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Nearly 100 members of UMA participated in its 2016 Capitol Hill DaysWashington, D.C. — Nearly 100 UMA members took to Capitol Hill April 12-13 to address the industry’s most pressing issues.
Members met with their U.S. House and Senate representatives to address the Lease & Interchange Rule and the Safety Fitness Determination Rule, noting the negative impact those regulations would have on their customers and business.
In a personal note to this year’s participants, UMA President and CEO Victor Parra commended UMA members: “On behalf of a grateful industry, the UMA Board of Directors and staff, thank you for a job well done.”
This year’s participants literally traveled from all four corners of the nation to lobby for their industry and its most pressing issues.
“The 2016 UMA Capitol Hill Day was highly productive”, noted UMA Vice President & COO Ken Presley. “Our members conducted well over 400 individualized appointments.”
The May issue of Chauffeur Driven will have expanded coverage of this legislative event.
The association is currently planning its 2017 Capitol Hill Days. The annual UMA Motorcoach EXPO will be held Feb. 27-March 2, 2017, in St. Louis, Mo.
Visit uma.org for more information.
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A Springfield Coach Executive SprinterSpringfield, Mo. — Springfield Coach Group recently announced that it has achieved MasterUpfitter 2015-2016 status from Mercedes-Benz. This certification places Springfield Coach in an elite network of expert builders that work within the high standards and guidelines of Mercedes-Benz.
“We’re very excited about being part of the program,” said Gary Spaniak III, Springfield Coach’s co-owner and vice president of marketing. “It’s our hope that it brings us new opportunities to work with more Mercedes dealerships.”
Spaniak also believes that Springfield Coach’s customers benefit from the status, as it provides buyers with peace of mind.
“An advantage is that the Mercedes-Benz MasterUpfitter program is federally regulated. Customers can feel safe that we’re operating strictly within safety laws. Dealerships and private buyers will feel comfortable that they’re buying a product that Mercedes stands behind.”
Visit limoland.com for more information.
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Hoekstra Commercial Products Manager Steve BolinTrussville, Ala. — McSweeney Designs, a fully approved MasterUpfitter for Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, recently announced the expansion of its preferred dealer network to include Hoekstra Transportation of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Under the terms of this agreement, Hoekstra will now represent the entire McSweeney Designs lineup of upscale, Sprinter-based Exec Lounge and Luxury Shuttle Bus products through its various sales channels in the Michigan and Ohio territories.
“I am blown away by the fit and finish and shear luxury that McSweeney Designs brought to the table,” said Steve Bolin, commercial products manager for Hoekstra Transportation at the signing of the official dealer agreement. “Our customers are having the same reaction. These high-end shuttles fit perfectly into our growing corporate and luxury market segments and compliment our wide range of products we represent. Team Hoekstra is excited to have this line and to be a strategic partner with McSweeney Designs.”
Kevin Kropf, eastern region sales manager for McSweeney Designs echoed that sentiment from the manufacturer’s perspective: “With our two companies’ shared commitments to delivering the highest possible quality and value to our customers; and with Hoekstra’s stellar reputation in the industry for providing top notch customer service before, during, and after the sale; we look forward to a long a mutually prosperous relationship with Mark Hoekstra, Steve Bolin, and the entire Hoekstra Transportation team.”
Building upon the positive momentum established by its first wave of deliveries to satisfied clients, Hoekstra will stock a range of McSweeney Designs Sprinter-based products for quick delivery. As a preferred dealer, Hoekstra will also be able to leverage the strengths of McSweeney Designs’ world class, in-house design, engineering, and build teams to assist their clients in the development of custom tailored upfit solutions to uniquely suit their own upscale transportation needs, according to Kropf.
Visit mcsweeneydesigns.com or hoekstratransportation.com for more information.
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