NY Nissan Taxis

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/04/nyregion/nissan-minivan-chosen-as-new-york-citys-next-taxi.html?src=recg

Cant say im a fan of this. Awarded to a non-US based company that is making cars in mexco. This contract is worth an estimated $1 billion

edit: also how does a minivan only hold 4 people?

Yeah, this one bothers me. The American car (Ford) and the Turkish car that was going to be built by Union Labor in Brooklyn with a panoramic roof lose out to the Mexican-built, French-controlled, Japanese company? And their design seems to be the worst one on paper to boot.

I think I smell rotting seafood...

The cash cab is in a Subaru Tribeca*. Anyways, isnt the Crown Vic made in Ontario? But you're right; I'd prefer a little "Buy American" when spending $1 billion.

*Edit: Toyota Sienna. I was completely wrong .

Without knowing any details about this particular situation, by law municipal contracts generally have to go to the low bidder as long as they meet the requirements. There's not much they can do about it if Nissan was the low bid.

It sounds like the Nissan was the best featured and most purposeful of the candidates. The Turkish vehicle is an unknown product from an unknown company, and Ford's Transit Connect looks to have less room for passengers than the Nissan. After a quick search, the TC is still made in Turkey, although there are plans to move some production to the US within a few years.

fritzsch wrote: edit: also how does a minivan only hold 4 people?

Additional storage space for luggage/shopping bags that is easily accessible is probably more useful than extra seating.

RossD wrote: The cash cab is in a Subaru Tribeca. Anyways, isnt the Crown Vic made in Ontario? But you're right; I'd prefer a little "Buy American" when spending $1 billion.

Cash Cab is a Toyota Sienna.

And yes, all Panther-chassis were made in Ontario, which is fine by me as Canada and the US are great trading/manufacturing partners.

stuart in mn wrote: Without knowing any details about this particular situation, by law municipal contracts generally have to go to the low bidder as long as they meet the requirements. There's not much they can do about it if Nissan was the low bid.

you sure? tribecca has sliding doors now? i thought it was a chrysler or toyota minivan? it has to be one of the "approved" cabs, otherwise people would know which one it was. that is, if they hadn't already been picked out to participate

IMO, best product wins. I think it's a bit odd that they picked any of them without having their hands on even so much as an early prototype, but it sounds like they picked the best vehicle they had to offer.

Javelin wrote: And yes, all Panther-chassis were made in Ontario, which is fine by me as Canada and the US are great trading/manufacturing partners.

The Crown Vic wasn't Ford's entry for the new contract, it was the Transit Connect, which isn't made in the US (yet), either.

MitchellC wrote:

Javelin wrote: And yes, all Panther-chassis were made in Ontario, which is fine by me as Canada and the US are great trading/manufacturing partners.

The Crown Vic wasn't Ford's entry for the new contract, it was the Transit Connect, which isn't made in the US (yet), either.

I know that. I was responding to a question that wasn't the current main vehicle already not made in the US.

Here's a link if you want to bitch.

http://www.nyc.gov/html/media/html/news/taxioftomorrow.shtml

this selection also goes against two polls where new yorkers picked the turkish companies vehicle and taxi companies picked the Ford.

Not surprisingly, the New Yorkers wanted what was coolest/nicest looking and the taxi companies chose what would have probably been the cheapest. I'm sure that riders would love Maybachs and drivers would love cargo vans where they could just throw as many riders in back as would fit, but neither of these are viable, either. The Nissan really looks like the best compromise between what the passengers and drivers want.

Datsun1500 wrote: The Nissan is built at the plant in Mississippi, so it is the one that is actually creating American jobs, but don't let the details get in the way of a good story.....

I did not know that, all the better then! Consider my smell comment retracted.

I did not see that either. I gave Wikipedia a cursory glance earlier and saw production locations in Japan, Spain, and China. It won't satisfy the "union labor made" that the original poster alluded to, but otherwise it looks to fit.

In reply to Datsun1500:

But in the article didnt they say they were to be built in mexico? Where does this mississippi stuff come in

I just found this article which talks about an expansion to include the NV200 at a plant already in Mississippi, but keep in mind that the article is two years old.

Now if the Unions will only pay attention . . .

I don't see any reference in that article to the the NV200, which is on a different chassis than the NV#500 series.

914Driver wrote: Here's a link if you want to bitch. http://www.nyc.gov/html/media/html/news/taxioftomorrow.shtml

Thanks for the link. I was wondering how they could use a TC as a taxi. From the pictures it looks like they moved the rear seat 6 inches backward from the standard location. I know there is not enough rear seat leg room in mine to use it as a taxi.

BRING BACK THE CHECKER!!

...and the money for these funnels through TN, before they stroke a check to Japan.

So at least we get jobs and some interest off of it.

According to the Times, the new taxi will be made in the US and have a glass roof too.

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/05/03/nissan-chosen-as-the-taxi-of-tomorrow/

I love that people are bothered by things that are secondary to the purpose of the competition: what does the location of manufacture (or Union/non-union) have to do with getting people from point A to point B in a terrible vehicular environment?

I'm a NYer, unfortunately. Rarely take a cab. But when I do, I care about fitting in the damn thing (I'm looking at you, Escape Hybrid), not choking the drivers eau-de-24-hour-shift, and getting to where I'm going. This business about charging stations for mobile devices is crap, but things like airbags and their statement (maybe not in that article, check the Times for others) that they'll crash-test it with all the taxi-gear in place, are important to me. I buckle up, but often wonder how badly I'd get hurt hitting that plastic divider with my face.

Things I don't care about? Where it was manufactured. Why? Because whomever is building it is eventually going to be a tourist in this city. Everyone wants to visit NYC. Sure, I'll curse at him under my breath as he stands there absent-mindedly blocking the sidewalk while I'm dashing to work, but he's emptying his pockets here, and that's just bringing the money right back here. You know, the money NYers paid in cab fare.

Well said.

stuart in mn wrote: Without knowing any details about this particular situation, by law municipal contracts generally have to go to the low bidder as long as they meet the requirements. There's not much they can do about it if Nissan was the low bid.

Thee aren't for a municipal contract, the city is telling private owners this is the vehicle they will be buying. I just hope they come with something to keep them off the sidewalk.