Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[London Black Taxi manufacturer sold to China's Geely]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/04/london-black-taxi-manufacturer-sold-to-chinas-geely/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/04/london-black-taxi-manufacturer-sold-to-chinas-geely/http://www.autoblog.com/2013/02/04/london-black-taxi-manufacturer-sold-to-chinas-geely/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

London black cabs

Geely, the Chinese company that also owns Volvo, now owns Manganese Bronze Holdings (MBH), makers of London's Black Cab. MBH went into administration late last year, and some had looked to Geely to rescue the company in which it had a 19.7-percent equity stake. Although it's taken three months to strike a deal, and more than half of the workforce was let go, Geely finally agreed to buy MBH for 11.4 million pounds ($17.9M US).

The purchase confers to Geely "the business and principal assets" of MBH, including the intellectual property and trademarks, equipment, properties, unsold stock, "goodwill" and complete ownership of the China-based joint venture in which Geely was producing the Englong SC7-RV. Happily for fans of the iconic product, the deal keeps production in Coventry and Geely has stated its desire to reestablish and grow the firm.

Reasserting authority in the UK taxi market and getting back in the good books of owners will take money and commitment. Manufacturers like Nissan and Mercedes-Benz have been poaching former owners of LTI products, and what current owners have seen as a lack of service and support has turned apathy into ire. Geely will need to put the time and money into new, competitive and reliable models to make a success of its latest purchase. If those new models can retain the Black Cab's aesthetic place in the London streetscape, all the better for it.

London Black Taxi manufacturer sold to China's Geely originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Feb 2013 08:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>administrationbankruptcyblack cabgeelylondonlondon taxiLondon Taxis Internationalltimanganesemanganese bronzemanganese bronze holdingsMon, 04 Feb 2013 08:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20446955/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2013/02/04/london-black-taxi-manufacturer-sold-to-chinas-geely/20446955/article-detail.xml 20446955 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/london-black-cabs_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2013/02/london-black-cabs.jpg <![CDATA[Check out Nissan's NV200 in London black cab livery [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/06/check-out-nissans-nv200-in-london-black-cab-livery-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/06/check-out-nissans-nv200-in-london-black-cab-livery-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/08/06/check-out-nissans-nv200-in-london-black-cab-livery-w-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Nissan NV200 London 'black cab'

The little black cab is to London what the yellow Ford Crown Victoria has been up to New York City. With the departure of Ford's Panther platform, Nissan has stepped in with its all-new NV200, which will soon be spreading like kudzu over NYC streets. It seems that London may also share the Big Apple's fate in adopting Nissan's new minivan as its taxi of choice.

The NV200 will scoot around London's tight city streets with the help of a 1.5-liter inline four, making 89 horsepower, but more importantly, returning 53 miles per gallon. That fuel-efficent engine also results in a 50-percent dropoff in CO2 emissions compared to the older cabs. It also meets the requirement of having a turning radius of 25 feet or less.

In terms of the rider's experience, the NV200 looks to be a vast improvement. The sliding doors provide easier access on either side of the vehicle, which has seating for five. The front passenger seat has been removed in favor of extra storage space, and there's a USB charging port located in the passenger cabin.

Nissan says its NV200 complies with all handicap regulations and has been approved by the London Taxi Drivers Association and disability groups, and that it will be priced "significantly below" the London Taxi Company's TX4, the current version of the UK's iconic black cab.

All well and good, but can it be turned into a hotel room? We shall see. Check out Nissan's new cab in the videos available by scrolling down.

Continue reading Check out Nissan's NV200 in London black cab livery [w/video]

Check out Nissan's NV200 in London black cab livery [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Aug 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>black cabliverylondonlondon taxinew taxinissannissan nvnissan nv200nissan vannv200taxivanvideoMon, 06 Aug 2012 15:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20294001/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/08/06/check-out-nissans-nv200-in-london-black-cab-livery-w-video/20294001/article-detail.xml 20294001 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/lodon-taxi-nv200-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/08/lodon-taxi-nv200-628.jpg <![CDATA[How a few college buddies racked up $100,000 cab ride [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/21/how-a-few-college-buddies-racked-up-100-000-cab-ride-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/21/how-a-few-college-buddies-racked-up-100-000-cab-ride-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/21/how-a-few-college-buddies-racked-up-100-000-cab-ride-w-video/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

It's on the Meter - World Taxi Challenge

No, this is not the screenplay for The Hangover Part III. But this story does demonstrate how brilliant ideas conceived at the bar with your buddies have a tendency to snowball out of control. In this case, a single, flippant thought (How high can a taxi meter go?), one that might have been resolved by Googling, led to a 50,000-mile excursion in an eBay Motors-sourced, $2,000 car.

The story, as told by The Wall Street Journal, is an adventure tale of epic proportions, starring three 20-somethings from Great Britain. They left the U.K. over a year ago on a drive around the world, armed only with a 1992 London Black Cab and the desire to set the world record for the longest taxi ride. Their journey has taken them to the Middle East in time for the Arab Spring, up to the Arctic Circle, and as high as a Mount Everest base camp.

The Journal caught up with the trio in New York City after a 12-state tour of the U.S., where one of the British buddies saw fit to comment on our national obsession with the cost of gasoline. "Americans don't know how good they have it," he told the reporter, after recounting how he paid $12/gallon for fuel in Turkey.

As the friends have driven their cab, dubbed "Hannah," around the world, they've been having quite a laugh, but they've also been raising money for the British Red Cross, in the form of corporate sponsorships, according to the report.

Click past the jump to see a video interview with the intrepid travelers, and don't forget to check in on the trio's progress via their blog, ItsOnTheMeter.com.

Continue reading How a few college buddies racked up $100,000 cab ride [w/video]

How a few college buddies racked up $100,000 cab ride [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Mar 2012 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>100000 cab ride100k cab ridecab farecab rideguinness book of world recordsguinness world recordsits on the meterlondon black cablondon cablondon taxitaxi cabworld recordworld taxi challengeWed, 21 Mar 2012 16:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20198058/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/21/how-a-few-college-buddies-racked-up-100-000-cab-ride-w-video/20198058/article-detail.xml 20198058 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/taxi-opt-1332349052_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/taxi-opt-1332349052.jpg <![CDATA[Geely channels London's iconic taxi with Englong SC7-RV for Shanghai]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/15/geely-channels-londons-iconic-taxi-with-englong-sc7-rv-for-shan/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/15/geely-channels-londons-iconic-taxi-with-englong-sc7-rv-for-shan/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/15/geely-channels-londons-iconic-taxi-with-englong-sc7-rv-for-shan/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Geely SC7-RV
Geely Englong SC7-RV - Click above to view the image gallery

Chinese automaker Geely is part owner of Manganese Bronze, which makes the famous black taxi cabs for the UK and Chinese markets. But while a pricey cab makes sense for the UK, a high-dollar cab in China isn't always profitable. For that reason, Geely will introduce the Englong SC7-RV next week at the Shanghai Motor Show.

While the instantly recognizable UK taxi does its job well, it utilizes a platform that is totally unique. By contrast, the Englong SC7-RV will reportedly use a platform from Geely's existing fleet. And since the parts are common and the production will likely occur in China, costs are expected to dip considerably. And if you ask us, the SC7-RV actually manages to look kind of cool. Even better for prospective taxi owners in China, this livery special will likely make it to production.


Gallery: Geely Englong SC7-RV

Geely Englong SC7-RV

[Source: China Car Times]

Geely channels London's iconic taxi with Englong SC7-RV for Shanghai originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Apr 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>british taxi cabchina taxienglongenglong SV7-RVgeelyliverylondon taxishanghaishanghai 2011taxitaxisFri, 15 Apr 2011 17:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19914380/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/04/15/geely-channels-londons-iconic-taxi-with-englong-sc7-rv-for-shan/19914380/article-detail.xml 19914380 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/englon-sc7rv_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/englon-sc7rv.jpg <![CDATA[Video: Stig does donuts in Mitsubishi Evo-based London taxi]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/04/video-stig-does-donuts-in-mitsubishi-evo-based-london-taxi/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/04/video-stig-does-donuts-in-mitsubishi-evo-based-london-taxi/http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/04/video-stig-does-donuts-in-mitsubishi-evo-based-london-taxi/#commentsFiled under: , ,

stig driving london taxi
Stig goes round and round in a London Taxi - Click above to watch video after the jump

Top Gear Live is the traveling version of the world's greatest show about cars. Part of that extravaganza includes The Stig, and he likes to showcase his driving talents to the crowd. One thing that doesn't require much skill, however, is a burnout. Supply Stiggy with a proper car, let him loose, and the result will be ruined tires, smoke and many cheering fans. Is it that easy if the car being used is a London Taxi?

It is when beneath the glossy black people-mover body sits a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. The result is far better than the Cash Cab, and we think the Stig agrees. Click past the jump to watch two clips of the Evo taxi in action. Thanks to all for the tips.

[Source: YouTube via CarScoop]

Continue reading Video: Stig does donuts in Mitsubishi Evo-based London taxi

Video: Stig does donuts in Mitsubishi Evo-based London taxi originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Read | Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>evolancer evolutionlondon taxilondon taxi evomitsubishimitsubishi lancer evolutionstigthe stigtop geartop gear livetop gear videovideoMon, 04 Apr 2011 15:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19900411/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2011/04/04/video-stig-does-donuts-in-mitsubishi-evo-based-london-taxi/19900411/article-detail.xml 19900411 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/stig-taxi_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2011/04/stig-taxi.jpg <![CDATA[Volkswagen crafts a London Black Taxi for the future]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/15/volkswagen-crafts-a-london-black-taxi-for-the-future/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/15/volkswagen-crafts-a-london-black-taxi-for-the-future/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/15/volkswagen-crafts-a-london-black-taxi-for-the-future/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Volkswagen London Taxi Concept
Volkswagen London Taxi Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Volkswagen is putting it's own unique spin on a London icon. The VW London Taxi Concept, which is built upon the Up! city car platform, is an electric cab with an estimated range of 186 miles. Though the overall length of 3,730 millimeters means the Taxi concept is shorter than a VW Fox, its minimal front and rear overhang allow for plenty of room to accommodate the driver and two full-size adult passengers plus luggage. Inside, the Volkswagen London Taxi Concept features touchscreen displays that provide information on the surrounding area and the route being traveled.

Since this is just a concept, it doesn't conform to current London taxi regulations. However, it does provide a glimpse at what the future might hold for emission-free urban transportation choices.


Gallery: Volkswagen London Taxi Concept

Volkswagen London Taxi ConceptVolkswagen London Taxi ConceptVolkswagen London Taxi ConceptVolkswagen London Taxi ConceptVolkswagen London Taxi Concept

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading Volkswagen crafts a London Black Taxi for the future

Volkswagen crafts a London Black Taxi for the future originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Dec 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>london taxitaxiupup city carvolkswagenvolkswagen london taxivolkswagen london taxi conceptVolkswagen taxivolkswagen upvw taxiWed, 15 Dec 2010 19:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19760825/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/12/15/volkswagen-crafts-a-london-black-taxi-for-the-future/19760825/article-detail.xml 19760825 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/volkswagentaxi-concept_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/volkswagentaxi-concept.jpg <![CDATA[VIDEO: Modded London Taxi has a 500 horsepower secret]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/27/video-modded-london-taxi-has-a-500-horsepower-secret/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/27/video-modded-london-taxi-has-a-500-horsepower-secret/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/27/video-modded-london-taxi-has-a-500-horsepower-secret/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click image to watch videos of this V8 London Cab after the jump

The London Taxi is an iconic vehicle that, aside from a double-decker bus, is probably the quintessential British commercial transport. The particular London Cab in these YouTube videos is anything but. Computer specialist Steve Birchall spent nearly £60,000 (around $85k USD) ripping out the car's original diesel powerplant and shoehorning in a whomping big V8. There's very little going on outside to give away the car's secret, unless you look toward the rear. Back there, the fully tubbed monster meats kind of give away the game.

Popping the hood, you'll spot a 502cid American V8 that puts out around 500 brake horsepower. That's about quintuple the original motor's horsepower, and it evidently produces 0-60 runs around 4 seconds. While that might sound impressive, you'll have to see the video we've posted after the jump to see what really sets this cab apart. This one can dance. Watch the videos after the jump to see for yourself. Thanks for the tip, Ovidiu.

[Source: YouTube via ZerCustoms]

Continue reading VIDEO: Modded London Taxi has a 500 horsepower secret

VIDEO: Modded London Taxi has a 500 horsepower secret originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Jan 2009 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>london cablondon taxiLondonCabLondonTaxiV8 London CabV8 London TaxiV8LondonCabV8LondonTaxiTue, 27 Jan 2009 15:28:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1442160/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/01/27/video-modded-london-taxi-has-a-500-horsepower-secret/1442160/article-detail.xml 1442160 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/01/v8londoncab_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/01/v8londoncab.jpg <![CDATA[Auction action: Drive a Lotus, help earthquake victims]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/20/auction-action-drive-a-lotus-help-earthquake-victims/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/20/auction-action-drive-a-lotus-help-earthquake-victims/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/20/auction-action-drive-a-lotus-help-earthquake-victims/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Last month China's Sichuan province was devastated by a massive earthquake that killed as many as 70,000 people. If you've wanted to donate to help the survivors but were waiting for just the right opportunity, this could be it.

Our friends over at China Car Times are holding several auctions with the proceeds going to the British Red Cross. Three of the auctions require a little travel for us Americans, but just might be worth a special trip. One is a private tour of the London Taxi factory with a chance to drive one of the iconic cars and some special merchandise from the factory. The second is for the chance to be one of the first people to tour MG's Longbridge factory in Birmingham, England, since taken over by Shanghai Automotive. Not only that, but the top bidder will get to drive the new MG TF LE500. The third auction is your chance to try out the latest vehicles from Lotus right there on its test track in Hethel Norwich, England.

Can't leave the country? Line up behind a couple of Autoblog staffers to bid on the 1:18 scale models of the Lifan 520. These are usually only given to VIP visitors to the Lifan factory and are produced in exacting detail. They're gonna look good in my collection.

The final auction should appeal to anyone with an international business hoping to break into the Chinese market. China Car Times will give to the winning bidder one month of advertising on its Web site, which is a great opportunity to see what your business could do over there.

[Source: China Car Times]

Auction action: Drive a Lotus, help earthquake victims originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Jun 2008 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>charity auctionCharityAuctionChina Car TimesChina earthquakeChina earthquake charityChinaCarTimesChinaEarthquakeChinaEarthquakeCharityLifanLondon TaxiLondonTaxiLotusMGTF LE500TfLe500Fri, 20 Jun 2008 19:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1228603/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/06/20/auction-action-drive-a-lotus-help-earthquake-victims/1228603/article-detail.xml 1228603 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/06/exige_track_auction_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/06/exige_track_auction.jpg <![CDATA[Geely TX4 LTC show car turns London taxi into hot rod. Sort of.]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/21/geely-tx4-ltc-show-car-turns-london-taxi-into-hot-rod-sort-of/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/21/geely-tx4-ltc-show-car-turns-london-taxi-into-hot-rod-sort-of/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/04/21/geely-tx4-ltc-show-car-turns-london-taxi-into-hot-rod-sort-of/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click image for a gallery of the Geely TX4 LTC

Geely builds the LTI TX4 under license, and naturally, it's showing off the popular London taxi at its display in Beijing. The standard TX4's kind of vanilla though, so to grab showgoers' attention, the automaker has also plopped an electric blue "hot rod" version called the TX4 LTC in its display, as well. It might more appropriately described as a "not rod", since the TX4's stock 2.4L Euro IV-compliant diesel remains underhood. For maximum visual effect, Geely appears to have raided the Chinese equivalent of a Pep Boys, adding a faux dual exhaust, bolting on truck running boards and fitting six-spoke wheels that might be just a smidge oversized. Call us crazy, but it looks like turning could become a bit of an adventure.

Inside, the passenger compartment gets a white interior and possibly some stereo upgrades along with a nice photo of Big Ben on the bulkhead. You might be stifling a giggle, but compared to some of the vehicular insanity that's showed up at previous years' Chinese auto shows, the TX4 LTC is almost boring, and even with that stock engine, lead-footed hacks can probably still smoke Geely Beauty Leopard drivers at red lights. Just don't take the bait and follow them into the twisties -- you might run into some issues.

Gallery: Geely TX4 LTC


All photos Copyright (C)2008 Bin Chen / Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Autoblog Chinese]

Geely TX4 LTC show car turns London taxi into hot rod. Sort of. originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>auto chinaauto china 2008AutoChinaAutoChina2008beijingbeijing 2008beijing 2008 autoshowbeijing auto showbeijing motor showBeijing2008Beijing2008Autoshowbeijingautoshowbeijingmotorshowgeelygeely tx4geely tx4 hot rodgeely tx4 ltcgeely tx4 not rodGeelyTx4GeelyTx4HotRodGeelyTx4LtcGeelyTx4NotRodlondon taxiLondonTaxilti tx4LtiTx4Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1173273/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/04/21/geely-tx4-ltc-show-car-turns-london-taxi-into-hot-rod-sort-of/1173273/article-detail.xml 1173273 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/04/tx4_notrod-(5)450_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/04/tx4_notrod-(5)450.jpg -1 2