The makers of the famous black cab, The London Taxi Company (LTC) went into administration in October of this year. It was hoped that a buyer for the Coventry factory would be found, but as no one stepped forward the production line has been stopped, mid-flow.
Unlike other car manufactures, every black cab is made by hand and there is no robotic machinery in the factory. Workers downed their tools and cars were left half made on the 30th October. Since then around 150 employees have been made redundant and the remaining workers just have to wait and hope a buyer is found.
The black cab has gone through some changes since it was first produced at the dawn of the automotive industry but the design has always remained distinctive. But at £35,000 each, they are not cheap and with the rise of private hire vehicles, is there any room for this British icon anymore?
Bob Oddy, the London Taxi Drivers Association Deputy General Secretary thinks there is, as they are a firm favourite with taxi drivers.
He said: “It’s a huge problem because the overwhelming number of drivers do like the traditional cab.”
“Within two days of the news, you couldn’t borrow or hire a new cab anywhere. And it’s been like that ever since. We need this sorted urgently.”
But it seems LTC did not fully recover from a technical fault in 2008 when thousands of taxis had to be recalled. This hit them hard back then and just when they thought they were getting back on their feet, millions of pounds went missing due to an IT fault on their system.
Do you think a buyer will be found for the makers of this very British vehicle? Or do you think it is the end of the road for the black cab?
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