New Victorian Taxi design

[RASER]

Game over for the Falcon as a taxi, and perhaps LPG for taxi use?

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/vic...-1226477630413

BUT a chance for FoA [and others] to capture the market

Gut feeling, it has going to have to be van based, perhaps Transit-Connect?

http://www.ford.com/trucks/transitconnect/

Ford HQ have already done all the hard work:

https://www.fleet.ford.com/showroom/...ransittaxi.asp

DON'T STUFF THIS UP FoA!

[Wretched]

ah aren't taxis second hand cars and not new generally?

To be honest I'm all for this idea of a standardised taxi.

[Nikked]

Most taxis are secondhand, and not even factory e-gas i thought...

[RASER]

Originally Posted by Nikked

Most taxis are secondhand, and not even factory e-gas i thought...k

Not anymore, in Victoria the whole industry is getting a complete and comprehensive change

Starting with the cost of a lics. from the $500k mark to $20k [poor guys that paid 1/2 mil. will NOT be compensated!]

The whole taxi industry in Vic. will be changed, the vehicle is inc. in the change program

Also the Falcon and sedans in general are not suitable, too small and dangerous for the driver, it was in the Prof Fels repot as unsuitable for taxi use

Your always quick to reply and complain though!!,,,,,,,,build a bridge!!

[ELCHASER]

Also in adelaide we have prius taxis.. Use less fuel/lpg but still get charged the same as the thirstier commodores/falcons.. I agree one make taxis australia wide

[Moby Vic]

Mayor Bloomberg outlawed Crown Vics as taxis in New York City. You don't want to see the thing that's going to replace them.

[RASER]

Originally Posted by ELCHASER

Also in adelaide we have prius taxis.. Use less fuel/lpg but still get charged the same as the thirstier commodores/falcons.. I agree one make taxis australia wide

We have its brother here in Vic., starting to see Camry hybrids as taxis

But here in Vic. its really Falcon first, NOTHING 2nd.......

As per the Fels Report, its all going to change [bout time too!]

[RASER]

Originally Posted by Moby Vic

Mayor Bloomberg outlawed Crown Vics as taxis in New York City. You don't want to see the thing that's going to replace them.

We have, well done NISSAN!, beat the other trial vehicles fair and square

http://www.taxioftomorrow.com/web/index.php

Job well done all the same:

http://www.taxioftomorrow.com/web/TaxiGraphic.php

Interesting to see how it will last after a few miles on it, front drive does not like hard demanding work

Bring back the Checker Cab!!

[Nikked]

I think we have the oddest taxi in tamworth...a ssang yong wagon thingy...most still have Ba, Bf wagons, and a few camrys and at least on prius.

In a way, if the falcon isnt seen as a taxi, it could be benifical.

[gcg2503]

Originally Posted by RASER

Starting with the cost of a lics. from the $500k mark to $20k [poor guys that paid 1/2 mil. will NOT be compensated!]

I would be very surprised if what Prof Fels said above transpires.

[RASER]

Originally Posted by gcg2503

I would be very surprised if what Prof Fels said above transpires.

Ask the Premier, State GovCo and the Mayor, just this report is costing a fortune, i would say most, if not all, the changes will be made.

[xisled]

In Melbourne there is heaps of non Ford and Holden taxis getting around. There is a few that have been using the Prius for a few years now.

Well better Taxis and regualtions is not a bad thing IMO.

[Ford_The_Win]

Originally Posted by Nikked

Most taxis are secondhand, and not even factory e-gas i thought...

Certainly would explain the Fairmont Ghias and XR6s that are being used as normal taxis these days!

90% of the cabs I see in Melbourne are Falcons, 5% are Commodores and the rest are Camry hybrids

[Fairlane]

In QLD Falcons are already a rarity. Mate is a cabbie and his boss is one of the last guys to run gas falcons on the coast, two wagons and a sedan. All bought 2nd hand from the auctions.

The BF 1's have to be taken off the road soon but they have a BF3 wagon which they can keep a while longer. They are dead on sticking on with Falcons. All the other cabbies have moved on to Prius', Hybrid Camrys and weird stuff like Ssanyongs and VW Jettas.

[gcg2503]

Originally Posted by RASER

Ask the Premier, State GovCo and the Mayor, just this report is costing a fortune, i would say most, if not all, the changes will be made.

Will revisit this post in a year or so.

[Chopped]

I don't care what the Taxi is or looks like.
I get annoyed when the taxi driver speaks very little english, has no idea where they are going and has driving skills to match. They scare me.

[Itsme]

Not that easy, vehicle has to designed, tested for a small niche market it would have to be profitable for the big boys to consider this and be Australia wide sales....
Don't hold your breath on this one, theory and practical is two different things.

[Sorted]

Mark Skaife can do it - TOTF (Taxi Of The Future)

[Smoke Pursuit]

Just wait... Holden will offer the caprice no doubt!!! They already build specialised units for the US Police / corrective services departments. Wont take much to build an LPG Caprice here with steel rims and a barrier (they already have the technology!).

Hardly anyone buys new cabs so its going to be interesting. Would hate to own a taxi licence.

[jpd80]

Maybe Governments should be asking for a taxi that takes passengers to their destination by the shortest route.....

[Pandemic]

Sydney could do with a new taxi system...

[mac_man_luke]

Originally Posted by DASH GT

Just wait... Holden will offer the caprice no doubt!!! They already build specialised units for the US Police / corrective services departments. Wont take much to build an LPG Caprice here with steel rims and a barrier (they already have the technology!).

Hardly anyone buys new cabs so its going to be interesting. Would hate to own a taxi licence.

police issue back seats :P wonder if the will leave the hand cuff recess

[DJM83]

Very rarely see Falcon cabs up here, most now are VW and Toyota hybrids.

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by RASER

Not anymore, in Victoria the whole industry is getting a complete and comprehensive change

Starting with the cost of a lics. from the $500k mark to $20k [poor guys that paid 1/2 mil. will NOT be compensated!]

The whole taxi industry in Vic. will be changed, the vehicle is inc. in the change program

Also the Falcon and sedans in general are not suitable, too small and dangerous for the driver, it was in the Prof Fels repot as unsuitable for taxi use

Your always quick to reply and complain though!!,,,,,,,,build a bridge!!

I think you might need to build that bridge as how many brand new Falcons are bought and converted to taxis? You should be stating it may be over for second hand Falcons as taxi's. As you linked for an overseas car, do you think Ford, Holden or Toyota would build special purpose cabs for the local industry? This won't help local production sadly.

As Fels said

"I would be mildly concerned if this initiative is a publicity stunt and not a true move to a customer responsive industry,"

Where is the government's official response stating acceptance of some, part, any of the recommendations, have you a link, didn't find one myself?

[Dr Smith]

Originally Posted by RASER

Ask the Premier, State GovCo and the Mayor, just this report is costing a fortune, i would say most, if not all, the changes will be made.

I tried to call him but it was on roam in China and I didn't want him to bill us Victorians with international roaming charges....seriously though...

I would love to see the reaction if they really tried to destroy the hugely excessive value of taxi licence fees by introducing low cost ones. The old tram strike in Vic was another nail that ruined the government of the time as they blocked the streets, imagine a taxi strike, lol, especially when this government is no shoe-in to win the next election. When it comes to self interest, governments are supreme.

[2011G6E]

Lot of Prius taxis around Rockhampton...but let me tell you, don't try and fit four typical blokes in one...especially if one is a huge Kiwi...

Standard taxis have been in used in England and the USA before, and they seemed to work fine. There's a new version of the London taxi, but it's still pretty much the traditional style. I don't think there's actually a replacement for the Checker cab in the USA.

Some of the most interesting mechanical noises I've ever heard in my life used to be in Brisbane taxis...usually Falcons...odd clunks and shimmies...not very confidence-inspiring...

[Rastus]

If the Government have sent out a brief on the type of vehicle being of a similar mould to the Nissan linked to above by Raser, maybe Ford AU could gear up to build a suitable C or S-Max & Galaxy. < One of those? We probably could've near already been doing that (C-Max) if we were making the Focus here as originally planned. I've always wondered why Ford AU aren't in this segment here anyway.
Edit: What if Falcon did sadly leave us, and Ford AU turned around and made the new gen Mondeo & S-Max/Galaxy here?

[turboxf]

Yes the transit connect would be perfect for Melbourne, just need a better side design.

Funny we don't get the C,max here , if you have a look on the ford UK site they have little focus panel vans much the same as the VW cargos we get over here, i always thought something like that would be good for shop keepers tradies etc maybe even PIZZA delivery !!!!!!!!!

We do miss out on some good FORD UK products that would suit over here

[joolz]

This is what i heard today in regards to the new Melbourne Taxis. Nissan wants to make the NV200 right hand drive to break into our market. Its great for the drunks late at night but local manufacturing not great at all..

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/nissan/...san-nv200-taxi

[Bossxr8]

Taxis are hardly bought new anyway, so why would Ford or Holden care. Designing one specifically for the taxi market would result in bugger all extra sales.

Next.