Ford, Nissan and Turkey’s Karsan Otomotiv have been selected as finalists in the first competition to be the exclusive supplier of New York City’s taxis.
The winning vehicle, due to be announced early next year, will be the exclusive New York City taxicab for a minimum of ten years.
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“While the city has long set the standards for our taxis, including working to make our vehicles more fuel efficient, the city has never before worked with the auto industry to design one taxicab specifically for New York City,” said Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
The winner is expected to be on the road no later than autumn 2014, though total fleet turnover will be gradual over several years as older cabs retire.
New York cabs are typically retired after three to five years in service, the city said.
New York City now has 13,237 cabs, comprised of 16 different vehicles from nine different manufacturers.
The city is asking for public input, allowing New Yorkers to vote on the features they want in the new cabs at its website, nyc.gov.
