News : LTI announces production restart

Keith Adams

P Johansen June 2013

Full-scale production of TX4 black cabs at The London Taxi Company’s factory in Coventry is set to restart in September. Vice President of UK Operations Peter Johansen (above) has confirmed that ex-colleagues made redundant during the administration process will be the first to offered new jobs.

More than 70 ex-production members will be offered the chance to apply for 32 vacancies, with a view for low-level production to start in mid-August, with full-scale production following in September. So far, since the company reopened on 1 February 2013, the company has recruited 38 new members of staff, with plans to attract another 58 across the UK (including the 32 production vacancies).

To date, LTI has sold more than 215 new TX4s and approximately 140 used vehicles into the UK market; and it has also secured orders for more than 800 internationally, including 200 into Saudi Arabia.

Peter said: ‘That we’re now in a position to start production recruitment is great news for us, for the trade and for Coventry. I know that the entire team takes great pride in our vehicle. I look forward to welcoming back some of the craftsmen who will help us continue to produce our iconic black cab.

‘The fundamental difference in the new company, through our parent company Geely, is that we finally have the capital required to develop products and to invest in our future. This is an exciting time for us all; it’s all the more gratifying that we’ll be able to bring back some of the old team to share in this exciting future.’

London Taxis International TX4 (1)

Keith Adams

11 Comments

  1. Hmm, with the money coming from Geely it will be interesting to see what they develop in the future.
    Great news to hear as well, fingers crossed production gets off to a smooth start.

  2. The steering on the TX4 has been rectified by going back to the original ( British ) manufacturer of the box . The problem steering box was made in China, and has to be said was of dubious quality.
    Geely need to have a really good plan for the future, developing the TX4 , and making it the premier choice for the Hackney trade. The TX4 is THE ONLY purpose built taxi on the market.

  3. I don’t recall seeing lots of 13 reg Mercedes taxis on the streets of London, so I wonder if London cabbies have been holding off ordering anything over the last few months until the situation became clearer?

    The problems for the TX4 is that its uniqueness and low sales volumes makes updating or replacing it very expensive. New owners doesn’t change that…

  4. I hope we’ll see some “made in the UK” TX4 in France soon. Right now, some chinese made yellow ones have been sold and can be seen in Paris but it would be more appealing if they were made in Coventry. For sure!

  5. The future may not be so certain or easy but at least production is to re-start. The company has NOT ceased to be. Great news!

  6. This is certainly great news for Coventry, and I’m glad that they have found such success overseas, however as a Londoner I also hope they spend some much needed money on improving the present product, or replacing it. Personally I always flag down a Mercedes in preference to a TX4 if there is one in sight.

  7. Great news! for all London Taxi Lovers – keeping the old Fairway Taxi icons alive at fairwayownersclub.com. Join our forum for all FX4/fairway/fairwaydrivers and all Lti Taxi lovers

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*


This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.