9/26/2007 9:41:00 AM Limo service eyeing a refined clientele Executive Limousines kicks off its service in emerging luxury chauffeur market
Ready to Roll: Pictured, the Lexus LS 406L sedan. Executive Limousines’ owner David Durham started up his luxury chauffeur service last week, using two of these vehicles as limousines.
Whether you're a powerful lawyer, a corporate executive, or you're getting married, there's a new way to get around the island and luxury and style.
Businessman and Yhoshi Corporation owner David Durham last week brought two limousines to the island, and has kicked off his new Executive Limousines chauffeur service.
And so far, the demand is there; he's already got chauffeurs driving high-end clients around in his two Lexus LS 406L sedans.
"These cars are state of the art," he said. "They have automatic parking - you hit a button and they parallel park - sonar, a camera for reversing, voice operated commands, GPS. Everything is automated."
And those amenities are just for the driver.
Passengers can expect to find all the comforts of a limo, including premium, spacious seating and a mini bar - in case you fancy a glass of champaign to complement the ride.
The vehicles, which cost "in the couple of hundreds of thousands of dollars" according to Mr. Durham, are not the Lincoln stretched types you imagine when you think of a limo, but rather the Lexus LS 406L luxury sedan.
Getting limos of any size to Bermuda took some time, Mr. Durham said.
Legislation allowing such vehicles to the island had to first be put in place, then businesses wanting to get in to the limousine business had to have the several hundred thousand dollars necessary to not only purchase the cars, but have them specially imported to Bermuda.
"I've been looking to get into the limo business for 25 years," he said. "I've finally been allowed ... because Lexus doesn't import to Bermuda, it took about six months to get the cars here."
Emerging market
Mr. Durham is currently the only limo operator on the island, but that's expected to change very soon.
He's aware of other businesspeople (who he didn't name) who are said to be also in the process of importing limos to the island - something that will no doubt result in an emerging luxury chauffeur market in Bermuda.
"I think [competition] is healthy. You can shop around .. it's healthy in business, and I think the need is there," he said.
Mr. Durham said taxi dispatchers here aren't threatened by the emergence of a limo service.
"They've given me their blessing, the guys up top," he said. "I haven't spoken to individual cab drivers, but I don't see it as a threat.
"The clientele I'm aiming for, they can catch a cab, but even if it's a brand new taxi, it's still a taxi."
And unlike taxis, you can't flag down the limo to catch a ride; it's by appointment only, Mr. Durham said.
Drivers of these vehicles have to be licensed limo drivers. His one full-time and two part-time drivers had to get special licenses from TCD before becoming chauffeurs.
Executive Limousines charges $125 per hour, with a minimum of two hours for the service.
He says they're a perfect way for executives to get around, or for a bride and groom or a couple who has just graduated high school - any special occasion.
"When you get to the elite ... the Lexus's and the Mercedes ... they're a cut above," he said.
Reader Comments
Posted: Friday, September 28, 2007
Comment by:
FELECIA GARNETT
Just a note of correction. The vehicle in which you are referencing is in fact the Lexus LS460 L not Lexus LS406 L. Lexus does not make a LS406. Thank you.
Posted: Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Comment by:
Patricia Ann Taggett
About nineteen years ago I rented a limo to take my son to airport here in Toronto. It was a special occassion as he would be in Asia when he reached his 21st birthday.
My sincere congratulations to Mr. Durham, and all the others who will join in offering luxury limousine service in Bermuda.
I do hope that the service will be extended for a wide range of reasons from bridal parties to graduating students or a wonderful way to send off or pick up a very special person at the airport.
Posted: Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Comment by:
Still learnin
I hope everyone starts importing these cars - two is just not enough, they are so luxurious, smart, they even have a 4.6-liter V8 engine Wow!!! (so much for size linits...) Should get you up top of Knapton Heel real quick!!!
Take me too the airport and make it snappy!!!
