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| TX1............... ..........TX4 |
With an exorbitant price tag and high pressure sales technique, you would have thought that this vehicle, offered to the London Taxi trade would, be the best value for money, with the most up-to-date accessories, have the most fuel efficient engine, be widely accepted by all concerned parties and meet all future emissions standards for years to come.
With their profits we would hope that the manufactures would be investing in future technology to make this vehicle the envy of the Taxi world.
Unfortunately this does not seem to be the case. The TX1 was in my opinion one of the best Taxi's every produced in this country, but the TX11 was fraught with problems of reliability. Now we have the TX4 which has seen major engine fires, fuel consumption worries and has lead the way to Mercedes finally getting a foot hold into the Taxi market in London (the Jewel in the crown). But the problem doesn't end their. The retail outlet responsible for the supply of the TX4 has now acquired a horrific reputation for unreliability and poor performance.
Problems I have encountered myself include having an unsupervised apprentice, carry out a 20,000 mile service that led to engine oil leaking out which very nearly blew the engine up. They refuse constantly to change a faulty clock as in their opinion, loosing ten minutes a day is within their tolerance range. A badly squeaking electric window can not be lubricated and can only be fixed if it fails completely. My car port is covered in engine oil, power steering fluid, gearbox oil and anti freeze staining. New radiators, steering boxes, high pressure hoses and other failed engine parts means a constant loss of time in trips to the garage.
But it doesn't end there In the past 15 years my fuel consumption has dropped by nearly a third to an all time low and my VED has become astronomical. Although my vehicle is supposed to have the most up-to-date emissions standards, I actually pay double the price in road fund license as a twenty year old Fairway.
An now we find out the manufacturers of our well loved icon, are investing in a future proof, hybrid petrol engine for a completely new concept vehicle.
But not for us... for the Private hire market.
We all saw the picture in the trade media of the TXN and thought that's a funny looking taxi, surely its too small inside.
But like all concept vehicles the body shell is meant to mis-lead. When this vehicle becomes available in 2015 it will have a larger body shell more like the TX4, without the iconic for-hire sign and will be aimed at the very lucrative national Private hire market.
Well there's loyalty for you...
Well TBH as a commercial enterprise who can blame them? As for the TX4 thats what a monopoly brings you ,like a trip to thailand ,leaves you a nasty sting in the tail.In LTI's case they are lucky many drivers see the mercedes as too much like PH so stick with what they know.
ReplyDeleteCarlover
I dont know if thats true,As you are seeing more and more Mercs everyday,And now the public are getting used to them and love them,and even though they have thier faults,ie doors,intercom,and no windows that open,as they sell more they will rectify that,And the way i see it,during the day,the punters love the a/c,space,and the fact 5 people with 6 items of luggage,can sit in comfort,so does the driver,And at night the PCO and POLICE,have let the touting get so far out of control,getting a scab off the street is the norm,Saying that i do think it was wrong to stop the orange TAXI signs all over it,But that was a PCO ruling,Now it makes sense as they want us to look like minicabs,LTI,had the chance to up thier game and have not,And with the news they are bringing out the TXN or the minicab trade[i cant and wont call them PHVs]You can bet your life,they will be fully a/c,not run off the fuel,and comfortable for the passenger and driver,with plenty of luggage room,Finally they will make a vehicle we have been asking for,for years,But it wont be for us
ReplyDeleteGarys