Spy Shots: AM General-built taxi cab gets restyled before production
In an oddly compelling little piece of timing, two new American companies are working on taxi designs just after Checker Motors, the most famous of all bespoke taxicab companies, has filed for bankruptcy. We've seen the Standard Taxi before, but it has apparently been restyled a bit after cab owners complained about the initial concept's dowdy appearance. It's a slight improvement by the looks of things, though we certainly wouldn't call the machine attractive.It's what's under the skin that counts, though, and the Standard Taxi looks to implement a number of features that should improve the lives of both its driver and passengers. Like the MetroKing concept that we looked at a couple of months back, this vehicle is based on running gear from General Motors and features a low load floor and easy wheelchair access along with easily replaceable body panels. Production of the Standard Taxi is scheduled for 2010 at AM General's assembly plant in Mishawaka, Indiana.
[Source: Auto Express]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
MGBYG 10:14AM (3/17/2009)
Looks like some of the kids in the Warren Tech Centre drew this up. It has the "GM-exclusive" ugly square-topped wheelwells they been pushing since the 1970's.
Practical and repair friendly does not have to be this bad looking... just wait 'till they are bright yellow with signage all over them.
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Jj 10:30AM (3/17/2009)
The looks are not so much a function of being easy to repair as it is of being cheap to make.
Curves and character lines complicated the tooling used to make the body work and therefore add cost.
Snark 10:32AM (3/17/2009)
They ain't building them for you to look at them, dude. Function > form.
Aprime 11:09AM (3/17/2009)
Function over form? I don't think we need 4500 pounds taxis, thank you very much.
homunculus 10:29AM (3/17/2009)
i will take this over a crown vic any day.
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Yago Bal 10:52AM (3/17/2009)
This could do wonders for a city's image... (NOT ;))
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Avinash machado 11:05AM (3/17/2009)
Maybe AM General should buy back HUMMER from GM, and make it a niche civilian off road brand to compete with Jeep.
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Luis 11:27AM (3/17/2009)
FAIL. We should not bail them out either.
And if they aren't hybrids, won't they be shunned by NYC, the biggest taxi market by far?
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Swede 11:30AM (3/17/2009)
Whats wrong with a normal Mercedes taxi?
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Kumar 1:00PM (3/17/2009)
A Benz taxi in the US? Then Americans would realize the stuff they buy from MB is the higher end of the lines only, and start demanding the other more affordable configurations.
Will never happen unfortunately.
Richard S. 2:03PM (3/17/2009)
Would it be easier to just license produce the famous London Taxi and make it LHD? It is a proven design, efficient and iconic. You could even update it with a hybrid electric system either coupled to a diesel or gasoline engine. Mayor Bloomberg would love it and order all NYC cabs to be as such.
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010111 4:53AM (3/18/2009)
or you know... just buy the ones already available in north america.
http://www.london-fleet.com/
Tony C 6:35PM (3/17/2009)
Fugly.
Looks like an Element on steroids.
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