A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The Funeral

BERKSHIRE, England - August 14, 2006: It sounds like an old time Music Hall gag, but it isn’t. Whilst running a Binz hearse on trial Welsh funeral director Scott Owen of Tom Owen & Son Ltd of Llandudno, found himself flagged down when stopped at the traffic lights by a passing pedestrian, who wanted to know what make of vehicle he was using.

Such is the impact of the iF Award winning Binz hearse that the public recognise the vehicle as something just a little bit special. In today’s consumer oriented market funerals are increasingly becoming about offering the service and the standard that the consumer desires. If during their life they were used to quality goods and high standards, it is certain that the bereaved family will wish to see that represented at their funeral. Anything less just will not pass muster. The concept of burying the chief with his finery has not quite faded into the mists of time.

Needless to say, the decision to buy Binz was influenced by its public appeal, now aptly highlighted by that inquisitive bystander's more than passing interest. With Llandudno now home to one of these next generation of stylish high tech hearses from Binz, chances are that Tom Owen & Son are well placed to take advantage of contemporary trends that favour funerals as celebrations of lives well lived, and where a funeral fleet plays a more central role than would previously have been envisaged.

Binz Facts

Binz supply the only NCAP crash tested Mercedes-Benz E-Class extended limousines to UK hospitality, diplomatic and funeral service users. Its 6 seat passenger vehicle range is complemented by an E-Class hearse designed specifically for this country, and which has also fulfilled the crash test criteria.

All Binz vehicles hold full European Whole Vehicle Type Approval, and retain the base E-Class advanced on-board safety aids such as Acceleration Skid Control, Electronic Stability Control and ABS braking. These dynamic handling systems have been recalibrated by Binz in conjunction with Mercedes-Benz to take into account the increases in wheelbases and rated gross vehicle weights.

Privileged access to key E-Class design and test data like this, and wide use of Original Equipment Manufacture – OEM - components such as heavy-duty axles and brakes, has led Mercedes-Benz (DaimlerChrysler United Kingdom Ltd). to accept Binz vehicles for full warranty and service support through its UK service organisation.

Since release of the current E-220, E270 CDi diesel and E-350 based petrol model range in 2004, Binz has delivered over 200 vehicles to UK operators. Prices for the 6-door extended E-220 limousine to Elegance specification start at £81,671.54 inclusive of VAT and 2 year warranty (£69,50769 exclusive).

Binz extended E-Class limousines and hearses are manufactured for Binz UK Ltd. by Binz GmbH, of Lorch, Germany. Binz UK Ltd. is an independently-owned coachbuilder and vehicle designer, based in Reading, Berkshire.