If you look around while you are on the road in the Windy City, you will notice that the majority of the limo rentals in Chicago are SUVs. SUVs in Chicago just took over the business.
Little History
A decade ago, most of the limo services in Chicago had stretch limos and sedans. Stretch limos were widely used for proms and other special events. People used them for weddings, funerals, games, concerts, nights out. Clients used to book stretches even for airport transfers to and from O’hare international airport or Midway airport. It was considered a prestige and show off to ride in a stretch limo. That`s why they were so popular back in the days. Stretch limousines were everywhere. People thought of a stretch limo when someone used to say “limo”.
Why Did SUVs Take Over
Only those who have been in a stretch know that it is not a very comfortable vehicle for a longer ride. The main reason for that it’s the seats’ position. The seats along the windows make a passenger lean sideways and bump into the person sitting next to him/her, anytime the vehicle stops or accelerates. Stretch limos can take up to 8+ people, but when it comes to luggage space- good luck with that! Thus SUVs took over the airport limo service, the long distance limousine service and believe it or not- the sports games and concerts limo services.
Another thing that pushed the stretches away is the way the corporate businesses changed their thinking. If years ago, they used to go from meeting to meeting in a stretch, nowadays it just does not look appropriate. Being in an SUV somehow became the standard of being serious, respected and professional. It shows you really mean it, when a black SUV turns around the corner or pulls up at an office building.
UBER and Lyft also helped the SUVs to take over. Most of its drivers purchased SUVs so they be able to do both sedan and SUV requests.
Smart limo owners bought SUVs not to miss revenue. Also, many Chicago limousine service companies started to play tricks. They offered the sedan orders first to SUV drivers , skipping the sedan owners. That way the client would enjoy more room and comfort , and still paying a sedan rate. Most of the sedan drivers realized that. When the time came to update vehicles, they purchased SUVs.
The limo service is a dynamic industry which constantly adjusts to clients’ needs and preferences. Only time will tell what the next trend will be. However, it is very important for the limo companies to notice the trend in its earlier stages and adjust to the change.
