BOEING’S 787 DREAMLINER DELIVERY DATE DELAYED

In what is another set back to Boeing, as well as the airline industry as a whole, delivery of Boeing’s much-anticipated 787 Dreamliner will be delayed. 

The current statement from Boeing is that the delay will only be six months.  If this timetable holds up, much of the damage for Boeing could be negated.  This is due primarily to the fact that the 787 Dreamliner’s identified rival in the aircraft market is the Airbus A350 XWB.  Fortunately for Boeing, the Airbus A350 XWB is not scheduled to take to the air for another four plus years after Boeing’s new delivery date of fall 2008. 

However, despite the mitigating circumstances, the delay is a setback to the credibility and reputation of the aircraft maker who had repeatedly reported that initial deadlines would be met.  “We are disappointed by today’s schedule changes and deeply regret the impact these delays will have on our customers,” said Boeing Chief Executive Jim McNerney.
Boeing states that these delays will not impact their earnings projected on the more than 700 orders, worth approximately $120 billion, they have already received on the planes.  Despite this internal optimism, shares for Boeing fell 2.7% upon release of the news.

The 787 Dreamliner is not only the economic hope of Boeing; it is a new technological marvel as well.  With its liberal use of carbon fiber construction materials, the 787 Dreamliner aims to create a lighter plane that is more fuel efficient. 

Additionally, the creature comforts afforded to customers include increased cargo space, greater cabin humidity, and a more comfortable interior.  This was an important design element of the plane as all airlines are seeking to serve their demanding, luxury-seeking clientele better. 

New luxury travel options are not limited to air travel. An emerging trend among affluent fun seekers, exotic car sharing car clubs provide car enthusiasts the pleasure of elite ground transportation that’s not available at the Hertz counter.

These new clubs allow members to experience all the pleasures of driving an elite collection of cars for less than the payment on one high-end car.  One problem that many of the start up clubs face is not having the capital to create an elite car collection at the outset. Without cars, building the membership to sustain new purchases becomes hard for fledgling clubs.

Ron Sturgeon, a Dallas-based entrepreneur who created DFW Elite Car Club, has addressed this problem by contributing many cars from his own personal collection to the club.  This has allowed his relatively new exotic car sharing club in Fort Worth, TX to begin with a collection of over 40 luxury cars.

“With an increasing number of $200,000 cars on the market,” said DFW Elite Car Club owner, Ron Sturgeon, “it really is impossible for a car connoisseur to be happy driving just one or two.”   

“The car club concept allows someone with an appreciation for the finest automobiles to experience driving many more of them in the company of fellow enthusiasts,” said Car Club Director Josh Davis.

The car club concept has received extensive press in luxury and automotive magazines and a number of entrepreneurs have started luxury car sharing clubs in cities as diverse as Dallas, San Francisco, New York and Chicago. One of the easiest ways to determine if there is a club near you is to consult an online directory for exotic car sharing clubs such as www.exoticcarclubs.com.

Passengers on Boeing’s new Dreamliner 787 will be able to arrive in style to cities that feature the clubs from coast to coast. Many of the exotic car sharing clubs have plans for nationwide expansion or agreements in place with other exotic car sharing clubs or car rental agencies to allow members to access just the right car when they travel for business or pleasure.

Read the official press release about the 6-month delay of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner or  more about the exotic car club craze in the Robb Report Collection’s special automotive issue.

Written by Garrett Gregory.  If you are interested in having me write stories for you or seeing my portfolio, please contact me at ggpsu@yahoo.com.

To catch more of the latest news on exotic cars and luxury air travel, check out our exotic car news pages.