London Taxi Company plans last hurrah for black cab

Coventry-based London Taxi Company is preparing to bid a fond farewell to one of the capital’s most recognisable images, the black cab.

LTC is axing the current TX4 vehicle in favour of a cleaner, greener, range-extended electric taxi. The new vehicle is more capable of meeting tough new emissions standards.

The Chinese-owned company officially opened its new £300m factory at Ansty Park last month. The plant will produce thousands of the new TX5 models, which will to be exported to markets around the world.

The current cab has been in service for 10 years and as well as London, has been exported to more than 40 countries around the globe, including Australia, China, France, Germany, Italy and New Zealand.

But London is the cab’s spiritual home, and it will be returning to its roots at Battersea Park from Thursday (May 4) for one final hurrah at the London Motor Show.

LTC is inviting show-goers to say goodbye to the model by sharing their taxi stories. It will be displaying a giant ‘leaving card’ at its show stand where visitors can sign with their favourite memories of the vehicle.

The model on show will be a Limited Edition TX4, which is one of the last 300 ever diesel cabs to roll off the current production line.

The TX4 is estimated to have appeared in over 5,000 movies and TV shows during its lifespan, including the likes of the James Bond films, Doctor Who and Sherlock and many of its impressive feats will be honoured at motor show.

Alec Mumford, chairman of the London Motor Show, said: “Welcoming a true London icon to our show in the capital is incredibly fitting and we’re very excited to play a big part in paying tribute to a legend.

“We all have memories of being in one of the current cabs and it’ll be very interesting to see what our guests write in the LTC leaving card.”