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Hail, the new London cab
26.06.08
The London black cab faces competition for the first time in years today as a new peoplecarrier-style taxi goes on sale.
The Mercedes-Benz Vito has sliding doors, electric steps and seating for six people. The familiar TX4, made by London Taxis International, seats five.
It also has rear-wheel steering that lets it meet the capital's strict 25ft turning circle rule and is able to carry two wheelchairs compared to its rival's one. Mercedes claims it will also be more fuel efficient.
Orders have already been placed for the Spanish-built Vito, which is expected to match the TX4's price tag of £34,000.
LTI is expected to launch an all-electric taxi, the TX4E, next year. Metrocab stopped building taxis in 2002.
Reader views (4)
Here's a sample of the latest views published.
LTI have made enough profit for years as a monopoly supplier - why should they be subsidized to keep that monopoly?
- Andrew Heenan, London, UK
who in their right mind would want to stop, press a button, then do a u turn? A black cab would have done the u turn and took the job by the time the vito gets to the other side of the road so i agree with above mark london lets make them cheaper
- Anthony Keppel, manchester
Just as long I can wear my top hat in the back.
- Peter, SW France
Taxi drivers need a purpose built vehicle made using modern labour saving technology to bring the price down, not a van converted by a middleman which costs the same or more than the TX4!
What is wrong with the motor industry that it cannot produce a modern vehicle on a production line for less than £25k?
If the new Merc takes sales away from the TX4, LTI will simply move production to their new paymasters location-China. Goodbye to another British Manufacturer. Government should've given LTI help to reduce the cost instead of allowing Ken Livingstone to heap yet more costs on!
- Mark, London uk