New York City shops for next generation taxi at Detroit Auto Show
Click image for a gallery of the '07 Ford Escape Hybrid Taxi
As capable a taxi as the Ford Crown Vic has been for New York and other big cities, the big sedan is nearing the end of its run, and since it makes up the majority of NYC's taxi fleet, the Taxi and Limousine Commission is on the prowl, looking for a proper replacement. Ideally, they'd get a custom design that provides passenger space, ample cargo capacity, easy access for the disabled, reduced fuel consumption, and clean operation. Like London's iconic black cabs, the ideal NYC taxi would also have a unique, easily identifiable style.
You can't get something like that without help, however, so TLC chairman Matthew Daus headed to the Detroit Auto Show to begin lobbying automakers for a purpose-built NYC taxicab. The commission has enlisted the assistance of Ricardo to come up with a list of "dream cab" specifications that will be circulated among the various automakers. Whether any of them will step up and deliver an all-new taxi remains to be seen. A well-done fleet car like that would certainly have appeal in other major cities, too, so there would likely be buyers outside the Big Apple. We figured that the Escape Hybrid (above), which already has an established presence of its own in NYC's taxi fleet, would be a lock to replace the Crown Vic when the time comes. If no automakers go to bat for the TLC with a custom taxi, it still might. Ideally, however, we'd see a purpose-built cab that blends the utility of the Escape, the comfort of the Crown Vic, the green credentials of a modern hybrid, and the charm of a Checker Marathon. With jump seats, of course.
[Source: Automotive News-- sub. req'd]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Chaz 10:42AM (1/19/2008)
The Camry hybrids already in pretty heavy use in Boston fit the bill. Well, all except for the charm, but function first, ya know.
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Dan 12:04PM (1/19/2008)
Relatives of mine have one of those. It's a fairly nice car for what it is, but it barely has a trunk. How's that work out for taxi service?
I guess it doesn't matter for driving drunks home from the bars, but what about taking people and their bags to the airport? What are we supposed to do, carry em on our laps?
Jim 10:56AM (1/19/2008)
Will the fuel savings from buying new hybrids be enough to justify their additional cost?
further, how many of the Crown Vics in NYC are purchased new vs. bought at auction as retired cop cars (I'm seriously interested, 'cos I don't know.) Detroit surely isn't NYC, but 'round here pretty much every cab you see is a retired cruiser.
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Bryan 9:41PM (1/19/2008)
From what I understand they get huge savings for using Hybrids, something like a tax break or something since its a taxi.
Bill 11:07AM (1/19/2008)
The NYC cabs are usually purpose-built, not retired cruisers. And they're usually the stretch-wheelbase version.
The London Taxi is perfect, and they are distributed in the US, but my guess is the cost and distribution is probably not what it needs to be in order to be ubiquitous.
With it's huge trunk and good room in the back, the Taurus could be a decent fit.
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Guenther 9:28AM (1/20/2008)
in its current form, the Taurus isn't durable enough. There are some running around as airport taxis at DTW, and they sound like they're falling apart. In the long run, anything with a strut suspension will be undesirable because of maintenance costs.
emdee 11:09AM (1/19/2008)
The British company LTI, which builds the London Taxi cab already has a very good vehicle: http://www.lti.co.uk/
Why don't they simply adapt that to New York? Maybe give it a faux Checker Taxi front end and pretty much leave it at that. Or I'm sure LTI would be happy to rework the design for New York if they can get guaranteed orders.
Sure, it's expensive, but it's also indestructable and will last 20 years in service. It's designed for wheelchair access, has seperate driver section and is pretty much the ultimate taxi cab.
I'm actually kind of sorry they don't build regular cars with the same principles. But I guess people wouldn't be happy driving their indestructable cars around for 20 years :(
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MemphisNET 11:37AM (1/19/2008)
5 Years ago I used to commute back and forth between Oshawa (east of Toronto) to Montreal on the train. This one guy imported and successfully licensed 5 of those London cabs for use in Whitby/Oshawa area. They were very expensive (something on the order of 65k CND each, this is back when the dollar was worth 67-75cents US) but he kept VERY busy both because of the appeal and their utility.
Personally I think Chrysler should pitch a 2mode-hybrid Magnum to keep that body style in service and generate some sales. Then again I just love the wagon and don't want to see it go away.
Stéphane Dumas 11:39AM (1/19/2008)
good point emdee, having the Checker front end and I could go further by wishing then someone revive the Checker nameplate (btw, who's currently hold the rights to the name?)
Also a bit of trivia, long before Crown Victorias, there was some DeSoto Suburban taxi like this one http://www.fotosdecarros.com/fotos/Desoto/1948+DeSoto+DeLuxe+Suburban+Taxi+Sedan+f3q_Thomas_.jpg.html and some Toyota Comfort http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_Comfort used in Japan and Hong Kong
Guenther 9:37AM (1/20/2008)
Checker is still in business, just no the business of building cars. I would bet they still own the name itself
Avinash machado 11:11AM (1/19/2008)
What about a stretched Chrysler 300? Or perhaps the new Impala if it comes with RWD?
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Brent 11:24AM (1/19/2008)
The 300 and Magnum cabs in Vegas are the coolest looking. :)
DDL 2:16PM (1/20/2008)
Given that Cerberus is stopping the Magnum, it should be considered for fleet only cab use in NYC. Put a generic grille on the thing and no one would know or care that it came from Chrysler.
Alex Nunez 11:41AM (1/19/2008)
I think that an LX sedan (Charger or 300 -- flip a coin) fitted with Chrysler's version of the 2-mode hybrid system would be pretty great as a cab. RWD, roomy interior, and a very large trunk. It probably is less than ideal in terms of access for the disabled, which clearly is a consideration for the NY TLC, though.
MemphisNET 11:46AM (1/19/2008)
That's a good point Alex. Speaking of disability access, wouldn't that make the Ford Escape less than idea? Quite the step up height. Anything less than custom-built or the London Cab would not fit the bill. Then again, its not like EVERY cab needs to have acess - that would just add huge costs to a small target group. Not fair of course, but vendors are going to look at the best alternative per dollar
Hooper 2:29PM (1/19/2008)
MemphisNET: Lately, the City has auctioned off new taxi medallions for alternative-fuel vehicles and different medallions for accessible vehicles. Last year, the Mayor announced that minimum fuel economy standards for new taxis would be phased in and the entire fleet would be hybrid by 2012. While accessible vehicles are exempt from the minimum fuel economy standards, I don't know if they will be exempt from the hybrid mandate.
New York City Taxi & Limousine Comission:
http://nyc.gov/html/tlc/html/home/home.shtml
DDL 11:38AM (1/19/2008)
Cerberus could sell NYC the stretched 300 w/ a two mode hybrid when they parcel out the rest of the company to Nissan!
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MemphisNET 11:41AM (1/19/2008)
Or the Euro-only 300C Touring (Wagon) with a diesel :D
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Mike 12:13PM (1/19/2008)
Diesels aren't the answer in today's world. The recently mandated particulate emissions systems kill fuel economy in city only driving, the system is forced into particulate burn mode much more often if the vehicle doesn't see steady cruising.
If Ford does want to keep the business of selling Taxis, they should consider a hybrid Taurus, the thing has huge back seats and a huge trunk. While many hybrid owners will never realize a huge savings because of the initial expense of buying a hybrid, Taxi companies would, they drive plenty of city miles to easily overcome the expense.
Artie43 3:32PM (1/19/2008)
Toyota has the excellent 'Crown' which is used in Hong Kong for all Taxis. It is large and may even be adaptable to hybridization. Similar to the Fords/Mercury/Lincoln models that are being retired.
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