Cars for Stars News

Chauffeur warns of travellers’ cheques scam

A self-employed chauffeur from Aberdeen has come forward to warn other drivers about a fake travellers’ cheques scam which would have cost his bank thousands of pounds.

David Craig advertises his chauffeur services on online, and was contacted by a potential customer via the driving site. Using the name Kelvin Moore, the man stated he would like to employ Mr Craig as his chauffeur while he was visiting Aberdeen for research purposes from Nigeria.

The customer then offered to pay the 66-year-old chauffeur an advance payment of £300 and sent over three travellers’ cheques, worth €1,500. However Mr Craig became suspicious when the customer then asked for him to cash the cheques at a Western Union branch, take out his share for his chauffeur services, and transfer the rest of the money back to him to pay for “airport fees.”

Suspecting there was something amiss, the chauffeur took the cheques to the bank where they discovered they were indeed fake. However the bank believe the cheques stood a high chance of being cashed at a Western Union branch, and should this have happened, the bank would have been thousands of pounds out of pocket.

The chauffeur from Aberdeen decided to come forward with his story to warn other chauffeur who could well find themselves in a similar position.

The incident has been reported to the police. They believe Mr Craig could be one of thousands of people in the UK who are targeted by Nigerian gangs to have money sent out to them through the use of forged cheques.

by Andrew LloydOctober 15, 2010no comment

The 2011 Bugatti Veyron Super Sport car is revealed

With a starting price of $2.5 million, a top speed of 268mph, and boasting 1.200bhp, the new 2011 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport is most definitely not for the faint hearted.

The brand new offering from Bugatti was unveiled for the first time at the prestigious motor show, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in the US this summer. The new 2011 model replaces the older version, the 2005 Veyron, and aims to offer its customers a driving experience like no other.

It’s not surprising to learn that this super car has already broken records, namely the Guinness land speed record. With Bugatti test driver Pierre-Henri Raphanal behind the wheel, the 2011 Veyron succeeded in topping the land speed record back in July of this year by clocking up an impressive 267.81mph which is a new world record for a production car.

This super-charged sports car is equipped with 4 fuel pumps and is capable of achieving 0-62mph n 2.5 seconds and 0-189mph in an eye-watering 14.6 seconds; it’s no wonder it’s been named by hit BBC motoring show Top Gear as their Car of the Decade (2000-2009).

Bugatti plans to make between 30-40 of the new 2011 model super cars, and with prices ranging from $2.5 million to $3 million, it’s surely worth it for the fastest production car on the planet?!

by Susan TaylorOctober 14, 20101 comment

Brand new state of the art coach hire website launched

A brand new coach hire website offering unbeatable deals on top quality transport has just been launched. Cheapcoachhire.co.uk is the latest coach hire website to be launched in the UK, specialising in the provision of luxurious chauffeur driven coach hire at a low cost rate across the whole of the country.

Whether you require a double-decker bus to transport you on a school excursion in Chester, a standard size coach for a works outing in London, or a minibus to transfer you to Manchester or Heathrow Airport, http://www.cheapcoachhire.com/ will ensure you receive the exact service to suit your needs, at a rate that won’t break the bank.

With a wide range of immaculately maintained coaches and minibuses to choose from, you’re bound to find exactly the right vehicle for your coach hire trip when you enlist the expert help of cheapcoachhire.co.uk.

Choose from 8-seater minibuses with leather upholstery, to 24-seater mini coaches with air conditioning, to standard size 40-seater executive coaches with reclining chairs and plasma screens, to 80-seater double-decker coaches with onboard W.C facilities; in short, there’s something to suit every size party and every type of trip amongst cheapcoachhire.co.uk’s extensive fleet of vehicles.

It couldn’t be easier to receive a free low cost coach hire quote with cheapcoachhire.co.uk’s brand new state of the art website. Simply complete the enquiry form with your basic information, and the team will search through stacks of transport providers in your chosen area until they find the cheapest possible rate. Click on the following link to learn more about this exclusive new coach hire service http://www.cheapcoachhire.com/

by Anita KumarOctober 13, 2010no comment

Google trials robot chauffeurs

Soon the use of a private chauffeur may not be restricted to the rich and famous as Google has come up with a concept which could change the way we travel forever. The organisation has recently confirmed their plans to create the world’s first self-driving car.

A prototype robot chauffeur created by Google has already been in use on roads in California and according to the bosses at Google, the self-driving vehicle has over 140,000 test drive hours under its belt.

The Toyota Prius has been used to experiment with the new concept. The vehicles have been driven using the robot chauffeur technology between Google’s head quarters in Mountain Valley, California, to the company’s other office in Santa Monica.

According to Google, the test drives have gone ahead successfully, with minimal human input. The cars were driven with a technician at the wheel in case of any technical issues. The only accident which was reported using a self-drove Google car came about as a result of another car driving into the rear of the vehicle while stopped at a set of traffic lights.

The software equips the vehicle with artificial intelligence which enables the car to stop, start, and turn without instruction from a human being. Google’s concept has the potential to revolutionise the way we use the roads as the search engine giant believes the use of the self-drive car would cut down on accidents, free up people’s time, and also help cut carbon emissions.

by Andrew LloydOctober 13, 2010no comment

Luxurious limo hire offers available for city breaks in Edinburgh

Whether you’re planning a night out to celebrate a hen or stag party, a shopping spree with friends, or a weekend away with a loved one, Edinburgh is a great city to visit as it has a raft of superb attractions to offer with something to suit every occasion.

Cars for Stars is offering a range of low cost deals on limo hire in Edinburgh so now you can see all the beautiful Scottish capital has to offer from the comfort of your own chauffeur driven limousine.

With a wide range of top of the range limousines to choose from, including sleek black Lincoln Town Cars, pink hummer limos, and the elegant Rolls Royce Phantom, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to finding the right limo for your big event.

Cars for Stars is offering affordable limo hire all over the Edinburgh area, so whether you require a chauffeur driven limo to transport you to your wedding in Newhaven, a birthday bash in Dalkeith, an anniversary celebration in Craigleith, or a corporate event in Livingston, or a function in Musselburgh, you won’t find a better deal anywhere else.

If you’re visiting Edinburgh for the very first time you’ll be amazed by the number of great things there are to see and do in the city. If you’re looking for a great night out, check out the many bars at clubs in the Grassmarket or Cowgate area of the city. For a shopping spree to remember, head to Princes Street, and to get a taste of Edinburgh’s rich history take a stroll down the Royal Mile and visit the majestic Edinburgh Castle.

With the largest fleet of top class limos to choose from for your special occasion in Edinburgh, all of which are available at unbeatable rates, you won’t fail to have a limo hire trip to remember when you enlist the expert services of Cars for Stars. Get in touch now to receive a free quote.

by Simon BerryOctober 12, 2010no comment

Mercedes set to introduce iPad docking stations

Mercedes Benz has revealed plans to introduce an iPad docking system which will be installed in the headrests of the front seats.

BMW were the first luxury car manufacturer to launch an in-car iPad docking system. The car maker unveiled the new system at the recent Paris Motor Show.

Not ones to be left behind, Mercedes-Benz set to work on creating their own version, the exact details of which have just been revealed.

Mercedes plan to offer iPad docking stations in the headrests of the front seats for use by passengers travelling in the rear of the vehicle. It’s expected the iPad docking system, which allows the device to be operated and charged, will be especially popular with business people as it will allow them to work while on the move, and also with families as the iPad can be used as a form on in-car entertainment to keep children amused on long journeys.

It is thought the iPad docking system onboard Mercedes models will be a great asset for private hire chauffeur drivers as it offers an extra onboard service for paying passengers.

Concerns have been raised as to whether the positioning of the iPad docking station in the rear of the front headrest is the best idea as it could be uncomfortable to operate while sitting back in the rear seats.

The inclusion of Apple device accessories in vehicles is becoming a common occurrence as car makers seek to include these added extras in new models to add another selling point to their vehicles.

by Andrew LloydOctober 11, 2010no comment

Mercedes launch their new R-Class model in India

Mercedes-Benz has this week launched their brand new R-Class model in India. The luxury car manufacturer will be hoping the introduction of the new model will enable them to reclaim the top spot in the luxury car market from BMW who stole the crown from Mercedes last year.

The Mercedes R-Class has been described by the car maker as the “perfect crossover” between a sedan and an SUV. The car manufacturer believes the new R-Class will plug a gap in the market as it offers the performance of a SUV, and yet the style of a Sedan providing customers the best of both worlds.

The 7-seater Mercedes R-Class made its debut at the New York International Auto Show in March of this year where it attracted a great deal of interest. Mercedes say the initial reaction to the new model is extremely encouraging as they’ve already achieved their sales target for the year for the R-Class model in India.

The luxury car maker gauges that the R-Class models fits somewhere between the manufacturer’s existing models of the M-Class and the GL-Class offering a “brand new segment” in the luxury car market.

Since the start of the year Mercedes have introduced 18 new models and variants. At present, India is one of the few countries where the new R-Class will be available, however if it is deemed a success, it could be introduced in other part so of the world in the future.

by Anita KumarOctober 8, 2010no comment

Vintage sports car makes £75k at auction

An extremely rare 1920’s sports car was one of two classic motors to achieve £75,000 at an Isle of Man auction last week.

The 1927 Arab Super Sport attracted a great deal of attention due to its rarity as it’s believed to be one of only two existing models in the world.

The vintage vehicle has been owned by an Isle of Man resident for the past 18 years until it was sold at auction at Mount Murray last Friday.

The Arab Super Sport was thought to have been manufactured in Hertfordshire in the 1920’s and boasts a 2 litre 4 cylinder engine which is capable of reaching speeds of up to 90mph.

The auctioneer at Mount Murray placed a guide price of £80,000 on the classic car, although he conceded it was difficult to a gauge a selling price on the vehicle due to its rarity.

The other classic sports car to achieve a staggering £75,000 price at auction was a Riley Brooklands, while a 1936 Railton Fairmile vehicle was sold for £37,000 at the motor auction.

The rare Arab Super Sport attracted bidders from across Europe, including Germany and Finland. A number of interested parties from across the UK also made the trip to the Isle of Man to bid on the vintage sports car. In the end, the 1920’s ride was sold to a UK bidder.

by Simon BerryOctober 7, 2010no comment

Advantage car hire reveals US expansion plans

Advantage rent-a-car has revealed their US expansion plans for the first time. The budget car rental company, which is owned by the larger and better known vehicle rental firm Hertz, is planning to open outlets in 4 different locations in the US in the coming months.

All of the new car hire branches will be conveniently located close to airports. The first batch of new outlets are planned for Milwaukee, Louisville, Boston and Dallas.

Advantage plan to continue their development plans throughout following year by opening new car rental bases in 6 different locations across the country including two in Las Vegas, one in Tampa, Charlotte, Providence and Raleigh Durham which will bring the company’s total number of branches in the US to 44.

The bosses at Advantage believe the car rental firm is growing in popularity as it offers an affordable car hire service targeting customers with a small to moderate budget for car hire. Advantage also benefits from a strong online presence which is especially important as recent statistics have revealed that the majority of car rental customers now make reservations online.

Advantage rent-a-car has shown encouraging growth in recent times as it now boasts car rental outlets across the US, and also in the UK and selected parts of Europe.

by Andrew LloydOctober 6, 2010no comment

Victim of chauffeur job scam at risk of losing his home

One of the victim’s of Mark Shortland, who was jailed in September for offering fake chauffeur jobs, is now at risk of losing his home after he quit his job to take up the new position offered by the conman.

Ian Fawsitt from Gotham, Nottinghamshire, fell victim to the scam after applying for a job he saw advertised on the Directgov website in April. After attending an interview in May, Mr Fawsitt was offered the position of chauffeur with Mark Shortland.

Having been made an offer of work, Fawsitt handed in his notice at the chemical cleaning company where he was employed at the time. Fawsitt also handed over £100 to the Shortland which he was told was a deposit for the keys to the luxury BMW he would be using to chauffeur high profile names such as Simon Cowell.

After the start date for Fawsitt’s his new job came and went and he was unable to get in touch with Shortland, he decided to contact police. It was at this point he realised he’d been duped into quitting his job, and he was among 30 other people who’d also been caught out by the scam.

The news couldn’t have come at a worse time as Mr Fawsitt’s wife is about to give birth to the couple’s first child. Now Fawsitt is left jobless, and says he’s lost thousands of pounds, his car, and to top it all he’s now facing the prospect of losing his home.

43-year-old conman Mark Shortland made £100,000 from his victims by offering fake chauffeur jobs. He was convicted at Sheffield Crown Court after admitting six charges of theft, three counts of fraud, and one charge of obtaining services by deception. Shortland is now serving a three year jail sentence for his crimes.

by Anita KumarOctober 4, 2010no comment

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