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Phil Hartz
Longtime dealer and co-CEO of collaborative Acton/SoCal Penske Professional Vehicles Phillip “Phil” Hartz passed away on August 18. He was 63.
Hartz was a “car guy” his entire life and career, starting at a local Boston dealership when he was a student at Boston University in the late ’70s, where he met his future business partner and lifelong friend Coleman Hoyt. Even though he was a service lot attendant, Hoyt said he saw his potential and they became fast friends. He moved on after graduation to work with several national brands, including as a district manager with Ford Motor Company and national field manager with General Motors. His career eventually took him to California where he was the dealer operator and co-owner of the SoCal Penske GM stores, the largest in Southern California.
L to R: Bill Cunningham, Phil Hartz, and Greg Maddock at California’s SoCal Penske dealership (CD cover story January 2015)
Although Hartz’s and Hoyt’s careers diverged, they reconnected about a decade ago when the industry was changing for both of them. Hoyt, then the president of Acton Lincoln Mercury, was facing the dissolution of the Mercury brand; the loss of the industry’s most iconic vehicle, the Town Car; and the potential closure of the Acton dealership where the wildly successful Acton Fleet Sales (run by Vice President & General Manager Bill Cunningham) was located. In a fortuitous move, Hartz and Hoyt launched Acton/SoCal Penske Professional Vehicles in 2012, which gave the industry access to a wide array of fleet vehicles on both coasts.
Lifelong friends Phil Hartz and Coleman Hoyt
Hartz was also a fervent supporter of the Greater California Limousine Association, where he served as a vendor director and frequent host to GCLA events, opening up his dealerships to the association for its popular poker tournament/holiday party. He also was a champion of the chauffeured transportation industry.
Outside the industry, his family said he could be found on a different type of vessel—his boats “Crack Up” and “Fat Daddy.” He is survived by his wife Daisy; daughters Annie and Maggie; grandson Charlie; twin sister Penny; and siblings Jay and Susy.
A celebration of life mass will be held on September 1 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady Queen of Angels Church in Newport Beach, Calif. The family requests that donations be made in Hartz’s name to The Lungevity Foundation in lieu of flowers.
[08.23.21]
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Charleston, S.C.-based SC Express Chauffeured Transportation is pleased to announce the acquisition of Mt. Pleasant Shuttle, also located in Charleston. With this acquisition, which was coordinated by professionals Kristen Carroll and The LMC Groups, CLT Express Livery is now the largest chauffeured transportation operator in the Carolinas with a fleet of more than 90 vehicles.
Bob Bucholtz founded Mt. Pleasant Shuttle in 2002 to serve all facets of ground transportation in the Carolina Lowcountry, including transient clients, airlines, corporate groups, and, of course, weddings. After 19 successful years, Bucholtz decided it was a good time to plan his industry exit and reached out to Jeff and Laura Canady of CLT Express Livery to purchase the company. According to the Canadys, this acquisition aligned perfectly with CLT’s sister companies, including SC Express in Aiken-Augusta and CLT Express Livery in Charlotte, N.C., which service most of the Carolinas and Northern Georgia. Bucholtz retired shortly after in April 2021.
CLT Express Livery owners Laura and Jeff Canady with two of their Cadillac Escalades
The Canadys said that this also makes SC Express the largest operator with the most diverse fleet in the Charleston/Lowcountry area, which includes sedans, SUVs, limousines, and Sprinters, as well as a minicoach and motorcoach division. The company also previously worked with The LMC Groups on several other acquisitions in the past, including Charleston Style Limo in 2016 and Busy Bee Bus and Coach Tours in 2015.
According to the Canadys, Bucholtz made the acquisition process extremely non-invasive, and his clients have appreciated a seamless transition, chiefly enjoying SC Express’ first-class and on-time service with a boutique touch. SC Express Charleston looks forward to continuing to build its client base in the Lowcountry and throughout the Carolina coast.
Visit scexpresscharleston.com and cltexpress.com for more information.
[08.24.21]
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TEMSA, a manufacturer of motorcoaches based in Turkey and sold around the world, has announced that it has increased its capital as it continues a robust showing in exports. The company was acquired by Sabancı Holding and the PPF Group.
TEMSA continues its growth in both domestic and international markets, through the partnership of Sabancı Holding and the PPF Group, in which Skoda Transportation acts as its subsidiary, is reinforcing its capital.
TEMSA’s TS45 Electric Bus
Industry SBU President of Sabancı Holding and Chairman of the Board of Directors of TEMSA Cevdet Alemdar commented: “We are strengthening our capital to have TEMSA attain a stronger and more competitive financial structure in both domestic and foreign markets. Today, TEMSA is a brand that has proven itself in the field of electric buses and autonomous vehicles. We exported our first electric bus to Sweden in recent months. In other words, today, we are selling our electric vehicles that we produce in Adana to a country that has a say in the field of electric vehicle technology in the world; moreover, with its own software and batteries. Skoda Transportation that operates under the roof of our partner PPF Group has substantial global experience in electric transportation solutions. This know-how will pave the way further for TEMSA to expand its product range and markets in the forthcoming period. Hence, we aim to reinforce TEMSA's leadership in new generation electric vehicles and fortify its growth.”
Alemdar noted that TEMSA has been growing in popularity in Europe, especially in Sweden, Belgium, France, and Czechia. In the North American market, TEMSA unveiled its redesigned TS30 motorcoach at the 2021 UMA Expo this past April. According to a press release from UMA, Temsa representatives said that the North American market is one of its growth accelerators and has plans for introducing the TS45 Electric Bus, which was recently developed specifically for the US market.
Ladislav Chvatal, PPF group chief officer for strategic projects, highlighted the synergy between TEMSA and Skoda Transportation in TEMSA’s future growth plans: “PPF Group has invested in TEMSA aiming to utilize its synergies with Skoda Transportation and provide a boost for both companies as they expand on international markets. PPF is therefore delighted that TEMSA and Skoda Transportation have been attracting major customers around the world for its modern and environmentally friendly mass transport solutions. The contribution of Skoda Transportation are electric and hydrogen fuel cell buses.”
Visit temsa.com for more information.
[08.24.21]