Coventry’s London Taxi Company produces first overseas vehicle in six years

First Coventry-built taxi to be exported since 2009 destined for Melbourne

Coventry’s iconic black cab firm is celebrating a “ground-breaking” milestone after making its first vehicle to be shipped overseas in six years.

The London Taxi Company has produced a purpose-built cab which is destined for Melbourne in Southern Australia.

It is the first export since 2009 and the first vehicle made in Coventry for an overseas client since the company was bought by its Chinese owners Geely.

The cab will undergo inspections on arrival to ensure it complies witih Australian authorities.

And after approval, a further order of several hundred vehicles is expected from the main Australian distributor – The London Taxi Company Australia – into the city of Melbourne.

The Taxi Services Commission has already approved the London Taxi for use as a conventional taxi in the state of Victoria.

Since 2009, the Holyhead Road production site in Coundon, has produced vehicles solely for the UK domestic market with its Chinese sister company, Shanghai London Taxi International, producing vehicles for the international markets including South East Asia, the Middle East and North Africa.

The LTC team in Coventry who were involved in developing the Australian London Taxi

Peter Johansen, vice president of UK operations, said: “The production of Melbourne’s London taxi here in Coventry is a ground-breaking step for us as a global business.

“It’s our vision to see our iconic black cab on the streets of all major cities around the world and our team here are fully equipped to contribute to that.

“We’re excited by the opportunity this offers us here at the Coventry plant.

“Britain has a lot of great exports to Australia, including some cab drivers who have already shown interest in driving the cabs over there! We’re proud to add our iconic London Taxi to the list of great British exports.”

The London Taxi has been customised for the Melbourne market to include a hot climate specification and other features, as specified by Australian Design Rules.

An Australian radio station recently hosted a poll in which listeners chose their London Taxi’s colour of choice, in which the iconic black was the winner.

Western Australia is already home to 100 ‘white’ London Taxis which have been trialled in Perth since December 2013.

Source: Coventry Telegraph

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