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Limousine Service Suspends Wedding Limo Service to Avoid Serving Same-Sex Couples
A limousine company in Annapolis, Maryland has stopped offering wedding limousine service altogether to avoid serving same-sex couples. Discover Annapolis Tours recently announced that they would discontinue this part of their business as of Jan. 1, 2013, when Maryland’s same-sex marriage law goes into effect. Matt Grubbs, owner of Discover Annapolis Tours, told reporters that he decided to stop offering wedding limousine services and would forego the $50,000 expected revenue from renting wedding limos. He told reporters that he preferred to stop renting wedding limos altogether instead of “compromising his Christian convictions when same-sex marriages become legal in Maryland in less than a week.”
From a legal standpoint, Grubbs is asking for larger problems than simply lost revenue. Limousine services in other markets that have refused wedding limo service to same-sex couples have been the targets of discrimination lawsuits and have lost. However, some legal experts say that Grubbs’ company will be somewhat shielded from discrimination suits, as they are avoiding providing limo services to all weddings.
Same-sex marriage is not yet legal in California, but it is very likely to become legal in the near future. Whether that day comes sooner or later, it won’t change our policy on providing San Francisco wedding limousines to happy couples. It is and always has been our great honor to help all couples celebrate this important milestone in their lives. Mr. Grubbs can elect to offer – or not offer – limousine services to weddings and other types of gatherings as he so chooses. It’s his company and his prerogative. However, we think that he will find that this decision will cost him a great deal more than $50,000 in lost revenue every year. After all, money is a pretty poor unit of measure for most things, particularly most of the things that have real value in life.
If you’re planning an upcoming wedding and you would like to reserve one or more of our San Francisco wedding limousines, party buses, classic cars, luxury coaches or other luxury vehicles, call us today at 800-339-8936. We offer the Bay Area’s best selection of luxury vehicles at the best rates and also offer special money-saving wedding packages! For more information about our wedding limo rental options, rates, availability and all other questions, please give us a call at NLS Limo today, and let one of our reservation specialists make this part of your wedding planning fast and simple!
Mercedes Looks to Regain Lead With New Luxury SUVs
Since they lost their spot as the top seller of luxury vehicles in the world more than ten years ago, legendary automaker Mercedes-Benz has been on a quest to regain that lofty position. Mercedes has been devising a strategy and now believes that their new lineup of luxury sports utility vehicles will help them achieve their goal. In 2011, they launched a new M-Class SUV, a new C-Class coupe and a refreshed C-Class sedan, and sales for the first few months of 2012 suggest that they may be poised to overtake archrival BMW for the top spot.
Rebecca Lindland, an analyst with researcher IHS Automotive, had complimentary words for the venerable German automaker.
“Mercedes has upped its game,” she said. “The refreshes and redesigns they’ve done on their sedans are going to be very nicely complemented by the work they’ve done on their trucks.”
In August, Mercedes will unveil their newest luxury SUV, an updated GLK compact SUV. In September, their new GL-Class large SUV will grace showrooms all over the world. Mercedes sold 531,382 during the first five months of 2012, putting it third overall in luxury vehicle sales globally. BMW sold 607,207 vehicles and was followed closely by Audi, which sold 600,200 luxury models.
Steve Cannon, chief executive officer of Mercedes-Benz USA, said that he has been pleased with sales thus far for 2012 but was reluctant to forecast that his company would finish first overall this year.
“We are outpacing all of our competitors, we’ve got great new products to launch,” he said. “If at the end of the year the luxury sales crown happens naturally, that’s great.”
Automotive insiders have singled out Mercedes’ new GLK for special mention. They say the nearly 1,000 new parts for the model have given it a much-needed and classy makeover.
Lindland was especially smitten by the new circular chrome air vents in the redesigned interior of the GLK.
“You don’t really appreciate all of the differences until you’ve looked inside,” she said. “Who knew that you could fall in love with vents?”
We knew. We’re crazy about cars, especially luxury vehicles, and we love details like chrome air vents that complement a well designed and executed interior. A big part of the luxury vehicle experience is the feeling that you get when you step inside and go for a ride. We do not yet offer any of the new Mercedes SUVs in our fleet of San Francisco limousines (we’re working on it!), but we do offer our very lovely S500 luxury sedans for discriminating guests for business travel, airport transportation, VIP transportation and other applications. For more information about our Mercedes sedans or any of our other Bay Area luxury transportation options, call us at NLS Limo today at 800-339-8936.
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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.