FEB. 12-18, 2024 20 · SBJ.NET Limo Land redefines the art of luxury transportation by embracing a tradition that dates back to the 1980s, when the region was dubbed the limousine capital of the world. With a passionate commitment to innovation and craftsmanship, officials say they take brand-new cars and SUVs and cut them in half to rebuild into bespoke luxury vehicles. SBJ: What got you interested in the limo business? Gary Spaniak III: My father was approached to take over a business called CIGI in 2007. We lived in south Florida at the time and moved here to start it. My father has been in the private equity game, so buying and selling companies, and this was something that came about. As a young boy, my passion was restoring cars. So, my dad asked me to tag along and take it to the next level. We took over in 2007, and in 2012 changed the name to Limo Land when we had full ownership. SBJ: Who are your customers? Spaniak: The majority of our clients are the people you call to take a limo out, like party bus companies. Chances are, every car you rent from prom comes from us. We do not rent them individually, although we considered it for a short period of time; the demand isn’t there yet. I do have a list of clients who are private people who have had limos and luxury sprinter vans built, including celebrity clients. But for the most part, it’s businesses purchasing the vehicles. SBJ: What does the manufacturing process look like? Spaniak: It sounds crazy, but car manufacturers don’t make limos. You can’t just buy a limo from Cadillac. So, I buy a brand-new car, cut it in half and rebuild it at our shop. We are the people who make the limos. We’re a one-stop shop and can custom-build pretty much everything. We manufacture a lot of high-end luxury vans, which are a huge market right now for us. There are so many cool things we do, but the one that stands out the most is we built the first all-electric limo, built off a Nissan Leaf. Another coolest part of the industry is history. Limousine manufacturing started in Springfield, Missouri, in the mid-80s. We are the only one left cutting cars in half and building into limos in the area, but what’s great is we have people working here who are third- and fourth-generation limo makers. SBJ: How do you approach marketing for your limos? Spaniak: The biggest thing is, because we have been here for so long, we don’t need to advertise. Of course, we have to work on sales, but our No. 1 focus is that we stay relevant, stick with social media and advertise in a couple of publications in the industry. We do trade shows too. Limo Land has also been featured on the Discovery Channel’s “How It’s Made.” SBJ: What’s next for Limo Land? Spaniak: Honestly, just growing and trying to find the next limousine, the next new classic. With a lot of vehicles going electric, and a lot of sedans leaving the market, we’re in limbo to see what the next star stretch will be. We’re looking at the Dodge Durango. Interview by Contributing Writer Nicole Chilton. COOLEST THINGS Owners: Gary Spaniak Jr. and Gary Spaniak III Employees: 30 Founded: 2008 Web: LimoLand.com Facebook: @limolandsales 2023 revenue: Would not disclose Product pricing: $90,000-$200,000 Limousines, executive vans and buses Gary Spaniak III 3850 E. Mustard Way | Springfield, MO 65803 Congratulations 2024 to TEAM L&W for the selection of our Railroad Signal Cantilever as one of Springfield Business Journal’s Coolest Things in the Ozarks! LIMO LAND INC.
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