2008 New York Auto Show: Ford Transit Connect Taxi Concept

Ford, the leading provider of taxis in North America, is offering a fresh take on taxis at the New York International Auto Show. “Taxis are an important part of the urban landscape, and the Transit Connect Taxi concept represents a potential game-changer, given its small footprint, comfortable, spacious interior, fuel-efficient engine and affordability,” said Mark Fields, president of The Americas. “We’re interested to see how people react.”


Ford has been a leader in the taxi business for decades. The Ford Crown Victoria is the leader in the taxi market in cities throughout the U.S. Ford also was the first manufacturer to introduce gas-electric hybrid-powered taxis into North American fleets with the launch of the Ford Escape Hybrid in San Francisco and New York City in early 2005. Today, New York’s Escape hybrid fleet has grown to more than 800, including the original 18 that joined the fleet in 2005, still running with the original nickel-metal hydride batteries intact.
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Gambit - 3/19/2008 4:34:55 PM

+2 Boost

Just when I was starting to doubt Ford's ability to make uglier cars....

07G35J - 3/19/2008 4:42:11 PM

+2 Boost

LOL

Ironman273 - 3/19/2008 5:11:41 PM

+2 Boost

The thing is that taxi's don't need to be pretty. They;re utalitarian. When you need one you need the space, but in the past that was equated with larger engines that wasted more energy. They also need to last long.

If they're gibing us the space and making it more ecofriendly I'm all for it, however it looks.

Hyundai - 3/19/2008 6:06:15 PM

+1 Boost

Ironman, any leaks about the IS Coupe? :)

Ironman273 - 3/19/2008 6:55:59 PM

+1 Boost

Hyundai, nowadays I can tell you all about the 1-series or M3 convertible. ;-)

Hyundai - 3/19/2008 7:58:21 PM

+1 Boost

Traitor!!!

*sigh*

Still, you know more than everybody else here about it and nobody will know that "you" spilled some of the beans..

Either way, anything new coming out of BMW that you can spill? :D

DW1968 - 3/22/2008 10:55:51 AM

+1 Boost

Fine, they don't NEED to be pretty, but do they NEED to be ugly? I agree that taxi's are primarily utilitarian, but does it have to be a choice BETWEEN utilitarian and non-offensive styling?

Because this is one ugly baby.

SteedPub - 3/19/2008 6:25:20 PM

-2 Boost

This may be one of Ford's most brilliant plays in the coming decade. Bringing the Transit Connect here to the States to begin with was beyond my expectations. To offer a taxi-cab version of it is really a game changer for the taxi industry.

This thing is about 2/3 the footprint of a Crown Victoria and has a larger and more accessible interior. It gets in the 20's for mpg, and a government mandated hybrid will likely get in the 30's for city driving. That is ground shaking for the Taxi industry.

Finally, this whole vehicle is made for this type of use day in and day out, thus it should be a reliable tool for fleets.

As to looks, whatever. Utility vehicles like this are not made to be pretty. Pretty is and pretty does, and is almost always more expensive. The Checker cabs were purpose built and not so pretty, but the were the best at what they did in the day.

EL34 - 3/19/2008 7:34:02 PM

-2 Boost

I wait for ToyLex to copy ;-)

jt716 - 3/19/2008 10:20:14 PM

-1 Boost

It doesn't look that bad and it is a great idea for sure. Mullaly knows what he is doing.

Whelan - 3/20/2008 4:48:21 PM

+1 Boost

For a taxi, it's perfect. Think of all the save spacing. Its smaller footprint makes it less congested and allows probably an extra 1/3 of the cars between blocks that would normally be there. I am talking in respect to NYC since I go there the most. Not to mention the tallness allows easier ingress and egress for people. Especially when your all dressed up for a show or dinner. No more scrunched pants and coats falling into puddles as you exit.