Resumption of taxi production boosts Coventry jobs hopes

COVENTRY-based black taxi manufacturer The London Taxi Company is to resume full-scale production of the iconic black cab for the first time since rescuing the company earlier this year.

The company, owned by Chinese firm Geely, stepped in to acquire the London Taxi International business after former owner Manganese Bronze went into administration last year.

In a statement, London Taxi Company said: “With production due to re-start at the Coventry production facility, The London Taxi Company can confirm that it will continue to build enhanced TX4 Style and Elegance with engines from its current supplier, VM Motori.”

The announcement is welcome news not just to the workers at the firm but to Coventry in general.

When the Manganese Bronze business collapsed many of the skilled workers at the LTI plant lost their jobs and of the 176 employees at the Holyhead Road plant, 99 were made redundant. The retained workers have spent much of this year completing vehicles already produced prior to collapse and repairs on existing models.

With the resumption of production many of the former workers, whose skills are in high demand, may be re-appointed.

The company has already had some order success with 200 vehicles sold to Saudi Arabia and a similar number set for export to Australia.

Elsewhere Coventry flooring company Amtico has further boosted job prospects in the city by announcing a £6m investment in its production facilities.

The intention is to double volume by reshoring production work from China. The move is expected to create around 20 new jobs.