PRESS RELEASE
Mercury Mariner Hybrid First in
US for Livery Industry
Burlington, MA - February 4, 2008 - Limousine Eighteen, Ltd., a professional ground transportation company, announced today that they brought a hybrid SUV into their fleet of livery vehicles. As the country becomes wiser about fuel usage as well as pollution emission control, many consumers have begun to make the effort to go green with purchases of hybrid vehicles. On the business side, a much smaller number of hybrid cars have been used for professional transportation, and today only one has been sold at the SUV level.
"Going green in our business seemed like the logical way to move with our fleet, given that the decision is based on ecologically sound data," said Marc Shpilner, president and CEO, Limousine Eighteen. "If we are going to start the movement as consumers, then we owe it to the environment to think of more ways to make a difference at the work place. Recycling paper, soda cans, more efficient light bulbs, etc. are a great start, but we wanted to go farther. This year, we started discussing getting a hybrid SUV for our fleet."
The 2008 Mercury Mariner Hybrid comfortably holds 3-4 people plus luggage.
The vehicle was purchased through Acton Lincoln Mercury. "We have
been providing Limousine Eighteen with commercial vehicle products for
almost 20 years! Limousine Eighteen is a very well managed company and
we have always enjoyed doing business with them. We watched them grow
and prosper in the Boston metro area as a result of their commitment
to excellence. Their decision to adopt a green posture by placing a
special livery package hybrid Mariner into their fleet is just more
evidence of their forward thinking. Limousine Eighteen has always been
on the cutting edge of the newest trends in the professional transportation
business. They should be applauded for their environmentally-aware initiatives,"
commented Coleman Hoyt, President, Acton Lincoln Mercury.
"The Mercury Mariner Hybrid livery package is the first OEM-sponsored hybrid livery package in the industry," stated Doug Walczak, Limousine & Livery Manager for Ford Motor Company's North American Fleet, Lease, and Remarketing Operations. "It demonstrates Ford Motor Company's innovative commitment to the livery industry. The Mariner Hybrid livery package provides performance, roominess, and cargo capacity that is unmatched by competitors. We commend Marc for his innovative commitment to the environment."
"I found the SUV to be just as luxurious in terms of comfort, with the leather interior and smooth ride, as I have had over the years in the regular gas-fueled Town Cars. Helping the environment is an added plus to me, as a customer, and I appreciate that Limousine Eighteen took this risk with their business. We hope other transportation companies will follow Marc's lead," noted Rainer Gawlick, VP of Worldwide Marketing for SolidWorks, Concord, MA.
Limousine Eighteen expects to add a second hybrid Mercury Mariner to the fleet in 2008.
About Limousine Eighteen, Ltd.
Founded in 1987, Limousine Eighteen is a luxury ground transportation
service company dedicated to keeping clients around the world "on
the move." Services include airport services, hourly car service,
road shows, and management of ground transportation for hundreds of
attendees at corporate, sports, and entertainment events. Longtime accounts
include Progress Software, Cognos, SolidWorks, Cytyc, and Sun Microsystems.
With nearly 20 years of continued revenue and fleet growth, Limousine
Eighteen, Ltd. is one of New England's leading sources for professional
ground transportation. Please visit www.limo18.com for more information
or call (800) 562-8808.