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.

[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

[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.

[2011G6E]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

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

Doubt it...I've actually had a driver pull out a Gregory's and look up streets while weaving along. Back in the days before GPS of course.
Look up what cab drivers have to do over there to get "The Knowledge" and your mind will boggle...

Originally Posted by Spammy

They are better than you think and great when 5 of you have to go 3 miles to a meeting and its raining.

Everyone needs to get over the fact that they are 1 gazzilion times more pratical as a taxi than a Family Sedan (which is no longler bought by families)

Many people just don't want to admit that a purpose-built vehicle can actually be better than a normal family car here that's been converted to use as a cab.

Size? They're bigger than you think...if you've only ever seen them on TV or in movies, you'll be surprised at how large they actually are. A vehicle purpose designed to carry passengers efficiently is always going to be better than a normal family car being thrust into service it was never actually designed for.

[wrongwaynorris]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

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

Dream on

[BHDOGS]

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

[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)

[Vesper Martini]

[QUOTE=Kayos;4884584]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!

QUOTE]

You make me laugh! anybody that uses the Australian conditions argument most likley hasnt been out of the country. Tell me how does driving in Melbourne or Sydney Traffic differ from London? they wont be used in the red centre FFS.
These things are comfy and have a plentyful supply of parts. the only negative. They cost more than a second hand Falcon, but so does a Prius

[Kayos]

[QUOTE=Bevsta007;4885544]

Originally Posted by 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!

QUOTE]

You make me laugh! anybody that uses the Australian conditions argument most likley hasnt been out of the country. Tell me how does driving in Melbourne or Sydney Traffic differ from London? they wont be used in the red centre FFS.
These things are comfy and have a plentyful supply of parts. the only negative. They cost more than a second hand Falcon, but so does a Prius

Assumptions again from another keyboard wizard, I was born here but my tree has worldly roots.. simply yes
Own taxis do you? compare costs will you? import parts for these will you? Serviced, owned, worked on the panels, have any real comparison on how many klms before you need to do bushes, head, ball joints, pads??? They run in an average of what weather conditions, cold to cold..
I had a house in Frankston so can give a well infomative opinion on the area, and why I sold it..
Ever driven in europe, can't say I've been to dreary london and don't want to, because of these taxis...

[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.

[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??

[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.

[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.

[flooded one]

Originally Posted by GTPete

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

wanna hope the air cons good. don't get me wrong. I love black cars. I own one, I'm thankful my air con is nice and cold

[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.