China hails London's black cab


London's famous black cabs will soon make its debut on the streets of China's largest cities

HONG KONG, China -- The famous London black cab could soon be ferrying fares through China's streets from Shanghai to Beijing.

A lucrative licensing deal between one of China's largest car manufacturers and an age-old British taxi firm will mark the first production in Asia of the world renowned and instantly recognizable taxis.

The black cab is likely to be a sure hit with Chinese drivers, and will grace the tarmac of major mainland cities, as well as Hong Kong, Macau and Taipei.

The deal marks the first substantial overseas debut for the familiar shiny cab, the only purpose-built taxi in the world.

And its good news for China's security-conscious taxi drivers -- an integrated partition will provide greater protection for the driver.

It is hoped that owner-drivers and taxi fleets will snap them up to differentiate themselves from the familiar Toyota and Volkswagon-Shanghai models that ply China's taxi routes.

As more of China's tourists travel to Europe with new-found wealth it is hoped that the black cab will become popular in a market that is already significantly large and still growing.

The London taxi company has been producing the black cab for 50 years. Its newest model, the TX1, is the the one that will be launched in China.

Launched in 1997 the TX1 was developed with input from taxi drivers themselves and it is hoped its modern look will become as instantly recognizable on the streets of China as it is in London.

Lucrative licensing

The $3.8 million (Ł2.7 million) licensing deal between the UK-based London Taxis International and Shenyang-based Brilliance China Automotive Holdings will give the Chinese company the right to produce and sell the famous cabs across the mainland for 20-years.

The agreement will also permit China to export them to Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, where they will be sold to both owner-drivers and taxi fleets.

As part of the deal, the Manganese subsidiary London Taxis International will also be allowed to buy taxi components built in China for its production in the West Midlands city of Coventry.

London Taxis International is one of two companies in Britain producing the taxis.