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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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The CFLA executive board (L to R): Board member Ash Elmahdi of Noble Transportation & Limousines, Vice President Gregg Moulton of Orlando Select Transportation, Secretary Brandy Ollie of Go Platinum Transportation, President Wendy Kleefisch of Brevard Executive Limousine, and board members Sheri Boesch of Network Limousines and Mechelle Wowas-Cappel of Elite Limousine Services (Not pictured: Treasurer Barbara White of VIP Transportation Group and board member Greg Pallie of GNS Transportation Group)
Central Florida — The newly formed Central Florida Livery Association (CFLA) board of directors met for the first time April 14 and are gearing up for the association’s first membership meeting, scheduled for May 10 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at VIP Transportation Group’s facility in Orlando.
The board comprises:
President: Wendy Kleefisch of Brevard Executive Limousine
Vice President: Gregg Moulton of Orlando Select Transportation
Secretary: Brandy Ollie of Go Platinum Transportation
Treasurer: Barbara White of VIP Transportation Group
Board members: Sheri Boesch of Network Limousines, Ash Elmahdi of Noble Transportation & Limousines, Greg Pallie of GNS Transportation Group, and Mechelle Wowas-Cappel of Elite Limousine Services
“I’m so excited and determined and ready to make this happen,” Kleefisch said. “Key players in our market and the industry have been reaching out and supporting us.” She added that AJ Thurber of Grech Motors offered to sponsor the association, with Jeff Brodsly of Chosen Payments, Matthew Clements of PIC, Philip Jagiela of Chauffeur Driven and PALM, and Jennifer Wong of Solutions Marketing as all volunteering their services and assistance to help get the new association up and running. Arthur Messina of Create-A-Card has also donated a logo design and branding efforts to the association.
Kleefisch said that the association premiered at a trade show in Las Vegas this past March, with the NLA also accepting CFLA’s bylaws at that time.
Unlike the rest of Florida’s industry associations, CFLA does not operate under the auspices of Florida Limousine Association, though it certainly has received other members’ support; Kleefisch wanted CFLA to remain open to transportation operations beyond the luxury market so medical transportation, members of the TLPA, and other similar services could benefit from membership—“it’s not just about limos.”
“We invite anyone who is interested in making our industry even better,” Kleefisch said—and has already bolstered association growth by getting Orlando-region transportation giant Mears Global to join.
CFLA was born of a frustration with deregulation in Brevard County, as well as the continued threat of TNCs impeding upon legitimate transportation services.
“We put out a survey that shows 98 percent of Central Florida thinks Uber is a transportation company—even though they keep saying they aren’t—it’s time they’re regulated like we are,” Kleefisch said. “We don’t want deregulation. We are standing untied and will continue banging on legislators’ doors to make our voices heard.”
CFLA will meet the second Tuesday of each month, rotating meeting locales among members’ facilities. For more information about the association, email cfla2016@gmail.com or call 321.360.6090.
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