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Chauffeur News

New Chauffeur programme offered by Volvo

Car manufacturer, Volvo, have just unveiled the details of their brand new chauffeur programme which they hope will enable them to further enhance their share of the chauffeur market.

The most appealing aspect to the newly introduced Chauffeur Package from Volvo is the 3 year 120,000 miles extended warranty, exclusively offered to chauffeur and professional private hire customers. The generous mileage allowance takes into account the many miles chauffeurs need to cover as part of their job.

In addition to the extended warranty, Volvo are also offering free metallic paint on every chauffeur car ordered, along with a range of finance options making a new Volvo model an attainable and highly appealing offer for chauffeurs. For example, the new Volvo S80 is being offered on a business contract hire basis from as little as £369 plus VAT a month, which is an extremely attractive offer for professional private hire drivers.

The most popular Volvo models for use as professional chauffeur cars are the S80 and the V70 as these models offer a range of benefits which would appeal to chauffeur clients especially. These Volvo models have extended rear leg room, larger than average boots, and superior onboard comfort features making the S80 and the V70 ideal for use as chauffeur cars.

Volvo also have plans in the pipeline to introduce the hybrid plug-in V60 model which would offer reduced CO2 emissions and increased fuel efficiency which would be especially beneficial to potential chauffeur customers.

by Andrew LloydFebruary 17, 2012no comment

Chauffeurs in Oxford could be exempt from new in-car camera rule

Private hire chauffeurs are likely to be made exempt from the new rules being brought in by Oxford Council which will make it compulsory for all taxis to have in-car CCTV cameras installed to record all journeys to ensure the safety of passengers and drivers alike.

However the council is set to decide in the coming week whether private hire chauffeurs are to be made an exception to the rule as the private hire industry argues that all of their clients are known to them, pre-book their cars, and all hold accounts with their company so the inclusion of CCTV cameras in chauffeur cars would be unnecessary.

One chauffeur company owner added that his clients would be unhappy travelling in a car which was recording their every move on camera, and that many would flatly refuse to get in a car with cameras.

The Oxford council decided to implement the new rule after noting an increase in the number of complaints it received regarding sexual assaults and attacks on drivers in taxis. However some civil liberties groups are against the move to install cameras in every taxi in the city and are calling it a major invasion of privacy.

While the council is considering allowing private hire chauffeurs to be exempt from the new rule, the CCTV camera legislation will still apply to the 521 private hire vehicles and 107 hackney carriages operating in the city.

by Andrew LloydFebruary 15, 2012no comment

Chauffeur left $1 million by his former employer

A New York chauffeur has been left a $1 million fortune by his former employer. Businessman Alan Meltzer passed away last October and chose to remember two of his most trusted employees in his will.

The former record label owner divorced from his wife of 13 years just 12 months before his death. Both his chauffeur, 54-year-old Jean Laborde and his doorman, Chamil Demiraj who was left $500,000, were said to have been very supportive of Mr Meltzer during his difficult divorce, which may account for his generosity in remembering them in his will after his death.

Both of Mr Meltzer’s former employees were said to be astonished by the generous amount left to them by their boss. Chauffeur Laborde said he was unsure what he’d spend the money on, but one thing he’d definitely buy would be a bunch of flowers which he’ll lay on his old boss’s grave every year. His doorman Chamil described the $500,000 gift as a surprise, but revealed his boss was always a generous man.

The millionaire’s ex-wife, Diana a former model, was reported as saying that she couldn’t care less if her deceased ex-husband wanted to give his money to people she branded, “bums”, in a particularly scathing statement. It’s understood his ex-wife didn’t receive a penny from Mr Meltzer’s estimated $10 million fortune, while his chauffeur and doorman received $1,500 combined.

by Andrew LloydFebruary 10, 2012no comment

Mercedes chauffeur driven airport transfers for Emirates passengers

Air travel provider, Emirates, have updated their fleet of chauffeur cars used for airport transfers for First Class passengers as part of the airline’s latest venture to further enhance the travel experience of its customers.

The introduction of 46 new Mercedes Benz E200 vehicles to the Emirates fleet is designed to help improve the airline’s overall customer travel package. The latest Mercedes chauffeur cars will be reserved for transporting passengers flying First Class with Emirates, while the airline’s existing fleet of Volvo chauffeur cars will continue to be used to transport those flying Business Class with Emirates.

Airport transfers in chauffeured cars are available for First Class and Business Class Emirates customers travelling either to or from Emirates terminal 3 Dubai Airport. Travel is available throughout the United Arab Emirates with the flexibility to book a chauffeur driven airport transfers up to 12 hours before a flight for First Class Customer, and up to 24 hours in advance for Business Class travellers.

In addition to the new Mercedes chauffeur cars recently added to the Emirates fleet, other benefits for travellers flying with Emirates is the choice of 30 dedicated lounges across the Emirates networks. Emirates hope to offer a stress-free travel experience for their First Class and Business Class customers, offering a premium-door-to-door service which incorporates ground transportation as well as air travel.

by Andrew LloydFebruary 7, 2012no comment

The Audi R8 Limo goes global with Forbes press article

Since the news broke of Limo Broker’s secret project and plans to create the world’s first Audi R8 Limo, the news has spread around the world, with plans for the supercar even being featured in high profile American magazine, Forbes.

While the press coverage for the new Audi R8 limo has gone into overdrive, the exclusive YouTube video which showcases the plans for the finished design of the never-seen-before supercar has also been inundated with views, with the online video racking up just shy of 37,000 hits in a week.

The finished Audi R8 Limo will become the signature car for the UK’s leading limousine hire provider, Limo Broker, who are working in conjunction with Carbonyte UK, the creators of the world’s only Ferrari limo, to create this unique stretch limo. The winner of the Miss Limo beauty pageant 2012, Gemma Roberts from the Vale of Glamorgan, has been confirmed as the glamorous face of the Audi R8 limo.

Limo Broker Managing Director, Tej Randeva, said he is,

“Overwhelmed by the response to the Audi R8 Limo, we weren’t expecting news of our project to go global in the way it has, with the likes of Forbes magazine featuring our Audi R8 limo design on their pages” 30-year-old Tej added;

“the feedback we’re getting on the design has been extremely positive, and it’s certainly spurred us at Limo Broker, and the guys at Carbonyte UK, to make sure the finished limo is extra special and a supercar that will hold its own on the world stage.”

The Audi R8 limo had an initial completion date of late summer 2012, however due to the overwhelming response from the press and the public over the new design, Limo Broker and Carbonyte UK have pushed the finish forward and are now hoping to unveil the completed limousine in 3-4 months time, just in time for the peak wedding hire and school prom season.

by Andrew LloydJanuary 19, 2012no comment

Amitabh-Bachchan-Drives-Car-for-Oprah-Winfrey

Bollywood’s Amitabh Bachchan turns chauffeur for Oprah Winfrey visit

Bollywood mega star, Amitabh Bachchan, was more than happy to dispense with the services of his driver in order to personally chauffeur the US chat show host, Oprah Winfrey, during her very first visit to India. Amitabh was photographed behind the wheel of a white Rolls Royce, with the famous host in the back seat accompanied by Aishwarya Rai as he drove the group to a party held in the 57-year-old’s honour.

Oprah Winfrey is visiting India for the very first time and is scheduled to be attending the Jaipur Literature Festival and will also be undertaking some filming for her new show, Next Chaper, during her time in India.

The Bachchan clan are making a big effort to make Oprah Winfrey feel at home during her first visit to India. As well as personally chauffeuring the veteran TV host to a party in Mumbai on Monday night, Amitabh also accompanied Oprah as she visited the Bollywood star’s son and daughter-in-law, Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and their two-month-old baby, known only as Beti-B. Oprah Winfrey was thought to have spent about an hour at the couple’s home meeting the new addition to the family.

The top Indian actor and TV presenter, Amitabh Bachchan, took to his Twitter page to share the news with his fans about his evening with Oprah Winfrey as he wrote, “The gracious Oprah Winfrey visits our home, to meet us and bless the baby… warm hearted, endearing… drive her to party in her honour. And Oprah in sari… looking lovely!”

by Andrew LloydJanuary 17, 2012no comment

YouTube video of the Audi R8 Limo receives almost 5k hits in two days

The YouTube video giving the first look at the prototype for the world’s first Audi R8 limo has received almost 5,000 hits just two days after being posted on the video sharing site.

Limo Broker first unveiled plans to create the world’s fastest limousine last weekend at the Transport Broker Awards hosted at the home of the Ryder Cup golf tournament 2012, the Celtic Manor Resort. Chris Wright from Carbonyte UK, the creator of the world’s only Ferrari Limo, introduced the rendered video of the Audi R8 limo and outlined plans for the project to an invited audience of 250 guests, including business leaders from the luxury transport industry from across the country.

This year’s Transport Broker Awards also hosted the final of the Miss Limo beauty pageant for the very first time. The winner, Gemma Roberts, was crowned Miss Limo 2012 by the reigning Miss Universe Great Britain, Chloe-Beth Morgan. As part of Gemma’s prize for winning the title of Miss Limo 2012, she will become the face of the brand new stretch Audi R8 Limo once it’s complete.

Limo Broker Audi R8 Superlimo

Plans for the Audi R8 Limo had been kept tightly under wraps until the big announcement last weekend. Once complete, the stretch Audi R8 limousine will be the only vehicle of its kind in existence, and also the fastest limo in the world.

The YouTube video gives a 3D impression of how the finished limousine will look and is proving a big hit online having already received 4,856 hits less than 48 hours after being posted on the internet. If you’ve not checked out the video of the exclusive ne supercar yet, take a look at it right now and prepare to be blown away.

Due to high demand, a new facebook page for the Audi R8 Limo has been launched.

by Susan TaylorJanuary 13, 2012no comment

Rolls Royce smashes sales records in 2011

Rolls Royce posted record breaking sales figures for the previous year this week, with demand for the luxury car maker’s flagship model, the Rolls Royce Phantom, and the Ghost, helping to drive sales throughout 2011.

In the official figures Rolls Royce revealed they’d sold 3,538 luxury cars over the course of 2011 which is the most it’s ever sold in the space of 12 months in the company’s entire 107 year history.

Rolls Royce found that China overtook America as its biggest market in 2011. Since 2003, the US has been the biggest consumer of Rolls Royce cars, however the Asian and Pacific market grew by a massive 47% throughout the 12 months of 2011, helping China into the top spot as the biggest buyers of Rolls Royce products for the year.

The UK rolled into third place behind China and the States as the biggest market for Rolls Royce in 2011, with business in Britain rising by 30% throughout the year for the luxury car brand.

Not ones to rest on their laurels, Rolls Royce are already hatching plans to build on the success of 2011 by branching into as yet untapped markets for the renowned car manufacturer, including South America, and also the development of new product lines and its dealer network, and there are also plans to expand the Rolls Royce manufacturing plant, Goodwood in Sussex.

by Simon BerryJanuary 11, 2012no comment

Private hire company to introduce smart cars to its fleet

A private hire transport company based in Edinburgh has revealed plans to introduce Smart cars to its fleet in the New Year with the aim of reducing emissions and providing speedy and economical transportation for single passenger journeys.

Edinburgh Private Hire believe the new Smart car taxi service will be especially popular as it estimates that currently 55% of the trips undertaken by its drivers from its base at Edinburgh Airport are for single passengers.

Smart cars will not only help the company to reduce its CO2 emissions, but also enhance fuel consumption and also ease congestion due to the size of the pint size vehicles which makes them ideal for city driving.

The private hire firm is committed to green travel and says that in the future, they hope to introduce electric powered vehicles, however at the moment, the lack of charging points in the city would be a cause for concern for them. Until electric powered cars prove viable for the firm, the Smart cars will assist Edinburgh Private Hire in its bid to provide eco friendly travel.

Edinburgh Private Hire hope to have the first of their Smart cars up and running in the first quarter of 2012 after the City Council granted permission and waived licence conditions.

The company say they hope to pass on the savings to the customer through reduced fares as the cost would be set for single passengers.

by Susan TaylorJanuary 4, 2012no comment

Mercedes “Taxi” owned by Ryanair boss up for sale

Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary has advertised his personal chauffeur car for sale, billing it as the “Ireland’s most famous taxi” and stating himself as the owner in attempt to grab the attention of second hand car buyers.

The 2007 Mercedes Benz S-Class S500L long wheelbase car has extended legroom for the comfort of its passengers and comes with full leather interior, heated seats and in-car phone kit, however it also comes with a sky high mileage with 170,000 miles on the clock.

The Irish budget airline owner caused controversy when in 2003 he bought a taxi licence when meant that his registered car could be driven in bus lanes, helping the Ryanair boss dodge gridlocked traffic. However Mr O’Leary was later forced to employ a chauffeur as part of the rules of the licence and the Mercedes has to meter all of its trips in accordance with the taxi licence regulations.

The Ryanair boss obviously travels a great deal as the car has accumulated a mileage of 170,000 in just four years. It also emerged that in 2009, O’Leary ran up a bill of €96,000 to the taxi company who supplied his chauffeur, coincidentally, O’Leary also owns the company.

If you fancy getting behind the wheel of the businessman’s Mercedes chauffeur car, then it can be yours for just €20,000, which works out as £16,700.

by Susan TaylorDecember 22, 2011no comment

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