Taxi, anyone?

Yeah - but Nissan got some bad news yesterday. A judge today ruled that the TLC had no authority to give Nissan a ten-year contract making the NV200 the exclusive taxicab of the city.

http://wot.motortrend.com/hail-no-nissan-nv200-taxi-of-tomorrow-shot-down-by-ny-supreme-court-2-414679.html#ixzz2hCRnXUtc

why are they showing off a NY taxi in tokyo? speaking of which, the taxis in japan need a serious makeover. most of them look 20 or 30 years old and have the fuel efficiency of an old tank.

The judge's ruling is good news for Toyota and Honda! But this Nissan NV200 is pretty cool, with its skylight so passengers can see the skyline.

rickyvee

I thought Japan's taxis run off natural gas.

I'm surprised taxi companies buy imported vehicles. You'd think the US manufactures would be all over the deal to provide thousands of vehicles to NYC. Think of the brand recognition and free advertising every time your logo passes a citizen. Surely Ford or GM could have come up with something? I don't mean to say Nissan makes poor quality vehicles (I drive a Skyline here in Japan and a 300zx in the US) but I'm just surprised. Certainly looks like an interesting ride!

. You'd think the US manufactures would be all over the deal to provide thousands of vehicles to NYC. Think of the brand recognition and free advertising every time your logo passes a citizen. Surely Ford or GM could have come up with something?

Well the current NY cab is an awful Ford 7-seater with 2 rows of passenger seats that mean that leave so little leg room that it is the world's least comfortable ride. This exists alongside the classic 4-seater sedan that is so old that it is like stepping back 30 years or so.

taxis in japan need a serious makeover. most of them look 20 or 30 years old and have the fuel efficiency of an old tank.

Not compared to NY taxis they don't. They may have an "early-90s" look, but are clean and comfortable, even if they do smell of stale tobacco.

most of them look 20 or 30 years old and have the fuel efficiency of an old tank.

I thought Japan's taxis run off natural gas

yes, LNG, I think.

look 20 or 30 years old and have the fuel efficiency of an old tank.

I see many Prius (es), Honda Insight(s) and even a few Nissan (all electric ) Leafs (Leaves) driving around Sendai.

I wonder where Rickyvee is writing from?

I LOVE Redbull sports.

Actually, most taxis in Japan nowadays are Toyota Comfort models, which have engines fueled by natural gas and are well-liked by taxi companies (mostly because it has a reputation like the now-discontinued Ford Crown Victoria in the USA--very reliable, lots of mechanics know how to fix them, and plentiful spare parts available). Go to any airport or major train station in Japan and you see a large number of Comfort taxis waiting at the taxi stands.

I doubt Nissan would offer the NV200 as a taxi in Japan, because its physical size makes it impractical for Japan's many narrow streets in Tokyo and Osaka.

LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) is not "natural gas" and the jury is out as to whether it is a cleaner fuel than petrol or diesel. It is cheap though, thanks to vastly reduced taxes, which is why those in the know convert their cars to run on the stuff...

@ah_so

That's what I'm saying. The newer fords are very comfortable. My father has a Focus sedan as his work car, and it is very stylish, reliable, comfortable, and it gets excellent gas milage. I have little experience with vans recently, but again I'm just surprised the domestics aren't jumping through hoops to get such a contract.

IIRC, NYC (originally) wanted a hybrid minivan, and among the bids, Nissan supposedly was the one that met NYC's timetable and cost.

NYC should introduce diesel BMW and MBs as taxis,like they do here in Germany.Very Comfortable and cost-effective!