Introducing the next generation of New York cabs: The (bright yellow, of course) taxi van
By Daily Mail Reporter
Updated: 04:38 EDT, 5 May 2011
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The familiar canary yellow exterior and loud horn have made New York taxis as much a part of the Big Apple's tourist landscape as its iconic skyscrapers. However, visitors to the city will soon notice an altogether sleeker incarnation of the cab on Manhattan's streets.
That's because Japan's Nissan Motor Co Ltd won New York City's 10-year contract to build the next generation of taxis for the city, a deal estimated to be worth more than $1 billion.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the city's Taxi and Limousine Commission made the announcement, adding that Nissan's winning NV 200 minivan will be made in Mexico, then converted into cabs in the U.S.
The next taxi: New York officials chose Nissan's minivan-like entry over rivals, in a 10-year deal that could be worth $1 billion
The other two finalists for the concession were Turkish manufacturer Karsan Otomotiv and U.S. automaker Ford Motor Co.
The 'Taxi of Tomorrow' will replace the 16 models now authorized.
The 10-year contract is expected to begin in 2013.
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Karsan's bid had gained notice because of its design for a transparent roof for better sight-seeing and a ramp that would make it wheelchair accessible off the factory floor.
Karsan also hoped to gain favor with city officials by promising to assemble the cars in Brooklyn, vowing to use union labor. The plant would have marked a return of auto-making to the city for first time in about a century.
However, Mayor Bloomberg said he thought the plan to build in New York was too ambitious given the short time table of only two years.
There are more than 13,200 taxis currently in service in bonus new member York, made up of 16 different models, the most recognisable being Ford's Crown Victoria, which was recently discontinued.
Stick your bag in the boot: The internal shot of the Nissan design, which is said to be especially roomy
None of the vehicles on the road now was originally designed to be used as a taxi, which typically drives 70,000 miles a year and has its doors slammed 60 to 70 times a day.
All have been adapted but for the next official taxi, City Hall wanted a bespoke model.
'Although the city has long set standards for our taxis, we have never before worked with the auto industry to design a taxicab especially for New York City — that is, until now,' Mayor Michael Bloomberg said.
The winning design will have the opportunity to be picked for other cities throughout the U.S.
Mayor Bloomberg said: 'It's going to be the safest, most comfortable and most convenient cab the city has ever had'.
Slated amenities include front and side curtain airbags, anti-microbial upholstery, a 12-volt outlet and two USB plugs for passengers to charge gadgets, a transparent roof (with shade) and a navigation system.
Changing times: The iconic checker cab of past decades was replaced by Ford's Crown Victoria, which will soon give way to Nissan's minivan design
Also ran: In 2005, Mayor Bloomberg announced that future city taxis would have to be hybrids, but a successful challenge by taxi drivers blocked the plan. Today, some hybrid taxis still take fares
THE NEW CAB
Make: Nissan
Model: NV 200
Year city called for new designs: 2007
Year new cabs hit streets: 2013
Estimated price: $29,000
Estimated MPG: 25
MPG of current cabs: 12
Made in: Mexico
Cab conversion in: USA
Of the three finalists, the Nissan design most resembles a traditional minivan. (Some critics say it looks like an appliance, perhaps a dustbuster, but then so have other minivans.)
The Karsan proposal looks a bit like a Smart Car and the Ford submission evokes a sort of European ambulance.
Taxi and Limousine Commissioner David Yassky described Nissan's design as the roomiest and the most ambitious in terms of sustainability. The manufacturer's proposal 'aspires to a fully electric vehicle at some point,' he said.
The van, which is based on models on sale in Europe and Asia, is said to get 25 miles per gallon in fuel economy.
Yassky said Ford is a trusted partner with its history of making Crown Victoria taxis and other models, and Karsan offered a proposal with an eye-pleasing design, roomy interior and accessibility.
The three finalists were chosen from seven submissions.
A popular poll had favored the Karsan while a survey of taxi operators favored the Ford, since the sector is used to working on the company's Crown Victorias.
Some 240 million people are driven in New York City taxis a year.
Getting around: New York City taxis average 70,000 miles and 60 door slams per year
By Daily Mail Reporter
Updated: 04:38 EDT, 5 May 2011
2
View
comments
The familiar canary yellow exterior and loud horn have made New York taxis as much a part of the Big Apple's tourist landscape as its iconic skyscrapers. However, visitors to the city will soon notice an altogether sleeker incarnation of the cab on Manhattan's streets.
That's because Japan's Nissan Motor Co Ltd won New York City's 10-year contract to build the next generation of taxis for the city, a deal estimated to be worth more than $1 billion.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the city's Taxi and Limousine Commission made the announcement, adding that Nissan's winning NV 200 minivan will be made in Mexico, then converted into cabs in the U.S.
The next taxi: New York officials chose Nissan's minivan-like entry over rivals, in a 10-year deal that could be worth $1 billion
The other two finalists for the concession were Turkish manufacturer Karsan Otomotiv and U.S. automaker Ford Motor Co.
The 'Taxi of Tomorrow' will replace the 16 models now authorized.
The 10-year contract is expected to begin in 2013.
RELATED ARTICLES
Previous
1
2
Next
American Airlines rapped over search for 'best looking'... Spend the night with Shrek! Cartoon hotel suites take off in...
A bite of the Big Apple: Five great places to eat in New...
Share this article
Share
Karsan's bid had gained notice because of its design for a transparent roof for better sight-seeing and a ramp that would make it wheelchair accessible off the factory floor.
Karsan also hoped to gain favor with city officials by promising to assemble the cars in Brooklyn, vowing to use union labor. The plant would have marked a return of auto-making to the city for first time in about a century.
However, Mayor Bloomberg said he thought the plan to build in New York was too ambitious given the short time table of only two years.
There are more than 13,200 taxis currently in service in bonus new member York, made up of 16 different models, the most recognisable being Ford's Crown Victoria, which was recently discontinued.
Stick your bag in the boot: The internal shot of the Nissan design, which is said to be especially roomy
None of the vehicles on the road now was originally designed to be used as a taxi, which typically drives 70,000 miles a year and has its doors slammed 60 to 70 times a day.
All have been adapted but for the next official taxi, City Hall wanted a bespoke model.
'Although the city has long set standards for our taxis, we have never before worked with the auto industry to design a taxicab especially for New York City — that is, until now,' Mayor Michael Bloomberg said.
The winning design will have the opportunity to be picked for other cities throughout the U.S.
Mayor Bloomberg said: 'It's going to be the safest, most comfortable and most convenient cab the city has ever had'.
Slated amenities include front and side curtain airbags, anti-microbial upholstery, a 12-volt outlet and two USB plugs for passengers to charge gadgets, a transparent roof (with shade) and a navigation system.
Changing times: The iconic checker cab of past decades was replaced by Ford's Crown Victoria, which will soon give way to Nissan's minivan design
Also ran: In 2005, Mayor Bloomberg announced that future city taxis would have to be hybrids, but a successful challenge by taxi drivers blocked the plan. Today, some hybrid taxis still take fares
THE NEW CAB
Make: Nissan
Model: NV 200
Year city called for new designs: 2007
Year new cabs hit streets: 2013
Estimated price: $29,000
Estimated MPG: 25
MPG of current cabs: 12
Made in: Mexico
Cab conversion in: USA
Of the three finalists, the Nissan design most resembles a traditional minivan. (Some critics say it looks like an appliance, perhaps a dustbuster, but then so have other minivans.)
The Karsan proposal looks a bit like a Smart Car and the Ford submission evokes a sort of European ambulance.
Taxi and Limousine Commissioner David Yassky described Nissan's design as the roomiest and the most ambitious in terms of sustainability. The manufacturer's proposal 'aspires to a fully electric vehicle at some point,' he said.
The van, which is based on models on sale in Europe and Asia, is said to get 25 miles per gallon in fuel economy.
Yassky said Ford is a trusted partner with its history of making Crown Victoria taxis and other models, and Karsan offered a proposal with an eye-pleasing design, roomy interior and accessibility.
The three finalists were chosen from seven submissions.
A popular poll had favored the Karsan while a survey of taxi operators favored the Ford, since the sector is used to working on the company's Crown Victorias.
Some 240 million people are driven in New York City taxis a year.
Getting around: New York City taxis average 70,000 miles and 60 door slams per year