Robin Roberts (WheelsWithinWales) reports… |
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Two Welsh enthusiasts behind the world’s largest private members’ supercar club have partnered with exclusive villa and country-house businesses and brought the business back to Wales for a growing number of local members. Auto Vivendi supercar club members from around the world will now be able to select breaks at luxury rental properties throughout the UK and have a supercar at their disposal for part or all the time they are away. Auto Vivendi is the brainchild of Maesteg-born Richard Thomas and Craig Williams, from Usk, and they have built it up with a collection of 30+ cars which are regularly updated with the latest models from supercar manufacturers to satisfy their 135 members from around the world. The new venture has come at the right time for Auto Vivendi with the holiday and getaway season beginning and they have just added some new supercars to their stable. The supercar club will once again be holding its 200mph challenge this spring where members will be able to experience four supercars as they to attempt exceeding their target in a McLaren 720S and 987bhp Ferrari SF90 Stradale at a private airfield with instructors, safety crew and hospitality (below). |
Compared to owning and running super cars oneself, membership to Auto Vivendi costs a fraction of the price with a £2,000 + VAT joining fee covering insurance and compulsory performance driving course and then a membership scheme starting from £15,950 + VAT for 20 days and 1,000 miles a year car use. The tiered membership rises to £113,450 + VAT for year round use and 12,000 miles.
Membership can include foreign travel and some clients use this for a holiday break.
Auto Vivendi Craig Williams
Craig (above) is a former oil broker and met Richard (below), an accountant, at a members’ event where they hit it off and decided to pool their experience and enthusiasm to develop Auto Viviendi.
They have not looked back and carefully managed their operations through the pandemics to the point where they are now expanding clients’ services.
Not only are their cars the ultimate production models but a few are also very limited edition versions which many drivers would never get a chance to experience.
Craig Williams said of the new development, “With Stay One and Mandarin Oriental Exclusive Homes our members can select an exclusive home from home at 4,500 locations around the world including 350 in the UK.”
He added, “We are up to 135 members this year and I am confident we will reach 200 by the end of 2023. These are people who appreciate a highly personal service which is second to none and we will meet their highest expectations.”
While still centred in London where they started over two decades ago, Auto Vivendi has been very encouraged by the growth in members from the north-west and South Wales using their new out of town hubs.