Based near Eastbourne, East Sussex, The Club Class Group, an Investor in People accredited company, has announced the creation of new jobs in the area to build its chauffeur services and insurance company.

Club Class Chauffeurs serves around 160 local businesses and it has strengthened to secure a number of business awards over recent years. Launched in 1992, the company begun as a family business using local contractors to carry out work in the area until the company was reformed in 2000 to own its own fleet of cars and drivers.

Jonathan Dow of Club Class, said: “We are delighted to be offering new employment opportunities in the area. We have already recruited two apprentices and taken on a number of new drivers, now we need further support in our insurance arm.”

See our recent interview with Jonathan Dow…

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The Licensed Private Hire Car Association has announced the date of its final event before the Olympics hit the city and promises to cover important industry topics such as the implications ahead of the games as well as important legislation issues.

To be held at the Marriott Hotel, Heathrow, the event will hear from the Director of Transport for the Olympic Delivery Authority, Hugh Sumner along with representatives from The Law Commission who will be talking about plans to radically change Taxi and Private Hire regulations.

The event will also showcase a number of vehicles from a number of manufacturers along with industry suppliers from areas such as in-car payments, software and insurance services.

Industry members are being asked to pre-register for the event which takes place on Thursday 14th June 2012 at 10am by visiting the link below…

http://www.lphca.co.uk/2012_road_show_link.html

The Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) has been using local media to urge parents to check the operators licenses and insurance before letting their children travel in the vehicles. The warning comes following a number of crackdowns in London and other parts of the country – officers are telling the industry there are plenty more to come.

A recent operation saw more than 70 penalties dished out to illegal operators in just a few weeks, and prohibition notices were also served on a number of limousines and towed away on the spot.

Road Safety Minister Mike Penning said; “Those operating vehicles outside of the law put the safety of their passengers and other road users at risk, and create unfair competition for legitimately-run businesses. This is something that will not be tolerated and VOSA will make full use of their powers to stop the small minority of cowboy operators who threaten to bring the industry into disrepute.”

VOSA has issued advice to schools and parents on how they can check whether a company is licensed.

It’s advising them to check if a company holds a passenger service vehicle licence by visiting VOSA’s website or calling the helpline on 0300 123 9000. Also, check if a company holds a private hire licence by contacting the local council.

The striking new rear-wheel drive will be launched in a number of key overseas markets starting in the fourth quarter of 2012 – but NOT in the UK.

With a 5,090 mm overall length and 3,045 mm wheelbase, K9 offers generous front and rear occupant space. Overall width and height are 1,900 mm and 1,490 mm, respectively, which creates a spacious cabin environment.

Initially, K9 will be available in some overseas markets powered by an upgraded 290 ps Lambda V6 3.8-litre MPI engine, with a 334 ps 3.8-litre GDI engine joining the global engine line-up next year.

The all-new saloon will premiere a range of advanced luxury features and technologies, including fully adaptive all-LED headlamps, Lane Departure Warning System (LDWS), radar-based Blind-Spot Detection (BSD), a 17-speaker Lexicon (by Harman) sound system, Smart Cruise Control (SCC) and an Around-View Monitor (AVM) with four cameras.

Every K9 comes with Kia’s all-new eight-speed automatic transmission. The wide spread of gear ratios guarantees brisk acceleration and high-speed refinement, while shift-by-wire (SBW) technology with a joystick control delivers fast, smooth gear changes.

“K9 is all about elegant simplicity, balanced proportions and simple surfaces,” says Kia’s Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer. “The class-leading long wheelbase, the prestige distance, large wheels, sharply upright short overhangs and a long sweeping shoulder line all work together in harmony to give K9 a sporty, athletic proportion and a confident stance quintessential to a premium large rear-wheel drive vehicle.”

“K9 is a clear signal of our intention and determination to compete head-to-head with the European luxury brands. And for Kia, our customers, and for me – this car is like a dream come true,” concludes Schreyer.

The stunning new Chrysler 300C executive saloon, flagship of the resurgent Chrysler brand, will go on sale here in June.

Already the proud possessor of a hatful of awards since its US launch at the Detroit Auto Show in 2011, the eagerly-awaited new 300C will become available in two diesel-powered versions, for which UK prices have just been announced.

Starting at just £35,995 OTR for the 300C Limited, the luxury saloon will deliver European-style quality and finesse, coupled with American-style comfort and high levels of equipment as standard.

The new four-door car represents outstanding value for money and positions the 300C among its benchmark rivals in the competitive top-line luxury sector of the market. The highly specified 300C Executive costs just £39,995, an OTR price that includes adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring system, forward collision warning, keyless entry, powered rear sunshade, and heated and ventilated Nappa leather seats among its many standard features.

Available from the start with a 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine producing 236bhp and 540Nm of torque, the new 300C will return 39.8 mpg (Combined) fuel economy and has a CO₂ figure of 185-191g/km depending on wheel size.

The side profile of the new 300C features the distinctive proportions of its popular predecessor, but with added refinement and a more tailored appearance. The car has the largest standard colour touchscreen display and the largest sunroof in its segment, and is also one of the quietest vehicles available.

With an emphasis on safety and comfort, standard equipment on the entry-level Limited version includes heated front and rear seats, load levelling suspension and height control, LED daytime running lamps, electronic stability control (ESC), hill start assist, active head restraints, and curtain, side, front and rear airbags.

“Production of this eagerly-awaited new executive saloon is well underway and I am delighted to be able to announce pricing,” says Nigel Land, brand director, Jeep Chrysler UK. “The 300C promises distinction and innovation, as the car sets a new course for the Chrysler brand in the UK.”

The Guardian has reported that Addison Lee, the company that urged its drivers to break the law by using bus lanes, has lost its government contract, it has emerged.

The contract with the Department for Work and Pensions covered use by a number of Whitehall departments and will not be renewed when it expires on Monday.

A Cabinet Office spokesperson said: “The only existing cross-government contract with Addison Lee will expire at the end of this month and is not being renewed. The contract has come to its natural end. Departments are using taxis less and reducing travel expenditure, which means we no longer need this type of contract.”

The decision to part company with the firm emerged just a day after Transport for London was granted an injunction in the high court to prevent Addison Lee from instructing its drivers to use bus lanes marked for use by black taxis during the hours when restrictions apply.
Mr Justice Eder also instructed the private hire company not to repeat an offer to pay its drivers’ fines or other penalties. The company agreed to remove a statement from its website exhorting its drivers to disobey the law.

Eyebrows were raised when government ministers continued to use the luxury minicab firm, which has 3,500 vehicles in London, after it told its drivers in a letter on 16 April: “The current bus lane regulations which allow London’s black cabs to use the bus lanes but prohibit private hire from doing so is illegal as it discriminates against … drivers who offer a competing taxi service.”

John Griffin, the company’s chairman, wrote: “You are fully entitled to use the bus lanes,” and promised to “indemnify all Addison Lee drivers from any fines or other liabilities that may result from using the bus lanes”.

Griffin has donated £250,000 to the Conservative party and personally lobbied Philip Hammond, the former secretary of state for transport, to allow his cars to use bus lanes.

Source: The Guardian

Strict emission rules set by LOCOG demand that all vehicles used during the games must have a Co2 figure below 120 grams – therefore the 520d and Active Hybrid versions of the 5-Series will be supplied for transfer and shuttle roles.

Media will be users of the fleet, as well as judges, event organisers, Games officials and staff, ranging from medical officers, IOC photographers and crew to official rights holders and technical delegates.

Richard George, Transport Director, LOCOG said: “From motorcycles to electric vehicles and 4x4s, the requirements of the 2012 fleet are hugely diverse. BMW and MINI have provided a variety of different cars, ideal both for city driving and long distance, to travel to Olympic and Paralympic venues around the country. It was vital that our partner in this field could deliver a one-stop shop solution and meet our sustainability targets. BMW has surpassed our requirements and we are delighted to be working with them.”