American Limousine Sales, based in Los Angeles, manufactured the custom-converted 100-inch stretch for a commercial client based in Nassau, Bahamas. The white MKS stretch, bought from an area dealership, was converted at ALS’s manufacturing facility in Lynwood, Los Angeles. ALS mostly specialises in building customised stretch versions of the Hummer H3 and the Chrysler 300.

Richard Murillo, from ALS spoke to LCT Magazine about the pros and cons of the MKS stretch, which is not part of the Ford Fleet Limousine & Livery Vehicles official line-up of livery vehicles. The successor to the Lincoln Town Car is the 2013 Lincoln MKT Town Car, a cross-over styled vehicle which debuted at the ILCT Show this year and will reappear with some refinements at the 2012 International LCT Show in February 2013.

He commented; “I’m amazed at how smooth the ride is. I can’t tell if the engine is on or not. There is so much insulation in the engine compartment. Even outside you can barely hear engine running. It accelerates very smoothly.”

The all-wheel-drive MKS stretch is powered by V-6, 3.6 litre engine and seats six passengers comfortably.

Murillo added; “When I discussed these options with my client, I showed him the MKT. He didn’t like it. I showed him what else Lincoln has to offer since he really likes the Lincoln brand. He liked the MKZ and then I showed him the MKS. When he compared them, he chose the S model due to the additional size and amenities that come with the MKS.”

The MKS stretch comes fully stocked with LED flat screen TVs, DVD player, beverage bars, surround sound, and LED interior lights.

Some advantages of the MKS: Strong braking system, good turning radius, consistent acceleration, smooth suspension, and an overall luxurious feel, Murillo said.

Some drawbacks of the MKS: Small boot space compared to the Lincoln Town Car. The MKT actually has 40% more cargo area than the Town Car. Also, the MKS engine is smaller than that of the Town Car, but technological advances have enabled V6 engines to approximate the power and performance of V8′s, Murillo said.

“I don’t think the Town Car can ever be replaced, but if there is a replacement for the Town Car, it’s not the MKT because of its overall look. I think Lincoln has the right intentions, but I think the MKS more closely resembles a Town Car. But it does have some pitfalls.”

American Limousine Sales does not plan to display an MKS stretch at either the 2012 International LCT Show in Las Vegas or the 2011 Limousine Digest Show in Atlantic City, N.J. Murillo has received a lot of inquiries about the MKS stretch since sending out an e-blast about it, but does not have any firm orders as of this week or plans to build any demos. “There are no guarantees at this point.”

Source and images: LCT Mag
Source: The Argus

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From 3 January 2012 vehicles that are already affected by the LEZ – HGVs, buses and coaches – will have to meet a Euro IV standard for particulate matter (PM) to drive within Greater London without paying a £200 daily charge. A guide has been issued to inform operators of what they need to do to comply.

Also from this date, larger vans, minibuses and other specialist vehicles will have to meet LEZ standards for the first time. These vehicles will have to meet a Euro 3 emissions standard for particulate matter (PM) in order to drive within Greater London without paying a £100 daily charge.

Whilst most vehicles set to be affected by the scheme are already compliant, for the minority that are not, the Mayor Boris Johnson, recently announced he has secured significant discounts off a range of new vans and minibuses in an unprecedented package of financial deals. Eighty per cent of vehicles affected by the LEZ for the first time in 2012 are vans and offers from manufacturers in some cases amount to thousands of pounds off a new vehicle.

Kulveer Ranger, the Mayor’s environment director, said: “The Mayor is taking robust steps to deliver cleaner air and improve Londoners’ health. Changes to the Low Emission Zone in January are a key part of these plans.

“The vast majority of vehicles set to be affected by these new standards are already compliant. However, a small minority of drivers still need to take action to avoid fines. There is a range of options available to vehicle owners and as part of this, the Mayor has agreed deals with a number of vehicle manufacturers for discounts off new vehicles. However, some options to make vehicles compliant, such as fitting an approved filter, can take up to three months to complete, so I urge those who are affected to take action as soon as possible.”

There are a range of options available to vehicle operators to ensure their vehicles comply with the LEZ standards, including fitting an approved exhaust filter; purchasing a cleaner new or second hand vehicle; re-organising a fleet so that only vehicles which meet the required emissions standards drive within the LEZ; or leasing or renting a compliant vehicle.  Owners of vehicles that do not meet the emissions standards and have not paid a daily charge and drive within the LEZ risk a significant penalty charge.

Manufacturer discounts

Ashwoods: A substantial discount off any Ford Transit, Ford Transit Connect, or Ford Transit minibus.  All are fitted with Ashwoods’ proprietary EcoDrive technology, which reduces the vehicle’s fuel consumption by up to 10 per cent.  Furthermore, they also receive up to £500 cash back for trading in their non-compliant vehicle.

Citroën: A ‘Go Green & Clean Allowance’ of up to £3,500 towards a new Citroën LCV.

Fiat: a combination of VAT only deposit, coupled with a six-month payment holiday and a low rate (1.1% APR) of interest.  The deal applies to the following models: Fiorino; Doblo’ Cargo; Scudo; Ducato; Ducato Minibus.

Ford: Scrappage programme in which owners of vans that are ten, or more, years old will qualify for up to £3,000 off a new Ford van.  This scrappage scheme programme is available on Ford Fiesta Van, Ford Transit Connect and the iconic Ford Transit.

Mercedes-Benz: Van swappage scheme which is based around a weekly payment of £60, allowing operators to swap into a new Mercedes-Benz Vito.

Peugeot: Peugeot are offering, a customer who has been mailed by Transport for London a cash-back payment if they purchase and register a new Peugeot van. The payments are, Bipper £500, Partner £750, Expert £1500 and £2000 on Boxer.

Renault: offers as follows, depending on the model: up to £2,900 off the Kangoo Van range; up to £4,600 off the Trafic Van and Passenger range; up to £6,000 off the Master range.

Vauxhall: Vauxhall are offer savings of up to £7,500 with their Vauxhall swappage scheme across the Vauxhall Commercial vehicle range.

Volkswagen: Volkswagen Commercial will be offering a deposit contribution towards finance offers on new vehicles and preferential servicing packages for used vehicles.

Daily charge and penalty charges:
Owners of HGVs, buses and coaches that do not meet the required Euro IV for PM emissions standards by 3 January 2012, and who drive within Greater London will have to pay a £200 daily charge or risk a £1,000 penalty.  Lorries, buses and coaches registered as new on or after 1 October 2006 will already meet the LEZ standards from 2012.

Owners of larger vans and minibuses who do not comply with the new Euro 3 for PM emissions standards will have to pay a £100 daily charge or risk a £500 penalty if they drive within Greater London.  Vans and minibuses registered on or after 1 January 2002 will already meet the LEZ standards.
Source: The Argus

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A CCTV image has been released of the cheeky chauffeur who filled-up his vehicle and promised to return with the cash to pay. He obviously works for an unreliable limo firm, because he never turned-up!

He was white, 5ft 7ins tall, about 25 years old with short brown hair, and was wearing a white shirt, black trousers and shoes and a striped tie.

If you recognise the chauffeur who visited Tesco in Cleckheaton on August 2 at 9.30am, contact 01924 295357.
Source: The Argus

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According to an online forum, companies throughout the country are experiencing an unusually early number of vehicle bookings compared to previous prom seasons. January through to April are traditionally the busiest times for bookings, as schools announce the dates for their events – but some operators were being booked-up as early as June this year.

Russ Jones from Lancashire Limousines told the chauffeur.com; “Although we only have about seven jobs booked in for the proms in 2012, it’s very unusual for this to happen so early. Prices for vehicles are being maintained as well, so I think if operators are keeping up with the trends, then they could be in for a very busy year.’

It seems as if the traditional stretched limousine is becoming less popular every year – as requests for something different to the norm is high on the school leavers lists. Wedding and novelty transport has become the new trend with limousine prices being charged, meaning greater profits for the operator.

Mr Jones added; “A few years ago, stretched limousines was the biggest part of our company, but that has changed very recently as customers continue to look for something a little bit different every year. Our classic replica vehicles and limo buses have overtaken the limousine – we’ve even seen operational fire engines and Police vehicles at recent proms!’

Operators battle every year to keep up with the demand for vehicles, especially when the Royal Ascot falls in the middle of the prom season. Dates for the Ascot event fall around a week later in 2012 – meaning operators may miss some key prom dates which are normally towards the end of June.