Mercedes launches new 'London cab'
Mercedes's new 'London cab'
Author: David Miles
Published: 19 June 2008
EcoCity Vehicles plc has signed an exclusive contract with Mercedes-Benz to launch a new Mercedes "London cab" through its KPM-UK Taxis subsidiary.
The new taxi will make its public debut at a press conference being held at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders in London next week, Thursday 26 June.
The Mercedes-Benz taxi will end the monopoly of the LTI Vehicles of Coventry whose purpose-built TX vehicles are widely used in London and other UK towns and cities and an expanding world market.
Their latest TX4 model is soon to be built in China, in addition to Coventry, to meet the demand from other markets around the world who want to adopt the iconic British taxi.
The new Mercedes-Benz 2.2-litre CDI turbodiesel lower emission six-seat taxi is based on the Vito Traveliner. Its rear wheel steering system, designed and engineered in Britain by EcoCity's associate company One80 Limited, enables the vehicle to comply with London's famous statutory 25 foot turning circle, a key requirement of the Conditions of Fitness taxi regulations operated by London’s Public Carriage Office.
The new vehicle will be primarily aimed at London's 25,000 licensed taxi drivers. The new vehicle will be able to be hailed in the street or from one of over 500 designated ranks in London. In keeping with all London cabs, the new vehicle is 100 per cent wheelchair accessible.
KPM-UK will become the Multi-Franchise Dealer with exclusivity in Greater London and will run the new Mercedes Taxi Dealership in separate premises alongside its London Taxi International (LTI) Dealership, which it has held since 1989.
600 black cabs have been taken off the streets of London after eight of the taxis burst into flames over a three-month period.
Recognisability of what is a proper taxi is now an issue says London taxi trade, as Mercedes unveils new Mercedes-Benz Vito Traveliner minibus.
A taxi driver drove into a river under directions from his satnav, leaving him stranded in the River Nar.
Reports that rapper P Diddy is to launch a taxi service to ferry drunken celebrities home after nights out to ensure everyone is 'partying safely'.
"And who do you think you are, Michael Schumacher?" "Ja, genau." Schumacher takes to wheel of slow taxi to get to airport on time.
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