Autoblog

How Nissan's NYC taxi contract may be a ticket to Hollywood fame

Jeff Sabatini — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Marketing/Advertising, Work, Nissan, Specialty

"So here's the pitch. It's a movie about a car. But it's not really about a car. It's about something else. What that is isn't important. But it's got a car in it. Not just one car, but lots of cars. Thousands of them actually. And they're in almost every scene. But only in the background. And get this: They're all... wait for it... yellow! And the best part is, we don't have to pay anything for it, in fact, they're going to pay us to put our cars in the movie. And it's going to make our cars famous. But that's not all. Imagine this: It's not just one movie, but a hundred movies. And TV shows. Thousands and thousands of hours of entertainment, and our new Nissan NV200 is going to be the star! Okay, not the star, but an extra. A bright yellow extra. I'm telling you, this idea - it can't fail!

At least that's the thesis floated by Automotive News to help explain why Nissan is so stoked over winning the Taxi of Tomorrow contract with its NV200 compact van. Beginning in late 2013, the entire New York City taxi fleet will be converting to Nissan's aesthetically challenged people mover, which will replace the ubiquitous Ford Crown Victoria.

Whether this leads to any burnishing of the Nissan brand remains to be seen, but regardless, AN says the contract is worth 40,000 units in New York alone over the next 10 years. We have to expect that at least some taxi companies outside of the Big Apple won't be shy about ponying up the thirty-large Nissan is asking for its Mexican-made cab either, as the day when every last Ford Crown Victoria extant has joined the Checker Marathon in cabbie Valhalla is certainly coming.

How Nissan's NYC taxi contract may be a ticket to Hollywood fame originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 21 Apr 2012 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VPG Autos MV-1 Taxi will leave the light on for you

Chris Paukert — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 11:03:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Minivan/Van, Truck, Work, Design/Style, MISC

The streets of Gotham are about to look a lot different. After being inundated with legions of bulky Ford Crown Victoria and the occasional Toyota Sienna or Prius for years, New York City's hack pool is slated to get a fresh crop of yellow ugly thanks to its "Taxi of Tomorrow" program.

Chief among those vehicles figures to be the Nissan NV200 Taxi, also unveiled at this week's New York Auto Show, but the Japanese automaker isn't the sole manufacturer to be in the good graces of the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission. The 2013 MV-1 seen here has also gained approval, and its maker, the snappily named Vehicle Production Group, notes that this is the first purpose-built vehicle to gain the board's approval since the Checker Cab.

And not only is the MV-1 purpose-built for taxi duty, it was designed with the Americans with Disabilities Act in mind - the square-rigged design is built around a 56-inch by 36-inch door for wheelchair access, and VPG will fit MV-1s with either manual or power ramps as requested. The American-made, body-on-frame MV-1 will also be available powered by Compressed Natural Gas.

It remains to be seen how many taxi companies are eager to buy vehicles from a startup automaker, but VPG says it has approval for up to 13,000 units. We imagine much of the MV-1's success will come down to pricing and reliability, as well as acceptance of the vehicle's unusual appearance. Of course, Nissan's new NV doesn't look like it will be contending for any design laurels, either...

VPG Autos MV-1 Taxi will leave the light on for you originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2014 Nissan NV200 Taxi brings convenience, comfort, safety and homeliness to Gotham

Michael Harley — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 11:45:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Minivan/Van, Etc., Nissan, Specialty

Attendees at the New York Auto Show are getting their first hands-on look at the all-new 2014 Nissan NV200, the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission's choice to replace much of its taxi fleet beginning in late 2013. "The Nissan NV 200 unveiled today will be the safest, most comfortable and most convenient taxi the City has ever had," said New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg at a pre-show event last night. "New York City cabs have always been iconic, and now they will set a new standard. The 600,000 passengers who use taxis to get around every day deserve the cutting-edge technology and top-of-the-line safety features that this model delivers."

The compact front-wheel drive yellow vans, fitted with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder for fuel efficiency, are loaded with features designed to keep four passengers and the driver on the other side of the partition smiling. Grab handles and sliding doors ease entry while a transparent roof panel and independently controlled rear air conditioning allows paying fares a comfortable, panoramic view of the city. Throw in mobile charging stations, antimicrobial upholstery and active carbon headliner to absorb odors, and an amusingly named "low annoyance horn" and Nissan just may have a winner on its hands - assuming cab companies and their fares embrace the rather frumpy looking things.

Nissan will build its 2014 NV200 Taxi in Cuernavaca, Mexico. Base price, with all planned standard features, will be approximately $29,700.

Continue reading 2014 Nissan NV200 Taxi brings convenience, comfort, safety and homeliness to Gotham

2014 Nissan NV200 Taxi brings convenience, comfort, safety and homeliness to Gotham originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 11:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

Jeff Sabatini — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 16:57:00 EST

Filed under: Wagon, Etc., Work, Humor

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.

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Mexico finally stomping out its fleet of VW Bug taxis

Jeff Sabatini — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Government/Legal, Volkswagen

If you've ever wanted to flag down one of Mexico City's classic Volkswagen Bug taxis, you'd better book your travel now. The last of the iconic cabs will be decommissioned by the end of the year, according to the Associated Press.

VW hasn't built the classic Beetle since 2003, the same year that Mexico City began requiring that taxi operators switch to four-door vehicles. The last Bugs that entered service as cabs back in 2002 have already been given two extra years of service compared to most taxis, according to the report.

The cabs are considered particularly dangerous, not just because they are essentially 74-year-old cars, but also because cab drivers generally remove the front passenger seat to facilitate access to the cramped rear quarters of the Beetle. But the cars are cheap to operate and according to one former Mexico City cabbie, help make the streets safer.

"Today the cars are bigger, and they drive faster," Vera Perez told the AP, "Before, they drove more cautiously, because any accident would destroy them."

Mexico finally stomping out its fleet of VW Bug taxis originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan shows New Yorkers the inside of its new taxi

Noah Joseph — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Nissan, Misc. Auto Shows, Specialty

If you lined up all the taxis in New York, they'd stretch all the way from Wall Street to Norwalk, Connecticut. They shuttle some 236 million passengers around the city every year - about 600,000 every day - and in the process, they travel the equivalent of 20,000 times around the world every year. Those are staggering numbers, to be sure, so when the city's taxi and limousine department put out the tender for its "Taxi of Tomorrow," it was an ambitious - and important - project.

Nissan's NV200 bid ended up getting the contract (although other manufacturers have since gained approval as well. We've already seen what the van-based shuttler will look like from the curb, but a taxi cab certainly isn't about exterior styling. Like a certain Arabian beggar in a Disney movie, it's what's inside that counts. And that's just what Nissan is demonstrating with a special exposition in New York.

Opening tomorrow on the pedestrian plaza across from the iconic Flatiron Building at Broadway and Fifth, Nissan's Taxi of Tomorrow Design Expo will showcase the full interior of the NV200 Taxi. The cab is accessed via sliding doors (for easier ingress and egress in the city's tight spaces), a panorama roof to let tourists enjoy the upwards view (real New Yorkers, of course, never look up), a flat floor, a large cargo area for luggage, USB charging outlet, easily cleanable surfaces and an air-filtration and climate-control system independent of the driver's.

Sounds to us like a nice place in which to cruise around the city, at least while all that stuff is still in working order. But don't take our word for it: check out the high-res images in the gallery for a closer look - including a nifty infographic on taxi usage in the city - and the details in the press release after the jump. Or if you're in the area, stop by the expo from Tuesday through Saturday of this week.

Continue reading Nissan shows New Yorkers the inside of its new taxi

Nissan shows New Yorkers the inside of its new taxi originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Oct 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Non-hybrid Altima and Impala also approved as NYC taxis, but not for long

Zach Bowman — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Work, Chevrolet, Nissan

The New York Taxi and Limousine Commission has approved the Nissan Altima and Chevrolet Impala, which join the Ford Transit Connect, on the list of vehicles approved as interim taxi cabs for the Big Apple. According to USA Today, New York cab companies are permitted to purchase those models for fleet duty until the Nissan NV200 "Taxi of Tomorrow" goes on sale. The NV200 beat out competitive designs from Ford and the Turkish Karsan V1 to earn the taxi commission's nod, though the Nissan isn't set to be available until 2013 at the earliest.

In the meantime, cab companies are going to need vehicles to replace their aging fleets of Ford Crown Victoria sedans. That's where the new models come in. Once incorporated into cab company stables, they can remain until they retire, even past the 2013 arrival of the NV200. Once that date arrives, however, the Nissan Van will be the official vehicle of the New York taxi service.

Click past the break for an official press release from Nissan.

Continue reading Non-hybrid Altima and Impala also approved as NYC taxis, but not for long

Non-hybrid Altima and Impala also approved as NYC taxis, but not for long originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Jul 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford Transit Connect Taxi approved for NYC cab duty

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 17:31:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Government/Legal, Ford

New York City's post-Crown-Victoria future is becoming clearer. It was nearly a year ago that the selection of the future NYC yellow taxi was narrowed to three: the Nissan NV200, Ford Transit Connect Taxi and the Turkish entry, the Karsan V1. And although the Karsan was the people's choice, the Nissan NV200 was chosen as the official livery chariot for the next ten years.

Interestingly, even though the NV200 has 'official' status, the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) can approve other vehicles for the fleet, and that's just what they've gone and done with the Transit Connect Taxi. That means that taxi companies can choose to add the yellow, 2.0-liter gas-powered van to their stables if they choose (and presumably their upcoming CNG and EV models as well). The approval opens another door to the Transit's by-the-mile transit victories, joining to Boston, Philadelphia and Orlando and California. Also of note is that it joins another Ford product that received the nod in New York - the Taurus.

There's a press release after the jump with more information. No word on whether the folks from Turkey can expect similar news anytime soon.

Continue reading Ford Transit Connect Taxi approved for NYC cab duty

Ford Transit Connect Taxi approved for NYC cab duty originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Jul 2011 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan wins bid to be next New York City taxi *UPDATE

Zach Bowman — Tue, 03 May 2011 10:59:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Etc., Government/Legal, Work, Nissan

Nissan NV200 Taxi - Click above for high-res image

We now know what the future of the New York City taxi will look like. According to Reuters, the city's Taxi and Limousine Commission has awarded Nissan a 10-year contract to produce the vehicles. The Japanese automaker beat out both Ford and a Turkish automaker to cinch the deal worth more than $1 billion. Nissan will be responsible for building one single vehicle to replace the 16 models that are currently authorized to ferry New York City residents around the Big Apple. The company's design was based on the NV200, and the minivan is expected to begin arriving on the job in early 2013.

Reuters reports that Turkish company Karsan Otomotive was an early favorite thanks to its unique handicap-accessible design and full-panel glass roof. The automaker had also planned to assemble the vehicles in Brooklyn with union labor. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is expected to make an official announcement later today.

*Update: Nissan's official press release has been added after the jump.

Continue reading Nissan wins bid to be next New York City taxi *UPDATE

Nissan wins bid to be next New York City taxi *UPDATE originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 May 2011 10:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Turkish firm Karsan pledges to build NY taxi in Brooklyn

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 07:58:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing

Karsan V1 New York City Taxi - Click above for high-res image gallery

Three manufacturers remain in the running to be the chosen supplier for New York's "Taxi of Tomorrow": Ford, Nissan and Turkish firm Karsan. In an informal poll conducted by the New York Taxi and Limousine Commission - the same body that will be deciding which of the three gets the milk and roses - New Yorkers chose the Karsan. Now Karsan wants to make the Commission's job even easier by promising to build its taxi in Brooklyn if it's chosen.

Previously, all three makers said they'd be building their vehicles overseas (the Transit Connect is built in Turkey, the Nissan NV200 in Japan). Perhaps sensing a huge opportunity to bring the four-year process to an end, last month Karsan turned tack and said it would build the V1 at the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal, in Brooklyn's waterfront Sunset Park complex, creating up to 800 jobs. It might not only be about getting ahead with the public, however: the powertrain for the Karsan V1 comes from Chrysler, in Michigan.

What the Karsan lacks in looks it makes up for in its powerplant modularity, handicapped accessibility, and expansive glass roof. Karsan has said a Sunset Park factory would cost $100 million, a pittance in light of the billion-dollar contract it's trying to win and being the yellow-cab-of-record in movies for the foreseeable future. Thanks for the tip, Julio!

Gallery: Karsan V1 New York City Taxi concept

[Source: New York Daily News]

Turkish firm Karsan pledges to build NY taxi in Brooklyn originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Apr 2011 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New York cabbies to get stiffer dress code?

Zach Bowman — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Work

The image of the laid-back New York City cabbie may not be long for this world. According to Yahoo News and WNYC, the New York Taxi and Limousine Commission had been slated to vote on a new rule that could force the drivers to maintain a "professional appearance," but that vote has now been postponed until the end of next month.

As of right now, cabbies are simply required to be clean and neat and forbidden from wearing swim suits, tank tops and the like while behind the wheel. Needless to say, the chauffeurs of the Big Apple aren't exactly thrilled about the change - some are particularly fearful that the new rule will impact their ability to wear ethnic or religious clothing.

As the argument goes, the Taxi and Limousine Commission believes that cab drivers are the city's ambassadors - the first people most visitors are likely to come in contact with on a visit - and that they should be dressed accordingly. What's more, the organization admits that isn't really even something that they think they can enforce in any legal way. Instead, the move is more about reminding cab drivers of exactly how important they are to the city's tourism industry.

[Sources: Yahoo News, WNYC | Image: tomodea, CC 2.0]

New York cabbies to get stiffer dress code? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Dec 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New York City taxi finalists narrowed to Ford, Nissan and Turkish manufacturer

Zach Bowman — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Work, Ford, Nissan, Specialty

Ford Transit Connect NYC Taxi Cab - Click above for high-res image gallery

New York City is one step closer to choosing its next official taxi cab. With the Ford Crown Victoria getting on in years, the city is looking for a more efficient and functional way to move its citizens around. So far, the designs have been whittled down to three choices, and no matter who comes out on top, you can bet that the world will be seeing a lot more minivans in the Big Apple. Nissan, Ford and a Turkish company by the name of Karsan all have designs in the final round, and each eschews the traditional sedan taxi form in favor of something with a taller roof line.

Right now, New York City uses a fleet of 13,200 cabs built by a variety of manufacturers, but none of the vehicles are purpose-built people movers. For the next generation, NYC wanted a vehicle that was specifically designed to handle the average 70,000 miles of stop-and-go abuse per year that the city's taxi fleet endures.

Ford has thrown a version of its Transit Connect into the fracas, while Nissan's effort looks to be an industrial minivan that the company says could be fully electric in just a few years. Meanwhile, the Karsan design is spacious and wheel-chair accessible.

The winning design is set to be selected next year, with the new cabs hitting the street by the Fall of 2014. Thanks to all for the tips!

Gallery: New York City Taxi Cab Proposals

[Sources: NPR, WNYC]

New York City taxi finalists narrowed to Ford, Nissan and Turkish manufacturer originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Surprise! New York cabbies prefer Crown Vics to hybrids

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 08:59:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Work, Ford

If it weren't for the somewhat obsessive and frankly narrow-minded love by taxi drivers and police officers for the body-on-frame Ford Crown Victoria, we'd imagine the old Panther platform would have been put out to pasture a very long time ago. As it stands, though, New York cabbies especially seem hell-bent on keeping it around on life support as long as possible.

Interestingly, though, a report from USA Today suggests that cab drivers make more money when operating a Crown Vic than any other automobile, and that supposedly includes hybrids. According to John Shaban, a 27-year-old cab driver, "I don't like the hybrids... Mechanics charge an arm and a leg for them."

Could it be that customers inherently prefer the Crown Vic? Shaban believes so, saying, "People wait for the Crown Vic because it's roomier. They're more likely to get in." Regardless, that's all set to change soon as Ford finally discontinues its long-running rear-wheel-drive people mover. It's expected to be replaced with - you guessed it - a hybrid or some other fuel efficient alternative.

[Source: USA Today | Image: Emmanuel Dunand/AFP/Getty]

Surprise! New York cabbies prefer Crown Vics to hybrids originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jul 2010 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Giugiaro Quaranta taxi concept picks up fares in Rome

Noah Joseph — Thu, 13 May 2010 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, Europe, Specialty

Italdesign-Giugiaro Quaranta concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Hail a taxi in most American cities, and what are you likely to ride in? A Ford Crown Vic, maybe a minivan or an Escape Hybrid. But a few lucky residents of Rome had something decidedly more exotic recently when stoic carrozzeria Italdesign-Giugiaro outfitted its Quaranta concept with a meter, dome light and white paintjob to pull taxi duty around the Italian capital. Brave of them - have you ever tried navigating the overcrowded streets of Rome on anything larger than a Vespa? Good luck.

The Quaranta concept was unveiled at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show to commemorate the design house's 40th anniversary. The exotic shape is powered by the Toyota Synergy Drive found in the Lexus RX400h, complete with 3.3-liter V6, electric motor and continuously variable transmission and supplemented by solar panels. Billed (at the time, at least) as the world's fastest hybrid, the Quaranta is said to be capable of shuttling its occupants - or paying fare, in this case - to sixty in 4.2 seconds. Now, to the Spanish Steps, double-time!

Gallery: Italdesign Giugiaro Quaranta Concept

[Source: The Sun via World Car Fans]

Giugiaro Quaranta taxi concept picks up fares in Rome originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 May 2010 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen unveils electric Milano Taxi concept in Hanover

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Europe, Work, Hatchback, Volkswagen, Misc. Auto Shows, Electric

Volkswagen Milano Taxi concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

Volkswagen is unveiling a new compact battery-powered taxi concept called the Milano at the Hanover Trade Show in Germany this week. The styling draws heavily on the Space Up! Blue concept that debuted at the 2007 LA Auto Show. One big difference, however, is that VW designers have eliminated the rear door on the driver's side so that passengers can only get in and out at the curb. The curb-side portal has likewise been expanded with a large forward-sliding door and the front passenger seat has given way to luggage space. The Milano Taxi concept also features a similar touch screen monitor setup to those already being used in some New York City cabs.

Like the production electric vehicles that Volkswagen will start building from 2013, the Milano Taxi uses lithium ion batteries. A 45 kilowatt-hour pack is mounted in the floor and provides a claimed 186-mile driving range on the EU driving cycle. The Milano Taxi is purely a concept at this point, but since it appears to be based on Volkswagen's "New Small Family" of low- and zero-emissions vehicles, we wouldn't be surprised to see the German automaker put a similar vehicle into production as an easy way to get more electric vehicles into the field a few years from now. High-res shots below, press release after the jump.

Gallery: Volkswagen Milano Taxi concept

[Source: Volkswagen]

Continue reading Volkswagen unveils electric Milano Taxi concept in Hanover

Volkswagen unveils electric Milano Taxi concept in Hanover originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Apr 2010 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: cabbie takes fares on a 6,500km taxi ride around Western Australia

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 11:21:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Work, Australia

To clarify, he's not taking just one fare, but a bunch of fares from all around the world. The purpose is The Extraordinary Taxi Ride, set up by the state of Western Australia's tourism office to promote what many consider a rather remote region of the world. Out of 460 cabbies who applied for the job, Bunbury, Western Australia taxi driver Doug Slater was the one chosen by the Internet masses, and so he will be trekking fares from Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, and Germany through about 4,000 miles of WA glory.

Although the trip started with a dead battery, things appear to be moving nicely now. You can check out a video of Slater after the jump, or follow the progress at the Extraordinary Taxi Ride site. Good luck to all involved, and good on ya, Doug-o...

Sources: News.com.au, Extraordinary Taxi Ride]

Continue reading Report: cabbie takes fares on a 6,500km taxi ride around Western Australia

Report: cabbie takes fares on a 6,500km taxi ride around Western Australia originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Apr 2010 11:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: AM General-built taxi cab gets restyled before production

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Work, Hummer, Specialty

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]

Spy Shots: AM General-built taxi cab gets restyled before production originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Mar 2009 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MetroKing, America's first domestically-made taxi since Checker?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:31:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Work, Chevrolet, GM

Click on the image above for a gallery of MetroKing's new taxi

Although the two events seemingly have nothing to do with each other, a new company called MetroKing has sprung up that hopes of manufacturing cabs in America just as former taxi maker Checker has filed for bankruptcy.

Starting with the underpinnings from a two-wheel drive Chevrolet Colorado Chassis Cab Work Truck, MetroKing replaces the pickup bed with a passenger compartment of its own design that features room for six occupants. The company points out that their design is fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, being wheelchair accessible through a unique side access ramp. Interestingly, luggage rides alongside the driver on a dedicated tray, there is no passenger seating next to the driver. Thankfully, air conditioning is standard for the passenger compartment.

MetroKing offers its cab with either General Motors' 185-horsepower 2.9-liter four-cylinder engine or the larger 3.7L inline-five with 242-horsepower. In either case, both are mated to a standard four-speed automatic transmission.

We're not sure we care for the vehicle's London taxi-meets-cable-guy-truck aesthetics, but it's hard to argue with the potential versatility here. If nothing else, we like that the vehicle is built in the U.S. (Ford's Crown Victoria is built in Canada), and it has some nifty features, including a rear passenger compartment that can be removed as a single unit and refurbished for further use after its donor vehicle has been worn out. As veteran cab passengers, that sounds like a welcome development to us. Thanks for the tip, Michael!

Gallery: MetroKing taxi

[Source: MetroKing]

MetroKing, America's first domestically-made taxi since Checker? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Jan 2009 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AM General to produce Standard Taxi cabs?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:06:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, SUV, Plants/Manufacturing, Hummer, Military, Specialty

It sure ain't pretty, though beauty, in this case, is likely in the eye of the beholder. A few years back, a new take on the taxi was provided by Standard Taxi, a company based in Troy, Michigan. The design for the purpose-built people hauler uses GM running gear and is able to haul four passengers in relative comfort. We hadn't heard a peep from the company until today when we learned that Standard is now working on negotiations with AM General to build the vehicle in its plant in Mishawaka, Indiana, where AM General builds the Hummer H2 SUV and SUT. So far, no announcements have been made regarding whether or not the plant would continue working full-time in the face of lagging Hummer sales, though we imagine that plenty of excess capacity is available. According to AM General, the deal would in no way impact the assembly of military Hummer models.

We can't say whether a production version of the Standard Taxi would feature the pushrod 4.3-liter V6 that the concept had underhood, though there are plenty of options from the GM parts-bin from which to pilfer. A Standard Taxi equipped with GM's 2-Mode hybrid system could prove to be extremely well-suited for taxi duty in some of the world's toughest environments.

[Source: Hummer Guy]

AM General to produce Standard Taxi cabs? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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