Friday, August 4, 2017

The Publications You Receive with NLA Membership


Monday, July 24, 2017

Important Safety Tips for Chauffeurs


The founder and CEO of Riverside, California-based Grech Motors, Ed Grech oversees the company’s development and production of a range of luxury ground transportation vehicles, including its Sprinter and Freightliner series. A frequent sponsor of the National Limousine Association, Ed Grech advocates for continued education within the ground transportation industry. Chauffeurs are key to the success of many transportation companies, so here are some useful safety tips for chauffeurs.

1. Always look ahead – Chauffeurs must provide timely services while offering clients a smooth driving experience. To achieve this, they must look further ahead than most other drivers, allowing them to anticipate and react to potential issues ahead of time.

2. Know your blind spots – Long vehicles have more blind spots than their shorter counterparts and many motorists may not be aware of them. Chauffeurs must exercise caution to avoid accidents in the three key long vehicle blind spots, which are directly behind the vehicle, just behind the vehicle’s side mirrors, and the side that is just ahead of the driver’s seat.

3. Consistent checks – Examine your vehicle prior to every shift, checking the mirrors, horn, and fluid levels. Additionally, pay particular attention to tire pressure and the vehicle’s brakes, especially when carrying extra weight due to luggage or multiple passengers.

Monday, July 17, 2017

Frequently Asked Questions about the NLA’s PAC


Ed Grech draws on more than 30 years of experience in luxury coachbuilding manufacturing industry in his work as the CEO of Grech Motors. Finding continued success through a desire to educate himself and others in the industry, Ed Grech maintains membership to the National Limousine Association (NLA), which operates a Political Action Committee (PAC). Here are some frequently asked questions about the NLA’s PAC.

Q. What is a PAC?
A. A PAC is a special fund that collects contributions from an organization’s members to fund political campaigns in support of candidates, legislation, and ballot initiatives that will benefit the organization’s members.

Q. What is the NLA PAC’s goal?
A. The NLA’s PAC backs political candidates who understand, support, and protect the luxury ground transportation sector. The PAC offers the NLA and its members a stronger voice in Washington.

Q. Who can contribute to the PAC?
A. Anybody in the United States may contribute to the NLA’s PAC, regardless of membership status with the NLA. All contributions are voluntary and cannot exceed $5,000 annually. Further, contributions must come from personal funds, paid via check or credit card, and are not tax-deductible.

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

NLA and NSVRC Raise Awareness of Sexual Assault By Hired Drivers




The responsibilities of Ed Grech, CEO of Grech Motors, includes managing the daily operations and the marketing aspects of the company. Their company manufactures and sells high-end buses and Sprinter vans. Ed Grech also gives back to the automotive community by being a sponsor for organizations like the National Limousine Association (NLA).

In response to an increase of alleged sexual assaults involving ride-hailing apps, National Limousine Association’s Ride Responsibly initiative and the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) are collaborating to help spread awareness. This campaign debuts with an educational video, which will star activist and actress Pamela Anderson.

“The Driving Game!” is a video that aims to educate passengers who use vehicle-hailing apps to be more vigilant, as well as to improve their overall safety. Lighthearted in tone, the Public Service Announcement (PSA) emphasizes one crucial point: Passengers cannot always vet their drivers, but the application’s owners should be able to.

According to Gary Buffo, president of the NLA, their partnership with the NSVRC is crucial in bringing awareness to this problem. Part of their goal is to establish a better nationwide standard when it comes to background checks, including collecting finger prints and requiring drug tests.

The NSRVC produces and distributes resources that advocate stricter regulations to increase rider safety. It collaborates with various associations such as NLA, working to create various awareness campaigns in order to bring these issues to light.

Wednesday, February 8, 2017

The Benefits of Using a Shuttle Bus Service


 


Ed Grech is the founder and CEO of Grech Motors, a manufacturer in the ground transportation industry. With more than 30 years of experience, Ed Grech and his team focus on manufacturing luxury minicoaches for companies who provide shuttle services to clients.

The benefits of using a shuttle bus service are numerous and include the following:

1. Safety. Because shuttle bus drivers are professionals, shuttle service eliminates the risk associated with carpooling.

2. Convenience. A shuttle bus also ensures that all passengers arrive at their destination at the same time. Additionally, reserving a single shuttle saves time that would have otherwise been spent booking multiple vehicles.

3. Amenities. In many cases, hiring a shuttle bus will also give the traveling party access to a number of amenities that can’t be found in cars or public transport. These can include more comfortable seats, power outlets to charge mobile devices, additional storage space, and temperature controls to make long journeys more enjoyable.

4. Affordability. Costs will also be reduced as you are hiring only one vehicle, as opposed to three or four.

Friday, January 27, 2017

Grech Motors' GM40 and GM33 Minicoach Models




A vehicle manufacturer with offices based in Riverside, California, Ed Grech focuses on the production process of luxury minicoaches to meet the needs of high-end travel experience providers. Currently, Ed Grech’s company Grech Motors manufactures seven minicoach models, including the GM40 and the GM33.

The GM40 minicoach is equipped with a 6.7L Cummins diesel engine and an Allison 2500 transmission. Each of the 39 seats in this model features Grech Elite seat furnishings and armrests. The vehicle body is made out of a high-strength steel tube cage with an aircraft-grade aluminum skin. It is also reinforced with fiberglass skirts and a three-quarter-inch composite sub floor made from marine-grade plywood. The GM40’s interior includes 6 LCD monitors for entertainment, overhead luggage racks, and individual reading lights.

The GM33 is built on the Ford F-550 chassis, sharing similar standard features as the GM40 model, which is built on the Freightliner M2 chassis. The slightly smaller GM33, however, has a seating capacity of 28 people with Grech Leggero seats. Four LCD monitors as well as a DVD player are built into this model.

All of Grech Motors’ minicoach models include a 5 year / 100,000 mile structural warranty and a 4 year / 50,000 mile limited warranty.

Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Three Lessons Business Owners Can Draw from Pilots


Grech Motors founder Ed Grech was recently featured in Chauffer Driven, the ground transportation industry’s most widely circulated publication. The article pointed out some of the lessons Ed Grech has drawn from his 10 years of experience as a pilot. Below are a few ways in which flying an aircraft corresponds to running a successful business. 

Just like making business decisions, flying is both an art and a science. Objectivity and quantitative research are vital, but the final choice often comes down to a leader’s carefully honed insight and instinct. 

Keeping calm under pressure is essential in both exercises. Minor miscalculations in flight can result in serious consequences, perhaps even life-threatening ones, yet pilots must stay cool and clear-headed in order to execute their missions successfully. Likewise, a personal career and the livelihood of employees rest on the shoulders of many business owners. They need to navigate investments and major company decisions with keen focus during those demanding moments. 

Trust is a must. It often takes a whole crew to get a plane off the ground. The pilot puts his or her life in the hands of a copilot, air traffic controllers, mechanics, and others. Similarly, as a business grows, it is often essential for an executive to have staff whom he or she trusts implicitly to execute decisions on a day-to-day basis.

Thursday, January 5, 2017

NLA Launches the Ride Responsibly Campaign


Ed Grech is the founder and CEO of Grech Motors, a California-based vehicle manufacturer. To support the luxury ground transportation industry, Ed Grech is also involved with the National Limousine Association (NLA).

The NLA exists as a nonprofit association dedicated to empowering limousine operators, manufacturers, and other small associations. To protect and pursue the interests of the high-end ground transportation industry, NLA gathers educational resources produced by operators from different parts of the globe. Members of the organization are also committed to professional, responsible, safe, and reliable services, to ensure client confidence.

In line with its dedication to professionalizing the luxury chauffeured vehicle industry, NLA created and launched its Ride Responsibly campaign. Established in 2015, the Ride Responsibly campaign focuses on enlightening members of the public on their rights as passengers and what they should expect from service providers. NLA was also able to create ground transportation standards, such as the Passenger Bill of Rights and Driver Duty of Care, through the Ride Responsibly campaign.