RSSLimo News | San Francisco Travel Blog - Part 10
Study Finds Toyota Prius Preferred By Wealthy Californians
A recent study conducted by car-price-information company TrueCar.com cross-referenced tax data and auto registrations in California’s ten wealthiest zip codes and found some surprising results. The website based its research on more than 1,000 tax returns in each of the ten zip codes and found that Toyota Prius hybrids ranked very favorably with luxury Mercedes-Benz models as the most popular cars with rich buyers.
TrueCar.com analyst Kristen Andersson suggested that a new segment of the car market may be emerging, the eco-luxury segment.
"For affluent buyers who live in places where environmental concerns reign supreme, the Toyota Prius is the ultimate status symbol in eco-luxury," she said in a recent interview.
How popular are Toyota Prius hybrids? Consider that Prius hybrids are the most popular vehicle in Century City, which is California’s fifth-wealthiest zip code, where residents report an average income of $751,000 per year. The next three most popular cars owned by people in that zip code are Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedans, C-Class sedans and BMW 328 sedans, respectively. Closer to our base in San Francisco is Ross, CA, the tenth-wealthiest zip code in the state, where residents earn an average of $497,000 annually. The Prius reigns supreme in Ross also, followed by Mercedes E-Class and GL-Class sedans, respectively.
Car buyers from all income levels have turned the Toyota Prius hybrid into one of the best sellers in the country. Through the first seven months of 2012, Toyota has nearly doubled Prius sales over the same period the previous year with nearly 143,000 hybrids sold.
Here at NLS Limo, we understand why Prius hybrids are so popular. They may not be as roomy or comfortable as the luxury vehicles in our fleet, but they are very reliable, consume very little fuel and are perfect for running errands in the Bay Area. If you are one of the many people in the Bay Area who doesn’t own a car but likes to rent one occasionally for day trips, shopping and other uses, call us today at 800-339-8936 to ask about our San Francisco Prius Hybrid rentals. Our Prius rentals are very affordable and are perfect for getting around the city when you need your own transportation for a morning, afternoon or the whole day!
New 2013 Cadillac XTS Sedan Expected to Become the New Standard for Luxury Sedan Rentals
Cadillac recently released details about their much-anticipated new XTS sedan, and we’re pretty excited about it. Regular readers of our blog know that we love all kinds of cars from the newest models to vintage classics, but we are understandably especially fond of luxury cars. The new Cadillac XTS is not built to be the fastest luxury car on the road, and it won’t hold a corner at speed like a Lotus or Ferrari. The new XTS is simply designed to be one of the most comfortable rides on the road and provide creature comforts usually found in much more expensive luxury sedans.
The new XTS represents Cadillac moving in a bold, new direction, as it will be the first Cadillac sedan that isn’t powered by a V-8 engine since 1914. The front wheel drive XTS features a 3.6-liter direct-injection 24-valve V-6 rated to produce 304 horsepower governed by a silky smooth 6-speed automatic transaxle. As we mentioned, this Caddy is about comfort. The chassis features MacPherson struts and coil springs in the front for comfort and control, and the independent rear suspension uses an H-arm configuration on both sides in combination with air springs. The shocks employ the latest magnetic-ride-control technology, which very effectively smoothes out the rough spots on road surfaces and helps prevent roll when taking corners.
Moving inside, the XTS sets the standard for safety as well as luxury and comfort. No less than ten airbags are placed throughout the cabin to protect driver and passengers. The interior sports a clean, uncluttered look dominated by real leather and brushed aluminum accents, and the dash is refreshingly free of unnecessary knobs and buttons. Instead, the focus in on Cadillac’s intuitive CUE info/entertainment system located in the center. Taking design and function cues from popular smartphones and tablet computers, users can control the CUE system with gestures and swipes to use the entertainment, navigation, Bluetooth and sound system controls.
Speaking of tablets, new XTS owners will receive an iPad loaded with software that allows them to quickly learn how to use the CUE system, climate controls and other cutting-edge technology loaded in the XTS. Base models are priced at a very affordable $44,995, but buyers who want the Premium Collection package can expect to pay a bit over $58,000. While buyers’ accountants might balk at the higher price tag, we’re certain that their reservations will be quickly sorted once they buckle up and go for a ride in this lovely car.
Speaking of reservations, if you’re looking for San Francisco Cadillac rentals, we have several models. If you love Cadillacs and are looking for Cadillac rentals in the Bay Area, just give us a call at NLS Limo at 800-339-8936 to reserve yours today! We don’t have a new XTS in our fleet of luxury vehicles yet, but we’re working on it!
SFO Sees Record Number of Passengers in Last Fiscal Year
Officials report that passenger traffic at San Francisco International Airport surged to an all-time high for the fiscal year that ended this past June, with 21.4 million passengers boarding flights at SFO. The record eclipsed the old record of 20.2 million passengers set in 2000, and airport officials hope that this year’s passenger totals will be even better. Officials cited several factors that combined to set the new record, including these:
- Virgin America’s decision to make SFO their base of operations in 2007
- JetBlue, Southwest Airlines and United increasing operations at SFO to counter Virgin America’s move
- Tough economic conditions that prompted airlines to move services from airports in San Jose and Oakland in order to consolidate operations and reduce costs
- Recent upticks in spending and investment by Bay Area residents and businesses
- The renovation of Terminal 2
Chamber of Commerce official Jim Lazarus was delighted to hear about the new record, saying that this is clear evidence that the area economy is improving after a rough stretch.
“Every recent economic indicator has been healthy, from falling commercial vacancy rates to more overseas visitors,” he said. “We’ve risen strongly out of the recession.”
SFO’s plans to expand even further in the next few years could boost passenger numbers further, with Terminals 1 and 3 slated for renovation and expansion.
SFO spokesman Michael McCarron said, “We have to make sure that we have the facilities to meet any kind of passenger boom that could be coming.”
If you’re looking for comfortable, affordable and reliable San Francisco airport transportation, you have come to the right place! We offer a wide range of SFO airport shuttle options for groups of 1 to 61 and above in our vehicles such as these:
- Town cars
- Luxury vans
- Stretch limos
- SUV limos
- Hummer limos
- Limo buses
- Luxury coaches
- Other luxury vehicles
Our Bay Area airport transportation rates are very affordable whether you need an airport shuttle for business, pleasure, group transportation or all of the above! For more information on rates, availability and the wide range of airport shuttle options available, please call us today at 800-339-8936. Call us at NLS Limo to find out for yourself why we are the Bay Area’s premier luxury transportation provider!
Audi’s New A8 Limousine Runs on Diesel But Is Pure Luxury
The latest piece of precision German engineering from the craftsmen at Audi features some surprises but is a fine example of contemporary automotive comfort and design. The new Audi A8 4.2-litre V8 TDI is simply a beautiful car that also happens to be a luxury limousine. The A8’s first surprise is under the hood, where an 8-cylinder diesel engine purrs until the driver gooses the accelerator. The turbo diesel motor responds with a fluid burst of acceleration but remains quiet and well-mannered despite the impressive performance of zero to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds. All that energy is managed by a silky-smooth 8-speed automatic transmission and a finely-tuned suspension that grips the road and holds corners at speed remarkably well for a limousine. Prices for the new A8 begin at a modest $238,500, but there is nothing modest about this limousine.
Moving inside, passengers are treated to an uncommon stillness while on the road. Test drivers commented on the eerie sense of quiet throughout the cabin even when deliberately trying to make the engine roar. Luxury car aficionados say that this new Audi offers the kind of luxuriant silence not often found in cars costing much more. It seems that Audi has positioned the A8 to make a very big impact in this niche of the luxury car market, and, if early indications are correct, they have accomplished their mission.
The A8 is no slouch when it comes to technology, either. The A8 features a state-of-the-art in-car information/navigation/entertainment system that includes the Bang & Olufsen Advanced Sound System, a touchpad with handwriting recognition, wireless access for iPads, iPhones and Android devices, an automotive interface that provides data about fuel consumption, drive train performance and much more.
Designers chose to use aluminum as often as possible for fenders, door panels and other exterior features in order to keep weight down and performance high. Safety equipment includes a pre-sense system that provides nighttime avoidance assistance by recognizing objects in the roadway, night vision amplification, adaptive cruise control and many other features.
Many of our staffers are already begging us to add an Audi A8 limo to our fleet of San Francisco limousines, and we are certainly enticed by the idea of adding a limo this beautiful to our collection. If and when we do add one, it will be our pleasure to pass this information along to our readers for sure. Until then, we still have the Bay Area’s best selection of stretch limousines, SUV limos, party buses and other luxury transportation options. For more information about rates and availability, just give us at NLS Limo a call today at 800-339-8936!
Students Create Stretch Limousine Out of Dacia Duster
Few folks here in the U.S. have seen a Dacia Duster. This crossover SUV was launched by Romanian automaker Dacia (Automobile Dacia is the official name) late in 2009, and few, if any, Dacias can be found on roadways here in the U.S. However, our never-ending quest to bring you news about all kinds of limousines, custom limos and automotive oddities recently uncovered a Dacia Duster that has been converted into a SUV limousine. This custom SUV limo is the product of a team of 23 automotive engineering students in Dacia’s Engineering Projects Auto Program.
The team began the project by cutting a new Dacia Duster in half and adding 59 inches of contoured sheet metal and other materials to create a limo that now measures more than 19 feet in length. The Dacia limo features a sleek matte black finish accented by a polished aluminum strip etched with the Dacia logo that hangs behind the front doors. Inside, the limo features four captain’s chairs, a flat-screen television, three huge sunroofs, track lighting, plush leather seats, a tablet computer dock and other amenities.
It may be somewhat Spartan by current luxury limousine standards, but it is certainly an ambitious project that will help these students become the next generations of limousine innovators and craftspeople. Since the Dacia limo is a one-of-a-kind customization, we don’t have one for our guests to rent, but we do have plenty of other San Francisco SUV limousine options, including these:
- Hummer SUV Limos
- Ford Excursion Limos
- Ford Expedition Limos
- Cadillac Escalade Limos
- Lincoln Navigator Limos
- VIP Vans
- Executive Limousine Buses
- Many other luxury options
If you’re looking for luxury SUV limos in the Bay Area and want a wide selection to choose from, we have you covered. Add in our superb customer service and our affordable rates, and you have a San Francisco SUV limousine rental experience that can’t be beat! For information about each of our limousine options, rates and availability, call us at NLS Limo today at 800-339-8936.
Mercedes Announces Plans to Retire Maybach Brand
Mercedes-Benz, the legendary automaker now owned by conglomerate Daimler AG, recently announced that they are accelerating their plans to phase out and retire the Maybach brand due to disappointing sales. Mercedes initially announced their plans to retire the ultra-luxurious Maybach brand in 2013, but the Maybach 57 and 63 models have already been discontinued, and Mercedes has stopped taking new orders for them.
Few except serious car lovers and collectors remember the previous Maybach brand. Maybach Manufaktur was a luxury automaker based in Stuttgart that was started by Wilhelm Maybach in the early 1900s. They crafted custom automobiles for wealthy European clients until World War II, when production shifted to making motors for airships and rail cars. After the war, the brand languished until Mercedes revived it in the early 2000s in response to other ultra-luxury brands owned by rivals BMW (Rolls-Royce) and Volkswagen AG (Bentley.) However, despite sales forecasts that promised steady growth, Maybach models never sold in the volume Mercedes needed to sustain production, and now the proud Maybach brand will be retired again. Mercedes plans to add a stretch version of their ultra-luxury S-Class sedans to fill that niche.
We are saddened to hear that there will be no more new Maybach models. Regular readers of our blog know how much we love cars of all kinds, especially high-end luxury cars, and the sleek, graceful lines of Maybach automobiles are a treat for the eyes. We don’t have any Maybachs in our fleet of San Francisco luxury car rentals, but we do have some very comfortable and respectable alternatives:
- Mercedes S500 Luxury Sedans
- Executive L Model Lincoln Town Car Sedans
- Vintage Rolls-Royce Limousines (including a convertible!)
- Stretch Limousines
- SUV Limos
- Other luxury options
If you’re looking for luxury car rentals in the Bay Area, we have a lot to offer, and each is available at surprisingly affordable rates. Our superb staff of mechanics lovingly maintains each model, and they are all immaculately clean inside and out. So, the next time you need a San Francisco luxury car rental for a day or a week or even longer, just give us a call at NLS Limo at 800-339-8936 to make a reservation!
Charter Bus Service Strands Track Team at School
A high school track team in Gaithersburg, Maryland, that was heading to a track meet was left standing in the school’s parking lot recently while waiting for a bus charter that never arrived. The Firebirds Club track team claims they hired a charter bus through a company called Charter Bus-R-Us that charged them $9,000 to take them to two track meets at Duke University. The trip to the first meet went without a hitch, and the athletes, coaches and their parents eagerly looked forward to the next charter. However, when the 90 kids, coaches and parents needed transportation to the next meet, they were left standing in the school parking lot with no way to get to the competition. After trying to call Charter Bus-R-Us and not getting any response, they found another bus charter company at the last minute that transported everyone to the meet and back again, but it cost organizers another $8,400.
Sadly, the Firebirds track team was not the only group to be left stranded by Charter Bus-R-Us. Last January, some college students in Florida paid Charter Bus-R-Us $18,000 to take them to a "Right to Life" march in Washington, D.C. The bus company cashed their check but didn’t show up to transport their group, and the group was understandably very upset.
One of the marchers stranded that day is Jennifer Davidson. She echoed the sentiments of many of her friends and colleagues when she said, "I was completely shocked. I couldn’t believe someone would take advantage of us and take our money like that."
Unfortunately, a bit of online investigation could have prevented both groups from being stranded by this unscrupulous bus company. Charter Bus-R-Us has an "F" rating from the Better Business Bureau, in addition to complaints filed in Maryland, Virginia and now, we assume, Florida.
We blog about unethical California limousine services quite a bit to raise awareness about the problem and protect people from being victimized by these illegal operators. Sadly, it seems that there are unethical bus charter companies as well, but the vast majority of operators are ethical businesspeople. We ought to know, as we also provide bus charter services in the Bay Area. We make sure that our coach buses are properly licensed, insured and maintained so that each guest can enjoy a safe, comfortable and affordable time on board. The next time you need a San Francisco charter bus to transport a group of people, please give us a call at NLS Limo at 800-339-8936, and we’ll take care of the rest. We will show up on time, every time, and provide comfortable and very affordable results, not excuses.
San Francisco Officials Looking to Simplify Current Parking Program
San Francisco’s residential parking program has been in place for more than 35 years, but city officials are considering a major overhaul to make the system work better for everyone. The current model is quite convoluted, with 27 different parking zones of different sizes across the city. Initially designed to keep weekday commuters from other parts of the Bay Area from clogging residential streets, the current system allows permit holders to park on city streets for 72 hours without having to move their vehicles. The success of the program has been mixed over the years. It does discourage out-of-town commuters from monopolizing already-scarce street parking for days on end, but it also penalizes city car owners who use their vehicles infrequently.
The program is regulated by the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), which is exploring new ways to streamline and simplify the program. Under the current system, the only way for a neighborhood to establish their own residential parking zone and protect limited parking spaces is to petition the city. This is a prolonged process, and, over time, it has created an odd patchwork of zones that really don’t work well for anyone, especially San Franciscans. Some zones only affect one side of the street in some neighborhoods, while others cover nearly every street in a zone, making it very difficult for residents without access to off-street parking.
Sonali Bose, the SFMTA’s chief financial officer, acknowledged that the current system is unsustainable.
“Right now, we just have a hodgepodge of different zones,” Bose said. “As the parking management entity of San Francisco, we should be proactive about establishing more strategic residential zones.”
Bose and the SFMTA are working with city planners and neighborhood groups to find a better solution than the current model, a process that is expected to take at least two years.
Here at NLS Limo, we believe that we have a viable alternative to our city’s parking woes. Rent a San Francisco limousine, party bus, cable car or other luxury vehicle from our fleet, and leave the parking fees and hassles to us! Whether you are nightclubbing with friends in a party bus or enjoying an intimate evening for two in one of our stretch limos, we have a luxury ground transportation option that is comfortable and affordable and makes getting around the city fun and easy. If you’re heading into the city with friends and family or you’re a San Franciscan who only needs a car every once in a while, call us at NLS Limo today at 800-339-8936 and forget about parking!
Car Customization Specialists Finish Ferrari With Leather Exterior
Dartz Motorz Company, a luxury car customization company based in Latvia, recently announced the completion of their latest project: a $200,000 Ferrari coupe sheathed in a sleek leather exterior. Dartz is notoriously protective of their clients’ anonymity, but they say that they crafted this automotive oddity for a wealthy client on the French Riviera. The Ferrari F430 project took three craftsmen 16 days to complete, and while it is certainly an unusual look, we have to say that it looks very nice.
Dartz is owned by Leonard Yankelovich, who has built a very lucrative business customizing cars for owners with unusual tastes, including a gold-plated Prombons SUV for film star Sasha Baron Cohen and a $1.5 million SUV with whale skin seats.
Yankelovich was very pleased with the leather-clad Ferrari, as was the client. He said, “One of our very rich customers from the Cote d’Azur wanted a leather exterior and knew we could deliver. It took three of my staff 16 working days to apply the leather and finish. He was more than happy when he picked it up.”
Yankelovich dispelled rumors that his crew had actually used vinyl for the project. Critics said that leather would be a very impractical finish, as it would not be able to withstand the elements and quickly lose its sheen. Countering their assertions, Yankelovich maintains that his crew used real leather, but hinted that they had used “something in-between” to produce a more lasting finish. He would not reveal the price tag for the unique customization but said that the Ferrari was an example of the craftsmanship and inventiveness of the artisans on his staff.
We really enjoy reports about unique car customizations like this, as we are car lovers and have our own craftsmen who customize our limousines, party buses, luxury coaches and other luxury vehicles. While we do not currently have any Ferraris in our fleet of San Francisco luxury car rentals, we do offer several Mercedes, Lincolns, Cadillacs, luxury SUVs and much more.
If you’re looking for luxury car rentals in the Bay Area, just give us a call at 800-339-8936 for more information about the different models, rates and availability. Our rates are affordable, our customer service sets the standard in our industry and we regularly add new vehicles to our selection. Call us at NLS Limo today to see how fun and affordable our luxury car rentals truly are!
Party Bus Altercation Results in One Arrest, Five Injuries
One man has been arrested and five people were injured after a recent altercation in Surrey, British Columbia, involving a driver and the passengers of a party bus. A spokesperson with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police told reports that the altercation began when the party bus carrying 50 guests pulled into a gas station. They said that as the party bus was being fueled, some inebriated guests got off the bus and began harassing a motorist who was trying to drive into the station.
“This confrontation quickly escalated violently and was fuelled by a toxic mix of alcohol, testosterone, and poor judgment,” said Sgt. Drew Grainger. "This altercation led to weapons being brandished by both parties including edged weapons, bear spray, and a piece of lumber."
The ensuing altercation injured five people, including the chauffeur and one guest who suffered stab wounds. Officers arrested the 22-year-old driver of the car and charged him with assault, and the RCMP is also considering charges against some of the bus passengers.
Sgt. David MacDonald said that officers had a difficult time determining why the altercation occurred and how many people were involved.
“Anybody who was at (the) scene says it was a big mess, a really big kerfuffle and we are going to have to try and figure it out during the daytime hours to get a better grasp on the situation,” he said.
Sad to say, this is the sort of nonsense that gives party buses in San Francisco and across the country a bad reputation. Similar incidents here in the Bay Area have caused club owners and some San Francisco city officials to ask state lawmakers to consider changes to California party bus laws that currently exempt chauffeurs from being responsible for drunken guests. These changes are currently being reviewed in the Senate and are expected to pass.
If and when these changes are passed into law, they won’t change our policy towards underage or excessive drinking and rowdy behavior. We want our Bay Area party bus guests to have a great time, but we also want to make sure that everyone gets home safely. That is and always has been our policy and first priority. So, if you’re looking for a San Francisco party bus rental company that takes the safety of their guests seriously while providing a fun, festive and affordable luxury experience, call us at NLS Limo at 800-339-8936 to reserve your Bay Area party bus today!
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Great customer service, great prices, and always a lot of fun.
I've used Nationwide 3 or 4 times now and have not once been disappointed. Great customer service, great prices, and always a lot of fun. Staff always helps me pick the best option for my group and our budget.