London Black Cabs Arrive in Aus

[stazza]

http://www.caradvice.com.au/251834/l...and-australia/

A fleet of London black cabs has arrived in Australia as the company behind the retro-styled runabouts seeks to take a slice of the local taxi market.

The white-painted TX4 vehicles arrived at Fremantle port over the weekend on a boat from China where they are produced by Shanghai-based Geely – the new owner of the previously cash-strapped London Taxi Company.

The “hot-condition” cabs, equipped with stronger air conditioning units and larger batteries, radiators and alternators, will be trialled in a number of states over the coming months as the manufacturer aims to convince local authorities, operators and drivers of the cabs’ benefits.

London Taxi Company CEO Evan Simeon told AAP his company was in negotiations with the states ahead of the launch of the trial program.

“We will do our due diligence, and so will the states, and hopefully these taxis will be out on the road somewhere soon,” Simeon said.

london-black-cabs-white-inside

He says the TX4’s purpose-built design made it better suited to the task than Australia’s traditional sedan-based taxis.

“When you have a look at the majority of taxis, they are converted sedans which were not built to be cabs and so are not fit for the purpose.”

The ‘hot-condition’ cabs were successfully deployed in the Middle East several years ago.

The Victorian Government’s 2012 review into the taxi industry suggested the London black cabs “should be allowed to operate in the Victorian fleet”, and recommended “more flexibility be incorporated into the federal and state standards to allow these vehicles to be used”.

Thoughts on these replacing our Aussie cabs?

[new2ford]

There were some brought out some years ago iirc. I remember seeing them operate in Sydney. Didn't seem to last long.

They weren't much competition for a Falcon, but if operators are taking to using Priuses nowadays they might be a genuine (spacious) alternative!

[OffRoadFalcon]

I haven't been keeping up with this at all, but I thought I read some time ago that the London cab company went under?

[TheInterceptor]

Originally Posted by Mr. Grinzy

I haven't been keeping up with this at all, but I thought I read some time ago that the London cab company went under?

They were bought out by Geely


I wonder how theyll go.. im curious to go ride in one. I still prefer to see Falcons as cabs. But down here, they still use good ol' reliable AU's so Freo can keep them imports!

[wookie836]

do these geely cabs have a 5 star ancap rating like the commodore/falcon/camry? i cant see how the reports claim of using these cars will improve safety and service to the cab industry? which govt official brokered a deal with geely to get this happening over using our own locally built vehicles.

[XRGhia]

I'll still prefer to see a Falcon/Commodore used as a Taxi, then once they're gone, some other locally manufactured 4 door full sized sedan. None of this import stuff.



edit: would you seriously want to be seen in something like this?

[strobe]

The local manufacturing stuff aside. Black cabs are exceedingly convenient as a user. I spend just under 4 years living in london, and I'd be more than happy to be seen in the back of one. You can fit 5 people in the back and still take luggage (that goes in the front next to the driver). We used to regularly have 4 adults and a pram in the back, which can roll in, although that probably wouldn't be legal in this country! If it was just me, or me and someone then a falcon is great. If you've got 4 (or 5) boofheads then black cab all day.

[BHDOGS]

i wish Australia would stop stealing other peoples culture and get some of its own

[2011G6E]

Originally Posted by strobe

The local manufacturing stuff aside. Black cabs are exceedingly convenient as a user. I spend just under 4 years living in london, and I'd be more than happy to be seen in the back of one. You can fit 5 people in the back and still take luggage (that goes in the front next to the driver). We used to regularly have 4 adults and a pram in the back, which can roll in, although that probably wouldn't be legal in this country! If it was just me, or me and someone then a falcon is great. If you've got 4 (or 5) boofheads then black cab all day.

That's what I've heard and read about them...and amazingly well thought out package, specially built to carry passengers, not just a family car being used as a passenger carrying vehicle.

It'd be a great idea to bring modified ones here to suit our conditions (the air con, radiators, etc they mentioned), about time we did the sensible thing, looked at the best of what the world has to offer, and turn it to our own advantage.
Why do we "have" to have a four door sedan as a taxi? Why does it "need" to be a Falcon or Commodore? When other people are doing something better, take note of what they're doing, and adapt it and do it better yourself.

[GasoLane]

I wonder if the local cabbies driving them will be as 'knowledgeable' as the London ones

[Chopped]

Originally Posted by BHDOGS

i wish Australia would stop stealing other peoples culture and get some of its own

Australia has a car culture. Ford & Holden or more specifically Falcon & Commodore.
Ford killed Falcon and you want the Commodore to die, so where else can we source vehicles suitable to be used as taxis etc ?

[Kayos]

Thats a joke to say the least, why would you import these boxes with all our options. bet they wouldn't handle the aussie conditions like the Fords!

Some years back, if the battle GM v Ford topic came up I'd raise the card "jump in a cab and ask the driver, what would you rather drive" in vic the drivers answers were 98% Ford. Thats when the drivers still spoke halflish... (half something/ english)

[FG50T]

I had a great time using the black cabs in London as well. Better than jumping into a whining, clunky Falcon. They were more convenient too imo.

[flooded one]

I cant see the commodore being around too much longer after the falcon goes unfortunately. why not just use the Camry Hybrid?? it mightn't be Australian designed but it is built here. the prius is useless as a Taxi IMO. I wish they'd can the prius as a taxi. its ok as a front passenger but annoying as a back passenger, just stick too falcon/commodore and camry. only go import if/when all three go

[redxm]

it would have to be better than a ssanyong van...

prius's suck too

[zipping]

Its been tried before and from talking to the drivers that had them I was told they had terrible reliability issues and suspension just didn't hold up in Oz conditions.

Maybe they are better cars these days. This was the early 90s last time I saw 1 on the road in Melb.

[Jastel]

^^^THIS

and lack of spare parts and cost.

I can get an ex govt falcon for $15000 ish, how much are these???

Operators are usually after the cheapest/most reliable combo...until recently that has been the Falcon.

It has been tried a few times before...maybe in 2022 when there are no more Falcons I may consider it.

I had no dramas with them in London though.

[Kayos]

Originally Posted by FG50T

I had a great time using the black cabs in London as well. Better than jumping into a whining, clunky Falcon. They were more convenient too imo.

wow having a great time using a cab while on holiday...
vs the falcon with 750,000+ klms on it and the drivers from hells bells freshly spiced up without rexona...

What can i say, there's a few falcons I'd rather be in during a collision than that guessing Korean built thing...
your bashing a falcon vs these?? your on aff because??

[Ben73]

What engine these have in them? What size are they compared to a car we have on the roads here?
Last as long as Falcons do?

[GTPete]

Black, that's a smart colour for the Australian summer.

[Spammy]

Originally Posted by GTPete

Black, that's a smart colour for the Australian summer.

That are called "black cabs" but actually come in all colours.

[Spammy]

Originally Posted by Ben73

What engine these have in them? What size are they compared to a car we have on the roads here?
Last as long as Falcons do?

They are diesel powered and can fit 4 or 5 people in the back and are about the same length as a Falcon.

[Spammy]

Oddly, London cabbies are now allowed to use Mercedes Vans as cabs.

[swanee]

Wont see to many of them around international airports. Unless they are good at towing a trailer for luggage.

[strobe]

Your luggage goes in the passenger side next to the driver, there's no seat there. You can easily fit 3 full sized suitcases and hand luggage.

[new2ford]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

I wonder if the local cabbies driving them will be as 'knowledgeable' as the London ones

They could sell them with a "The Knowledge" software pack installed.

[FNQracing]

The biggest anti-ad for the Falcon are Taxis. 99% of the population has sampled the Falcon by riding in a taxi. 99% of Falcon Taxis stink, are filthy, make horrible noises and just plain stink.

What impression do you think most average punters are left with?

A Ford fan will see reliability, toughness, adaptability and ruggedness. Everyone else sees vomit stains. Gotta buy one of these! Not.

[Road_Warrior]

Your luggage goes in the passenger compartment with you on the floor, there is plenty of room in them. I've used them heaps of times.

Falcon has always been the cabbie favourite because of its durability, running costs on LPG and relative ease of repair, but from a practicality standpoint of moving people point to point, the London cab is better. Whether it can hold a candle to the Falcon in the areas I mentioned remains to be seen and I guess the manufacturer needs to convince cab operators of this.

[mac_man_luke]

can't say iv seen many if any new falcons as cabs in SA.

If the cab is not a B series then its a camry or prius.

[4VCLEVO]

Those fold down seats look comfy.