Popular U.S Limousine manufacturer, Imperial Coach Builders, is to produce fully electric limousines according to online reports.

thechauffeur.com has exclusively learned that the industry is being targeted by a brand new luxury car manufacturer.

Eterniti Motors, London, announced yesterday it is to unveil its luxury vehicle at the Frankfurt International Motor Show in September – and we’ve been told the cabin space has been designed with the chauffeur in mind.

Details of the company are rather vague at the moment, but reports say customers will not get much change from £100,000 and the first model, the Hemera, is to be produced from a Porsche Cayenne chassis.

Pictured is the frost official glance of the new vehicle from the British company.

A limousine sales company has teamed-up with Carisma Auto Design to promote its luxury vehicle conversions throughout the UK, Europe and the Far East.

LimoWorld UK, famous for it’s Krystal limousine vehicles has announce the partnership with Carisma Auto Design Ltd presenting LimoWorld the opportunity to market what it describes as the ‘very best executive Transport solution available in today’s market place’.

Nick Clarke, Managing Director of LimoWorld commented; “Given the financial situation that the world and business finds itself in today, this product with its discrete exterior and very high end bespoke interior presents a very good impression to shareholders and customers that their business leaders are practicing economy in their choice of executive transport without actually giving up the practical yet luxurious interiors available’.

Clive Drake, Sales Director for Carisma Auto Design commented; “LimoWorld is a well-established brand in supplying quality limousines across a range of markets – not only in the UK, but worldwide. The diversity of LimoWorld allows us access to a proven sales channel; in turn we are able to offer them a flexible and diverse range of products, either discreet vehicle transportation and limousines – or mobile office solutions for corporations looking to maximise executives time when on the move.”

Bringing together Mercedes-Benz vehicles, luxury materials and workmanship from the highest skilled craftsmen, it allows Carisma to develop and produce interiors ‘in the best traditions of English craftsmanship’.

The partnership is offering various configurations which are suitable for the top executive with a two seat private office with sleeper seats to the VIP Airport shuttle with additional luggage capacity developed alongside the driver. The objective is to give the passengers the interior style and comfort that they would experience in the world famous Maybach, with practicality and economy that a more discrete exterior can offer .

With prices starting from £54,500 for the conversion to a customer supplied vehicle, this configuration of top quality light commercial vehicle with high end top quality interior is becoming increasingly popular amongst corporate customers and executive transport providers.

Mr Clarke added; “This is exactly the way forward that we see the Executive Transport market going offering very high end bespoke interiors but with a discrete exterior appearance.”

X Factor fans in Manchester are being offered the ultimate treat thanks to Style Limousines as it launches an exclusive Karaoke Limo Bus.

Following a three week renovation project in the UK, a seven year old Mercedes Sprinter has undergone a complete overhaul and been transformed into an X Factor Karaoke Bus, and it’s already setting new standards within the limousine industry.

The bus houses a number of celebrations of the ITV Show including images of judges Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne and Cheryl Cole. Party-goers can sing their favourite X Factor tunes on the state-of-the-art Karaoke system and if it takes their fancy, a quick dance around the newly installed poles.

Fifteen passengers can be transported in the coach certified vehicle including one wheelchair user. Danny Cawley told thechauffeur.com; “It is amazing how popular this the bus has been, especially with the current school prom season. it is currently being hired for £220 per hour.”

He added; “Although the limousine industry is still relatively busy, operators are always looking for something new to stay ahead of their competitors, so limo buses do just that and are very well received by the public.”

Style Limousine based in Cheadle, Manchester, has been the trend setter for numerous themed stretched limousines over the past few years, and now, boss Danny Cawley promises there is more to come as the company sets upon its latest venture.

Danny commented; “We are currently converting a Scania Coach into a Vegas Party Bus. It will contain roulette tables and the biggest dance floor than any other vehicle, so watch this space.”

http://www.stylelimousines.co.uk/

Authorities in Dudley are the latest to actively hunt limousine operators putting prom-goers lives at risk.

In the middle of the school prom season, VOSA officials along with traffic officers and licensing officers from Dudley Council recently targeted a number of venues with a program of checks on stretched limousines to ensure they are correctly licensed, insured and roadworthy.

One crackdown saw one limousine impounded by Police as it appeared to be unroadworthy.

Councillor Tim Wright, Dudley cabinet member for human resources, law and governance, said: “Every year students look to celebrate their prom night by arriving in limousines. We are committed to making sure they do so safely and legally and I hope they have enormous fun and arrive in style in celebrating the end of some very hard work.

“I would urge parents to take the time to make sure insurance and licenses are all properly in order before agreeing a booking.

“I am sure the vast majority of companies who operate these are law abiding and follow the correct procedures, but those who do not face prosecution through the courts.”

A stunning graphic and insight into the U.S President’s armoured Cadillac Limousine has been revealed by the Mail Online.

It comes on the day Barack Obama visits Dublin for a whistle top tour of Ireland surrounded by up to 400 U.S secret service agents. The graphic shown highlights the secret locks, tear gas launchers and Bond-style gadgets which protect the President to the highest levels.

He will travel into and around Ireland in his own fleet of transport vehicles, including Air Force One, Marine One helicopter and presidential State car – a limousine – Cadillac One. Air Force One costs a staggering €182,000 per hour to run.

See the details of the limousine here.

Football hooligans trashed a Merseyside business man’s £120,000 custom-built limousine in a terrifying motorway service station attack.

A group of Manchester United fans converged on the vehicle, which was ferrying a group of rival Manchester City supporters back from Wembley following their teams’ FA Cup semi-final clash on Saturday night.

Thugs bombarded the limo with bottles of antifreeze from a petrol forecourt before smashing the front windscreen and kicking in side panels.

Inside the vehicle, which had stopped to refuel at Corley Services, on the M6, 11 frightened City fans – one aged just 10 – feared for their safety.

Mike Heybourne, who runs Southport-based MD Travel, said the vandals caused £10,000 damage.

He said: “We had a great day out with the Man City fans who were lads and their dads who wanted to celebrate their Wembley appearance in style.

“On the way back the driver had to stop for fuel at the services when a coach of Man Utd fans pulled up alongside.

“Some of them must have noticed that there were Man City fans inside the limo and they started causing aggro.

“There were 15 people all throwing whatever they could get the hands on. They were grabbing bottles of antifreeze from the forecourt and started smashing up the limousine.

“They surrounded the vehicle and started beating and rocking it. The people inside were so terrified. I dread to think what might have happened had the doors not been locked.

“Every panel on the limousine was damaged by missiles or was kicked in. They were like animals.”

Police quickly arrived on the scene and made a series of arrests. A replacement mini-bus was sent from Southport to collect the shaken supporters and drive them back to Manchester.

The bus driver stayed with the vehicle in the service station car park overnight.

Me Heybourne added: “The passengers had a great day with us and saw their team reach the FA Cup final.

“But this must have soured it for them. There were kids watching Man City DVDs suddenly coming under attack from grown men.

“I’ve been a Liverpool fan all my life and I understand the need for good-natured rivalry in football. But these people were animals. There’s no room for them in football.”

The 16-seater Night Rider party bus, which contains four plasma TVs, DVD players and laser show lighting, is off-road in following the attack.

Mr Heybourne added: “It’s horrendous – an absolute nightmare. We’re fully-booked at the moment and the limo is due to be used three times on Saturday.

“It’s in the garage at the moment and the last thing we want to do is disappoint people by having to cancel.”

Warwickshire police confirmed the arrests of two men. No-one at Manchester United was available for comment.

Source: Southport Visiter

An East Sussex limousine firm has had its operator’s licence revoked following an apparent failure of maintenance and an inability to demonstrate sufficient financial standing.

The Traffic Commissioner for the South Eastern and Metropolitan Traffic Area, Philip Brown, found that the operator had lost its good repute following a Public Inquiry on 8th December 2010. Mr Marshall was called to the Inquiry in relation to his Public Service Vehicle (PSV) operator’s licence which authorises him to use eight vehicles.

Mr Marshall’s licence for his company ‘A Touch of Class Limousines Limited’ was investigated by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) after a vehicle was presented for its annual test twice before it obtained a pass certificate.

The VOSA investigation also found there were 16 prohibitions issued against the operator’s vehicles, 11 of which were issued in 2010. Other aspects of the investigation showed the vehicles were missing maintenance inspection records, and the company had failed to record the repairs on the inspection sheets. Also, the company had not signed off inspection sheets after work had concluded.

During the Inquiry in December 2010, the Traffic Commissioner was supplied with written documents which stated that Mr Marshall had not been able to exercise the necessary control and supervision required on the operator licensing side after his transport manager resigned during 2009. He also failed to inform the Office of the Traffic Commissioner of this resignation, but produced evidence to show he had notified the Central Licensing Office in Leeds.

At the Public Inquiry accompanying transport consultant, Malcolm Haddow, said that Mr Marshall accepted full responsibility for the non-compliance issues of the operator’s licence and had operated without a transport manager since 2009. Mr Marshall apologised to the Traffic Commissioner for these various issues.

In making his decision Traffic Commissioner, Philip Brown, said it was clear that any action taken to remedy the non-compliance issues had only been taken recently, and Mr Marshall had a long way to go in order to establish a safe and roadworthy fleet of vehicles. Many failures during the annual certificate tests were critical of matters relating to road safety, including tyres, brakes and exhausts. Any required action to make vehicles roadworthy is mandatory and not an optional extra.

The revocation takes effect from the 30 April 2011. As the operator has attempted to comply fully with the PSV operator licensing scheme, he is open to apply for a new operator’s licence after 30 April 2011 provided he can re-establish his good repute.

In what is being considered the biggest show of force to date from VOSA – two stretch limousines have been crushed and shredded.

The Ford Excursions were seized from a South Wales company because they were being operated illegally and did not meet safety regulations which VOSA enforce.

thechauffeur.com was there to see the limousines being put through the world’s biggest metal shredder in Newport operated by Sims Management. The owner of the limousine was not present at the event and you can see why, as massive cranes tossed the limousines around like toy cars, and are now heading for China to be recycled.

Companies running passenger service vehicles (PSV’s) with eight seats or more must have an Operator’s Licence to show that they meet strict rules on safety procedures and financial standing. In 2009 VOSA was given new powers to impound and, in some cases, destroy vehicles which were being used without a licence.

This was the first time a limousine has been destroyed in this manner by VOSA, and now it is hoping the shocking images and video will send a strong message to those who continue to flout the laws.

Famous motoring website AutoBlog has published spy photographs of the new Lincoln MKT Crossover limousine in testing.

The 3.7 V6 MKT was spotted by photographers in USA recently and give a good indication of how this stunning new limousine will stand-out from other vehicles.

Click here to see the gallery.