NYC's Taxi Fleet To Feature Lexus Hybrids by 2012

The city's yellow taxi fleet will go entirely hybrid within five years, Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced Tuesday.

"There's an awful lot of taxicabs on the streets of New York City," Bloomberg said. "These cars just sit there in traffic sometimes, belching fumes.

"This does a lot less. It's a lot better for all of us," he said of the hybrid plan.

Nearly 400 fuel-efficient hybrids have been tested in the city's taxi fleet over the past 18 months, with models including the Toyota Prius, the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, the Lexus RX 400h and the Ford Escape.


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mxrxk - 5/22/2007 4:28:44 PM

+4 Boost

Your title is a little off base Agent 009. The article is talking about the push for more hybrids taxis in NYC, not just featuring Lexus hybrids. Always trying throw fuel on the fire with your biased titles.

no1listensanyway - 5/22/2007 4:44:29 PM

+5 Boost

Yeah seriously 009, you are just looking for problems here.

SupraNeverBack - 5/22/2007 5:48:50 PM

+5 Boost

009's title engineering skill has become worse...

Agent009 - 5/23/2007 11:11:01 AM

+1 Boost

Lexus is obviously included as part of the featured mix so the title is correct.

But how is this a negative? Sometimes I think you guys look for things.

Try looking at life without a chip on your shoulder.

Lem1972 - 5/22/2007 4:46:00 PM

+6 Boost

I think overall it's a good plan. But if I were Lexus, I wouldn't allow any Lexus models to be used as a taxi. The Toyota Highlander or Prius maybe, but absolutely nothing from Lexus. I think you end up diluting the value of the brand.

mp2dtw - 5/22/2007 7:34:57 PM

+5 Boost

Are you sure it would dilute the brand image? I've seen lots of Mercedes taxis and it didn't do anything to my opinion of Mercedes.

rg12345 - 5/23/2007 10:54:30 AM

+2 Boost

I am sure it WILL. It's already happening with so many toyotas looking like lexus from more than 30 feet away. I see so many lexus cars around every day in front of me ... when I get closer they are toyota. Lexus didn't get it yet .. bad for them, good for toyoyoyoyta owners. I would feel bad to have a lexus right now.

Agent009 - 5/23/2007 11:12:17 AM

+1 Boost

They already are out there. I actually rode in a Lexus RX Taxi (non hybrid) in Honolulu last month. This is a good PR move for them.

SupraNeverBack - 5/22/2007 5:46:55 PM

+4 Boost

Why didn't they plan to use Diesels? ^0^

Will_ - 5/22/2007 6:21:22 PM

+1 Boost

They shouldn't paint them yellow though. They should paint them all bright green or something...

S4cabriofoxone - 5/24/2007 12:18:58 AM

+2 Boost

Why aren't you whining about how this will "dillute" Lexus's brand image, like it does to MERCEDES? I don't hear that now, do I? I wonder why?!

Autophile - 5/22/2007 7:24:41 PM

+3 Boost

You're right sailor, hybrids just aren't the magic cure they seem to be. I hope we can get hydrogen powered taxis, that way New York streets will be constantly "wet" from the H20 emissions. Maybe all that water will help to wash away some of the human fluid waste that makes the city smell oh so pungient.

CarFreak - 5/22/2007 7:31:38 PM

0 Boost

Here in NYC We already have some of the Ford escapes and the Toyota Camry's on the streets and I see more every day! This is a good move for the city and If they want to use kLexuses for cabs I'm all for it! Makes my ridr more comfortable when I'm drunk and need a ride home from the bar:)

jj84 - 5/22/2007 9:16:09 PM

+2 Boost

Actually, there are already two RX400h's in the NYC fleet.

http://www.nysun.com/article/47923

t_bone - 5/22/2007 10:51:29 PM

0 Boost

I read that the hybrids practically pay for themselves in brake replacement costs. Too bad there are no full-sized sedan or minvan alternatives; the SUV platform dilutes the benefits a bit.

Matthew1 - 5/23/2007 1:49:41 AM

+3 Boost

Of course, I replace my brakes every 2 months....

*rolls eyes*

Homer008 - 5/22/2007 11:13:00 PM

-1 Boost

Germancar fans/anti hybrid kids..how do you sleep at night after talking so much trash after trash about how wonderful Diesels are and how awful hybrids really is? All of you were always wrong as you can see. Hybrids are coming and its here to stay, kids!
Bravo to Toyota fans!

EL34 - 5/23/2007 12:21:27 AM

+2 Boost

Lexus hybrid Taxi's with those tiny little trunks?

That's a real dome scratcher!

rg12345 - 5/23/2007 10:51:40 AM

0 Boost

Stupid taxis ... with huge engines and huge consume .. for the driving they do they should stick to a 2.0 diesel engine, you get more than enough power for a city driving and you still get 30-40mpg. Europe it's 10 times smarter. Hybrid sucks right now, maybe in the future.... maybe not.

Rupert - 5/23/2007 11:29:24 AM

+1 Boost

London Cabs have like 90 hp, and they're diesel. Hybrids are a good move for cities though, but still, diesel hybrids would be better.

nembogt - 5/23/2007 11:56:49 AM

0 Boost

Actually, they already have Lexus hybrids. I have even seen Camry hybrids and Escape hybrids and natural gas crown vics. I remember the good ole' days with big american gas guzzlers as taxis like 5 yrs ago!!

S4cabriofoxone - 5/24/2007 12:20:18 AM

0 Boost

There are a couple RX400h taxis in NYC, but the last time I was there, I didn't see any. I did see plenty of Escape Hybrids, though.