Nissan Chosen as the NYC Taxi of Tomorrow

Updated 12:25 p.m. | Sliding doors. Charging stations for mobile devices. Reading lights. Even passenger airbags. The Nissan NV200 van, a light commercial vehicle already in use in Asian and European markets, has won the city’s Taxi of Tomorrow competition, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced on Tuesday. And while the vehicle resembles a family minivan, it promises comforts geared toward a more urban creature. The vehicle will have a transparent glass roof, interior floor lighting, a deployable entry step, exterior lights that flash when the van’s doors open, and independent, passenger-controlled climate controls. Yet the choice of the Nissan represents something of a culture shock to New Yorkers more accustomed to a traditional sedan made by an American manufacturer. The Nissan model, which can potentially be converted to an all-electric engine, beat out contenders from Karsan, a Turkish company that submitted a stylish, amenity-laden design, and Ford, which builds the fleet’s current mainstay, the venerable Crown Victoria.


Read Article

speed123 - 5/3/2011 4:08:00 PM

+3 Boost

Congrats to Nissan for landing the deal! Good job!

LACMAN - 5/4/2011 3:46:58 PM

+6 Boost

Would you mind explaining "Minority Control Vehicle" since you ended with "LOL"? As a black man I took that the wrong way. Maybe you meant it another...

uaw_lax - 5/4/2011 1:54:08 AM

-3 Boost

Yea ok

truckman - 5/4/2011 4:59:48 AM

+1 Boost

I like the practicality of this vehicle, I am imagining 35inch tires with no over hang and race suspension, I don't care how ugly it is if it is practical.

truckman - 5/4/2011 4:59:48 AM

+1 Boost

I like the practicality of this vehicle, I am imagining 35inch tires with no over hang and race suspension, I don't care how ugly it is if it is practical.

t_bone - 5/4/2011 8:20:17 AM

+1 Boost

I guess just be grateful it isn't a cramped SUV. But I like the Transit Connect a lot more.

iamdabest1 - 5/4/2011 9:09:42 PM

+1 Boost

i just think its wrong in this tough economic time to give nissan a 10 year exclusive billion dollar contract, they should have only allowed ford, gm or chrysler to make a taxi..

chewy - 5/4/2011 10:07:25 PM

+1 Boost

Should be roomy and last longer than a regular minivan because of the commercial underpinnings.