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2023 Mercedes EQE
The roster of electric vehicles from Mercedes-Benz is growing as the luxury German automaker is expected to release the EQE sedan and EQS SUV for the 2023 model year. The EQS, a sedan based roughly on the popular S-Class, is already available for 22MY. We also recently wrote about the upcoming EQB SUV, which can be read here. The EQ moniker is part of its electric vehicle line delineation.
2023 Mercedes EQS SUV
Information has been somewhat scant on these models, judging from the Mercedes-Benz USA website, but details have been leaked online to various automotive sites as well as press releases from the OEM. Both vehicles are slated for a late 2022 release. Range capacity is estimated and will vary based on optional equipment, terrain (flatter-than-a-pancake versus mountains and hills), temperature, and weather.
Interior of EQS SUV with Hyperscreen display
The EQS SUV is essentially a sports utility version of the EQS sedan. Like the EQS, the SUV is expected to have the Hyperscreen, a three-panel (although it gives the illusion of being seamless) information center that stretches from the driver to the passenger window and is part of the MBUX, or Mercedes-Benz User Experience. It shares the length of the sedan (201.8 inches), the SUV has an anticipated range of up to 370 miles, besting the sedan at 350 miles. The EQS SUV has a rumored max 74 cubic feet of cargo capacity (presumably with the rear seats folded), seating for up to seven, and a 107.8 kWh battery that can DC fast-charge to 80 percent in just over 30 minutes. No word yet on price, but based on its sedan counterpart, the EQS SUV is likely to ring it over $100,000.
Smaller and more economical, the EQE is akin to an E-Class sedan in the EQ lineup. Boasting an even better estimated range—up to 410 miles—the EQE has been called “the downsized EQS” by the automotive press. And early reports show that it does have a lot of available features, including the popular Hyperscreen (with Augmented Reality Navigation) and ambient lighting. It’s about 5 inches shorter than the EQS (196.6 inches) and has seating for up to five. Estimated horsepower clocks in at 288 hp and has a 90 kWh battery. Early rumors have price estimates around $70,000.
As these models are not yet available for sale, the information is subject to change.
Visit mbusa.com for more information.
[08.23.22]
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The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the world’s leading corporate travel organization, recently held their 2022 convention in San Diego this past August 14-17 with a reported 4,600+ registered attendees descending upon the West Coast for the four-day event. Working from the theme of (Re)connect, (Re)Imagine, and (Re)Create, the goal of the conference was to represent the evolution of the travel industry, as well as the future of work, sustainability, and the corporate trend of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Those concepts were ever-present throughout the event, including the association’s first Sustainability Pavilion where thought leaders offered their advice and debates for greener efforts in travel during their aptly named Green Talks.
In addition to the education lineup (90+ sessions with more than 300 speakers), Green Talks, and exhibit floor, the association held a 5K run/walk; announced election results and discussed bylaw reviews; released several reports including GBTA Business Travel Index™ 2022-2026 (made possible by MasterCard), The Evolution of Travel Program Technology, and GBTA-CWT Global Business Travel Forecast 2023; and hosted the standing-room-only WINiT by GBTA Summit, which was geared toward engaging and inspiring women in the industry.
“I’m delighted that we have been able to bring the industry together at the convention to celebrate achievements, recognize our members and volunteers, and build momentum for the future of business travel. Our industry is back after a few challenging years and the value of the networking, collaboration, and learnings gained from being together in-person cannot be underestimated,” said CEO GBTA Suzanne Neufang. “And there’s more to look forward to with our other GBTA events coming up around the globe including in Mexico City in October, Brussels in November, and Bangkok in December.”
The GBTA Convention has long been a favorite of our own industry, and about a dozen operators exhibited at the event including BLS, A1A Global Ground, Dav El/BostonCoach, EmpireCLS, RMA Worldwide, Mundi Limos, U.S. Sedan Service, Sunny’s Limousine, 305 Transportation Services, La Jolla Star Transportation, NYC Limo VIP, and Sixt.
Neufang was also center stage as the association revealed its new branding. In a process that took nine months and was conducted with collaboration between an external firm, GBTA leadership, and volunteers from around the world, Neufang noted that the new rebranding—which includes an updated logo and website—connects the brand closer to their global purpose while continuing their pillar missions of community, learning, and advocacy. The association also debuted its new tagline, “Many voices, one purpose,” to embody the international travel community that they represent. You can view the video from the announcement here.
The association is also busy planning several other events leading up to its 2023 Convention in Dallas next August 13-15, including GBTA reconecta CDMX: Educacion y Networking in Mexico City (October 6), GBTA Sustainability Summit in Brussels (November 8), GBTA Europe also in Brussels (November 8-10), and the PATA and GBTA APAC Travel Summit in Bangkok (December 8-9). Other events are available by clicking here.
Those who were unable to attend the conference can access highlights on-demand via Convention Plus, which includes five Main Stage sessions, five Collaboratory Spotlights, and 15 education sessions.
Visit gbta.org for more information about the association, or convention.gbta.org for more highlights from the show.
[08.23.22]
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MLOA upcoming speaker Charlie Robertson
The educational programming of the Minority Limousine Operators of America (MLOA) returns on Wednesday, August 24, at 1 p.m. ET for a Zoom webinar entitled Best Practices for Mitigating Liability Exposure. The association will welcome guest speaker Charlie Robertson, an industry risk management expert who will discuss best practices to avoid costly payouts as a result of accidents. The webinar is open to all industry professionals, and can be accessed by clicking here and entering passcode MLOA. This event will also be the August membership meeting, and association updates will be shared with attendees.
In other news, the MLOA has announced that their September membership conference, which was expected to be their first multiday annual event, has been postponed. Currently, there are plans to hold the event in 2023.
The MLOA is a nonprofit organization composed of minority-owned limousine operators, affiliate, and vendor members. In addition providing a forum for member companies to exchange ideas of value to minority–owned businesses, expertise in customer service, employee hiring and other industry related matters, the organization offers educational resources and legislative assistance to its members and acts as a liaison for its members with the many regulatory agencies.
Visit mlooa.org for more information.
[08.22.22]