Surge in sales of second hand limos
Used limos are currently doing a roaring trade in the UK
Limo dealers working in the second hand market have reported a surge in sales following the credit crunch.
It is believed the rise in the number of sales of used limos has come as a result of the economic slump. With many limo hire businesses folding due to the recession, there’s been an increase in the number of second hand limos available. As other limo firms struggle to secure finance to invest in new limos, there’s been a surge in demand for used limos as they are a more economically viable option as opposed to buying new.
In the UK a number of limousine hire firms have fallen victim to the credit crunch. Some have been unable to attract new customers during the gloomy economic climate, whilst others have been unable to receive much needed financial support from the banks who are unwilling to lend.
In order to overcome the obstacle of not being able to secure financial backing to invest in a new limousines, many operators have turned to the second hand limo market to bring a new lease of life to their fleet. A number of newer models have been spotted on the market recently. These vehicles can get picked up for half the price of a brand new model, making them a very attractive option.
Sussex based limo distributor, Krystal UK, have been feeling the effect of the boom in business. They recently reported that 7 out of every 10 of their limos sold have been used vehicles.
However some limo bosses argue that investing in second hand limos is a false economy as customers are attracted to a company that has a unique limo which stands out from the crowd. By buying a used limousine, you’re buying something that’s already been seen before.
VIP limo and helicopter trip on offer as part of a Canadian fundraiser
Limo ride and helicopter trip up for grabs in Canadian charity fundraiser
A Canadian charity, United Way of South Niagara, has come up with an incredible prize as part of its latest fundraiser.
The charity is offering a stupendous VIP limo trip along with a helicopter ride over the Niagara Falls as its first prize. This is followed up with a spot of wine tasting, dinner at a luxury restaurant, and an overnight stay at a top hotel and breakfast the next day. Plus the lucky winner will get to bring along 7 friends to enjoy the experience together.
The whole exciting package could be yours for the small price of a $10 ticket. These are on sale now at the local Seaway Mall in Welland.
Winning a prize like this will certainly go a long way to beating those January blues, also all of the money raised will go to a very worthy cause. United Way has been helping improve the lives of those in its community in South Niagara for over 45 years. It hopes that this latest fundraiser has the potential to raise $10,000 for the charity.
All the funds raised will go toward the United Way 2009 campaign which is still on going. The charity also hopes the exclusive prize will get people in the local community talking which will help raise the profile of the cause.
The winning ticket will be drawn at the end of February, with the once-in-a-lifetime limo and helicopter ride taking place at the beginning of March.
Hummer limo destroyed in Massachusetts fire
A hummer limo was been destroyed during a fire in the US
A hummer limo has been completely destroyed during a fire which broke out on Tuesday afternoon this week in Westport, Massachusetts. The garage the hummer limo had been parked inside, was also damaged during the blaze.
The 2006 luxury hummer limousine was consumed by flames when the fire crew arrived at approximately 2:15pm. The garage was also engulfed in smoke. However the fire fighters were quick to act and succeeded in getting the blaze under control within just 30 minutes. They also prevented the fire from spreading to the rest of the building, a two storey house.
One person, as yet unidentified, was taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation. A total of 3 fire engines and one ladder truck were called to tackle the blaze.
The limo is reportedly owned by Salon Salon Limousine Services of Fall River. The hummer was often used for prom night celebrations, weddings, and birthday parties.
Later the Fire Investigation Unit were called to try and determine the cause of the fire. The unit found that the limo had been parked inside the garage when the blaze began, but had been driven out before the fire crew arrived. The case is still being investigated in order to discover how the fire began.
Limo Broker contradicts gloomy industry survey by reporting the most successful year to date
In a recent survey conducted by top industry magazine and website, The Chauffeur.com, the results indicated that a hefty proportion of those involved in the limo hire business had noted a decline in custom during the difficult period of 2009, whereas agent brokers within the industry seemed unaffected by the slump. The survey sought to gain a snapshot of how the luxury transport business was fairing during the economic downturn, and how these businesses feel about the future of the industry.
Limo Broker
Out of all the limo hire operators interviewed by The Chauffeur Magazine as part of the survey, 62% said they had noticed a marked slowdown in their business over the last 12 months. 50% of those who had reported a decrease in business said that they estimated that the number of their bookings had dropped by 25%, but 40% said they’d noted a 50% drop in bookings received through 2009.
However broker agents within the industry tell a very different story, with many reporting a surge in business as more and more people choose to shop around to find cheap deals for limo hire. One of the UK’s leading limo hire brokers, Limo Broker Ltd, seemed to buck the trend in 2009 and reported one of their busiest years ever. This marked contrast in fortunes between the independent limo operators and the brokers, could raise a question mark over the future of the limo hire firms as the broker agents gain more power within the business.
Limo Broker is also displaying encouraging signs for the New Year. The enquiry rate has been extremely high during January and the company have reported an increase in wedding car and wedding limo hire bookings for the coming summer season. Limo Broker’s January sale promotion which saw hire prices heavily reduced has also helped boost bookings.
Other results from The Chauffeur website survey revealed that limo hire operators are looking towards the future with optimism as 46% of those questioned saying that they were planning to invest in a new vehicle for the fleet within the next year.
Limo Broker announce cheap limo hire rates for 2010
Limo Broker introduces ultra low rates on limo hire for the new year
One of the leading limo hire providers in the UK, Limo Broker, have announced all time low prices to kick start 2010. The limo giant have slashed rates across their whole range of vehicles so there’s never been a better time to pick up a bargain limo ride for your special occasion this year.
With a massive selection of chauffeur driven limousines to choose from you’re bound to find something to suit your occasion perfectly. From top of the range Hummer limos with the capacity to carry 18 passengers, to exquisite wedding cars like the open-top Beauford, and exclusive vehicles such as the Ferrari limo, you won’t find a more comprehensive and exciting fleet anywhere else in the country.
As a nationwide operator, Limo Broker can provide you with a limo hire regardless of where you are based in the UK. From London to Edinburgh, Cardiff to Belfast and Swindon to Birmingham, no destination is out of bound when you make a booking with Limo Broker.
These ultra low limo hire rates won’t hang around for long so if you need a wedding car for you big day this summer, or a novelty limo to surprise your best mate on her birthday, or a party bus to celebrate your stag do in style, now is the time to bag a bargain. Call now and receive a rock bottom price for your limo trip courtesy of Limo Broker’s exclusive January sale.
For more details, please visit www.limobroker.co.uk
Canadian limo owners fed up with parking fines launch a petition
Limo owners in Calgary launch petition against stringent parking rules
Limo owners from Calgary in Canada have got so fed up with being issued with parking fines whilst trying to drop off customers in the city, that they are launching a petition in order to get the rules changed.
One of the limo owners, Mengistu Birhanu, has received no less than 5 fines within the past few months as he was dropping off passengers in his limo at their chosen destinations. He is complaining that the stringent parking rules in operation in Calgary are impinging upon his limo hire business.
Parking rules in Calgary state that only taxis can park in taxi stands to drop off fares, but limos are not allowed. To overcome this problem, limo chauffeurs started using loading zones to park in whilst their passengers disembarked, however this is now being blocked as the parking rules state that these zones are not for use by taxis, commercial vehicles or couriers.
The parking authority now has new mobile vans with cameras in operation monitoring parking zones. Limo drivers have reported being photographed by these traffic officers after stopping for just a matter of minutes to allow a passenger to leave their limo.
The limousine drivers are now at a loss over where to park in order to allow their passengers to leave the vehicle safely, and yet for them to be within the parking laws.
Now limo owners have decided enough is enough and have got to together to create a petition to lobby the taxi commission to gain their backing in their battle against the parking authority.
Birmingham limo operator ‘Manns Limos’ named as ‘Best Limo Hire Company in the Midlands’
Manns Limos win Best Limo Hire Company in the Midlands
With 14 years worth of experience, Birmingham based limo Hire Company, Manns Limos is one of the leading suppliers of luxury chauffeur driven car hire in the UK. The company’s prowess in the UK travel industry was recognised at last weekend’s Transport Broker Awards where they were named Best Limo Hire Company in the Midlands.
Manns boasts an extensive fleet of limos and wedding cars suitable for a wide range of occasions. The diversity of their selection of luxury cars is one of their major strengths as they offer a vehicle to suit every taste. From stretch hummer limos to Chrysler Baby Bentleys, Rolls Royce Phantoms to vintage Daimler wedding cars, Bentley Arnages to Mercedes and Lincoln limos, the list goes on and on…
Every vehicle within the fleet is perfectly maintained, however Manns do offer some vehicles which really stand out. The stretch hummer limo has been fully approved with a COIF licence to carry 16 passengers, making it a great choice for a big night out. Onboard you’ll find all the ingredients for a memorable bash including a disco light ceiling, karaoke machine plasma screens and of course, a fully stocked champagne bar.
As well as an impressive fleet of limos, the awards also sought to reward the superb level of customer service offered by Manns. As an approved agent of Limo Broker, Manns undertake hundreds of jobs a year through us and always receive glowing feedback.
For an award-winning limo hire service in the Midlands area, give Manns Limos a call.
Limo thief caught on film
Police footage captures the moment a limousine thief is detained
An audacious limo thief from Eastpointe, Michigan, who was using a stolen limo to provide a limo hire service to paying customers has been taken into custody by police. The moment when the suspect was finally detained was captured on CCTV footage. The suspect was eventually tracked down after an observant resident alerted the real owner of the limo to the vehicle’s whereabouts and he in turn notified the police.
The moment when the thief is finally caught can be seen on police video footage. When the police arrive the suspect and another man, thought to the limo owner, are seen in a scuffle with the suspect eventually breaking free when he slips out of his jacket and shirt and makes a run for it towards a local Macdonald’s restaurant leaving the limo behind with passengers onboard.
One of the police officers who witnessed the incident described the thief as “out of control.” He said the suspect had attempted to get back in the limo at one point which would have been highly dangerous as police feared a high speed car chase could have taken place.
The suspect was finally captured by police with the use of a taser. No court date has been set however the CCTV footage captured is expected to provide vital evidence during court proceedings.
Arizona bar owners introduce complimentary chauffeur driven limos
Arizona bars offer free chauffeur service
US bar and restaurant owners in the state of Arizona have launched a complimentary chauffeur driven limo service as part of a new incentive to get customers back in their establishments. The move has been welcomed by safety groups who praised the responsible action taken by publicans to deter drinkers from getting behind the wheel after one too many.
After stricter laws and tougher penalties for those caught driving over the limit were introduced, bar and restaurant owners noted a distinct drop in the number of customers ordering alcohol. Add the dire economic climate into the mix and the result was many establishments struggling to stay afloat.
Restaurant and bar owners joined forces with a selection of chauffeur hire companies in Arizona with a view to offering customers a safe and hassle free solution for getting home after a night out. Now customers can be taken to their restaurant or pub of choice and chauffeured home in the back of a party bus, Mercedes limo or a Lincoln Town Car.
So far the plan seems to be working. The scheme is encouraging customers back through the restaurant doors and at the same time, helping to crack down on drunk drivers. Both the limo hire companies and the restaurants and bars are benefitting from the programme with increased business. The establishments pay a nominal fee to the chauffeur service for every trip undertaken, a price they are willing to pay as the costs will be recouped from the money the chauffeured customers will undoubtedly spend having a good time.
Bar owner Jesse Latshaw said that the scheme has so far been “incredibly successful” and is helping to get businesses back on their feet.
US limo chauffeur left to clear up after drunken baseball star’s antics
baseball star Sean West in trouble with limo chauffeur
A US limo hire chauffeur from Philadelphia is furious after one of the biggest rising stars of baseball, Marlin’s pitcher Sean West, fled from his luxury limo after one of the many women he was escorting threw up in the back of his stretch. Unfortunately for the baseball player, the limo chauffeur known as Big Penny, is a fearsome man and he’s none too pleased with him.
According to Big Penny the Marlin’s player from Miami sought refuge in the back of his limo after starting a fight at popular Philadelphia nightspot, G Lounge. He managed to run the gauntlet through the group of Philadelphia supporters he’s rubbed up the wrong way and hopped into the back of Big Penny’s waiting limo. Except he didn’t come alone. The baseball star obviously fancies himself as a bit of a ladies man and dragged along not one, not two, but 5 ladies for company.
However it seems his company may have been his downfall as one of the ladies proceeded to vomit all over the back of the expensive limousine. Big Penny stopped the limo to throw the party out after this but smooth talking Sean West managed to persuade the chauffeur against this, assuring him he had “a lot of money” and would compensate him for the mess.
Although once they arrived back at their hotel West did his second disappearing act of the night and went inside the hotel to get some towels and products to help clear up the mess, and never returned.
A word of warning for Sean West, avoid Philadelphia for a while, Big Penny is on the rampage.
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