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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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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]
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- Category: Industry News
Weighing the idea of adding an alternative fuel or electric vehicle (EV) to your fleet, soon or in the future? There’s a lot to consider before you do, but if costs are among your impediments, incentives may sweeten the pot a bit.
Congress and the Biden administration are making it easier—or at least cheaper—to add EVs to your lineup starting in 2023 thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act passed earlier this year. The (updated) Commercial Electric Vehicle and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Tax Credit offers incentives up to $40,000 per vehicle for businesses that add these clean cars to their operation after January 1, 2023. And unlike the incentive for personal-use vehicles (Clean Vehicle Tax Credit), this credit has fewer restrictions and more generous allowances.
How it works (via the US Department of Energy): Vehicles with a GVWR below 14,000 lbs. must have a battery capacity of at least seven kilowatt-hours (kWh) and vehicles with a GVWR above 14,000 lbs. must have a battery capacity of at least 15 kWh. The tax credit amount is equal to the lesser of the following amounts:
- 15 percent of the vehicle purchase price for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles/30 percent of the vehicle purchase price for EVs and FCEVs, OR
- The incremental cost of the vehicle compared to an equivalent internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle
Additional information:
- Max caps are $7,500 for vehicles with a GVWR below 14,000 lbs. and $40,000 for those exceeding 14,000 lbs.
- Vehicle must be used in the US
- Cannot be combined with the Clean Vehicle Tax Credit (which is specially for personal use)
- Credit is set to expire at the end of 2032
Note that many cities and states may also have their own programs, so talk with your accountant or click here to search for additional incentives (federal, state, and local) that may apply to your business—which may even help defray the costs of installing the charging infrastructure in your company’s garage. As always, the devil is in the details, so be sure that you are consulting with a tax professional for maximum benefit.
You can read more about financing your first EV in the December 2022 issue of Chauffeur Driven.
[12.13.22]