pre-owned coach sales in the Midwest region. Reporting directly to Vice President of Private Sector Sales Tom Wagner, Vik is based in Hudson, Wisc., and will be responsible for MCI coach sales in the Midwest region, including Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia.
MCI Midwest Regional VP Thomas Vik
Vik brings more than 25 years of experience in new business development, sales strategies, customer relationships, key market expansion, channel partner development, and client needs assessment in the motor coach industry.
Prior to joining MCI, Thomas occupied regional sales manager positions at Daimler Coaches North America and Prevost Car (US), Inc./Volvo Group North America, where Vik established trusted operator relationships in the Midwest.
“Thomas brings a wealth of sales experience to MCI, and we are excited to welcome him to our team. Thomas' proven accomplishments in the transportation industry demonstrate his strong commitment to establishing long-lasting and productive relationships with customers,” said Wagner. “Thomas is an accomplished leader whose extensive skillset and talents will help MCI deliver the attention and service our new and pre-owned customers have come to expect as we continue to provide reliability-driven vehicles and market-leading support to serve our customers.”
From 2013-2020, Vik served on the Board of Directors of the Midwest Bus and Motorcoach Association, and, in 2016, he served as an Advisory Board Member of the Minnesota Charter Bus Operator's Association.
Visit mcicoach.com for more information.
[12.19.22]
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- Category: Industry News
L to R: Jay Erlich of Europe Limousine Service, CD President Chris Weiss, Douglas Schwartz of Executive Limousine, and LANJ President Jason Sharenow of Broadway Elite Worldwide
L to R: Mike Marroccoli of EPIC Insurance, LANJ Executive Director Patricia Nelson, and CD Editor Rob Smentek
The Limousine Association of New Jersey (LANJ) welcomed members and guests from across the tri-state area for their annual holiday dinner on Tuesday, December 13, at Fernandes Steakhouse in Newark, N.J. On hand for a the all-you-can eat rodizio-style meal were more than 80 attendees, including CD President Chris Weiss and Editor Rob Smentek.
Following a networking-heavy cocktail hour sponsored by Complete Fleet Livery Sales, LANJ President Jason Sharenow of Broadway Elite Worldwide welcomed the members to the evening event.
Barry Trabb (left) and Dino Olivares of Complete Fleet Livery Sales
L to R: Suman Anwar and Lucky Takhar of ANB Limousine Service with David Seelinger of EmpireCLS
“LANJ is back on track,” pledged Sharenow, stating that the association will host regular events and meetings in 2023.
Next, Sharenow thanked LANJ Board Members, particularly the membership committee for their hard work. He also thanked affiliate and vendor members, who he said are “integral to the success of the association.”
More than 80 attendees were present at the LANJ holiday dinner
Sharenow then thanked Barry Trabb of Complete Fleet for sponsoring the cocktail hour, affirming that the dealer is “fully committed to the success of the industry.” New, returning, and perspective members were then acknowledged, as was the association’s lobbyist who is deeply involved in fighting the congestion pricing debacle in New York City.
Finally, Sharenow concluded his time at the mic by expressing his appreciation for the efforts of LANJ Executive Director Patricia Nelson.
Visit lanj.org for more information.
[12.19.22]