For those seeking an upgrade beyond Uber Black, residents of New York City can now summon a ride through Wheely. Despite its playful branding, the firm from London is entering the American scene by introducing its luxury ride-hailing platform in the Big Apple, according to initial coverage from Bloomberg. It functions similarly to Uber but caters specifically to corporate leaders and high-profile individuals desiring superior experiences in vehicles like Cadillacs and Mercedes.
"Our users have frequently asked for New York, including locals who experienced our rides in Europe and the Middle East, as well as global travelers who often come to the city," stated Anton Chirkunov, the company's founder and CEO, in an official statement.
In addition to the standard black car Business SUV offering, New York users have access to Wheely First, featuring a Mercedes-Benz S-Class W223 equipped with perks such as Fiji water and towels. Customers can also choose the Perfect Airport Pickup, where drivers monitor flights for precise timing, or the Chauffeur for a Day service, allowing bookings for personal drivers to handle tasks like collecting companions or completing chores. Aspiring drivers in the area can join via Wheely's proprietary Chauffeur Academy, with ambitions to build a pool of 5,000 trained professionals over the coming five years.
At present, Wheely serves London, Paris, and Dubai, but it aims to reach five key American urban centers within three years. Bloomberg reports that potential locations include areas in Texas, Miami, Palm Beach in Florida, and Washington, D.C. The company's US arrival follows closely on the heels of Uber's Elite initiative reveal, aimed at the same upscale audience. That program is presently limited to Los Angeles and San Francisco, though expansion to New York is on the horizon. Still, Uber holds an edge in aerial transport with its forthcoming Uber Air helicopter service.