Taxi Driver Online

Manganese Bronze prototype built in China.

The TX4 coming off the production line in Shanghai is a replica of the London icon. Pending tests, the car is set to be in production by the end of the year, with cabs being despatched to cities across the world in 2009.

The move is part of an ambitious plan from the Coventry-based company to sell 20,000 cabs a year to markets outside the UK, along with a further 20,000 saloons based on the iconic design. It said recently that it had already agreed the sale of 3,000 taxis to be delivered in 2009.

The project, conducted through a joint venture with Geely Automotive, China's largest privately owned car maker, will also make components for the London-driven cars, though there are no plans to import the Chinese cars to the UK.

Manganese will hope the news will cause its share price to turn as sharply as one of its cabs.

Its thinly-traded shares have lost a third of their value in the past month - dropping 10 per cent on Tuesday alone - though they remain five times dearer than when the Chinese factory idea was first proposed in 2003.
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I think the only saviour is maybe the electric version. But I think it's too late in the day for even that.

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IDFIMH

I cant see many cab drivers being interested in that. It supposedly has a battery charge cycle of every 100 miles but that wouldn't get you through a Friday or Saturday night.

Regards


JD

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Copyright notice © The contents of this post are copyright of JD and are not to be reproduced outside of TDO without written permission.

If they could get it up to 250 and the mayor decided on a green plan to un-chock parts of London then they have a chance.

But the way it looks at the mo, their goose is well cooked.

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IDFIMH

I have to wonder why anyone would by one unless they had to.

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http://wingsoverscotland.com/ http://www.newsnetscotland.com/

Maximum speed 50 mph.

Earlier this year Manganese Bronze said this about the TX4 Model.

Last year's first-quarter sales were skewed by the introduction of the TX4 model, with a more "fuel-efficient" and "cleaner engine".

Can Mr Manganese Bronze please define what he means by fuel efficient because these vehicles are doing 20-25 mpg AUTO and 27 mpg MANUAL so where does the fuel efficiency come in?

Regards

JD

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Copyright notice © The contents of this post are copyright of JD and are not to be reproduced outside of TDO without written permission.

The FT accurately summed it up in April this year, when it said.

Much of Manganese Bronze's future success is premised on the notion that cabbies throughout the world will opt for its new TX4 model, writes Stanley Pignal.

Its new factory will produce 20,000 cabs a year - just 1,000 short of the number currently operating in London.

Its success in London, though, has been largely determined by regulations.

The Public Carriage Office dictates that London taxis must meet exacting specifications, such as being able to turn within a 25ft circle, which in effect gives Manganese's LTI brand a monopoly.

Pat Daggin, a London cab driver behind the wheel of a 1989 TXI, said he wouldn't recommend the five-seat vehicle to his overseas peers. "It's expensive, for one, it guzzles petrol and nobody wants it when you're done with it."

Aside from professional drivers, the black cab's only fans seem to be vintage car collectors and celebrities such as model Kate Moss and comedian Stephen Fry.

The depreciation issue is particularly acute in London, where new environmental regulations have forced drivers to either convert their engines or pay up to £31,000 for a new cab.

Manganese's main dealership is now offering a £3,000 part-exchange programme for the Fairway model, whose true market value is closer to £500.
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I thought that Boris has kicked the conversions into touch???