New York City Approves Nissan as Exclusive Taxi Provider

NEW YORK, Sept. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- In a majority vote today, New York City's Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) officially approved regulations requiring the replacement of retiring taxicab vehicles with the Nissan NV200 Taxi of Tomorrow. This milestone, which officially makes the NV200 the taxicab of New York City, comes after a rigorous review and competitive selection process. The regulation sets a new standard for vehicles operating on the streets of New York, beginning in October 2013, and will significantly improve the overall fuel efficiency of New York's taxi fleet.

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The exclusive agreement begins in late 2013, when the first Nissan taxis will hit the New York streets, and lasts for a decade. Powered by a 2.0L 4-cylinder engine, the Nissan NV200 is designed to reduce carbon emissions and enhance fuel efficiency across the entire taxi fleet, as old models are replaced.

"Nissan is appreciative of the opportunity to provide the City of New York with the next-generation of its iconic yellow taxi," said Joe Castelli, vice president, commercial vehicles and fleet, Nissan North America Inc. "We're looking forward to working side-by-side with the New York Taxi and Limousine Commission to deliver the safest and most comfortable taxi ever to be on the streets of New York. The Nissan NV200 Taxi will deliver unprecedented innovation and vehicle features to the 13,000-strong taxi fleet."

"The Taxi of Tomorrow is a little closer to today," said NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission Chair David Yassky. "Today's vote paves the way for a safer, more comfortable, convenient and fun ride than New Yorkers have ever known. Today's culminating vote may have been five years in the making but feels like a new beginning and leaves us even more excited and energized about the future!"

Drawing on its full range of commercial vehicle experience – including providing taxis for municipalities around the world – Nissan is in the process of conducting extensive testing for the Nissan NV200 Taxi prior to the vehicle going on sale, both at Nissan test centers and on New York city streets. Additionally, the Taxi of Tomorrow will be the first New York taxi to be crash-tested with taxi equipment installed, including the partition.

Nissan has also partnered with Braun Corp., the world leader in automotive mobility products, to develop, engineer and produce a creative solution for a wheelchair-accessible taxi in New York. Drawing on Braun's innovation and experience in the mobility industry, Nissan will offer a mobility solution to New York taxi medallion holders when the taxis go on sale in 2013.

Designed from the inside out, using input from New York taxi drivers, medallion holders, fleets and passengers, standard interior features and passenger amenities include:

• Ample room for four passengers and their luggage, offering substantial improvements over current taxi models
• Sliding doors with entry step and grab handles, providing easy entry and exit 
• Transparent roof panel, presenting unique views of the city
• Opening side windows
• Independently controlled rear air conditioning
• Active Carbon Lined headliner to help neutralize interior odors
• Overhead reading lights for passengers and floor lighting to help locate belongings
• A mobile charging station for passengers, including a 12-volt electrical outlet and two USB ports
• Breathable, antimicrobial, environment-friendly, durable and easy-to-clean seat fabric, simulating the look and feel of leather
• Flat "no hump" passenger floor area for more comfortable ride

Other notable vehicle features are:

• Proven 2.0L 4-cylinder powertrain, engineered to enhance the emission performance and fuel efficiency of the taxi fleet
• 150,000 mile powertrain warranty
• A low-annoyance horn with exterior lights that indicate when the vehicle is honking, so the horn is used less frequently. A 6-way adjustable driver's seat featuring both recline and lumbar adjustments, even with a partition installed
• Unique driver's seat material and stitching to promote improved airflow
• USB Auxiliary audio input and charge port for driver
• Standard navigation system with integrated rearview backup monitor
• Hearing Loop System for the hearing impaired
• Driver and passenger intercom system
• Pre-wiring for taxi T-PEP system

In addition, important safety features of the Taxi of Tomorrow include:

• Only taxi ever to be safety tested and certified with full taxi partition
• Front and rear-seat occupant curtain airbags, and seat-mounted airbags for the front row
• Standard traction control and Vehicle Dynamic Control
• Sliding doors to lessen risk of pedestrians, cyclists and other motorists getting struck by doors opening unexpectedly
• Lights that alert other road users that taxi doors are opening

The Nissan NV200 Taxi will be produced in North America at Nissan's manufacturing facility in Cuernavaca, Mexico. Total manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) of the vehicle, with all planned standard features, will be approximately $29,700. 

To stay informed on news and events related to Taxi of Tomorrow, follow it on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/taxioftomorrow or visit www.taxioftomorrow.com.

About Taxi of Tomorrow
In 2007, City officials convened a group of stakeholders, including representatives of taxi drivers, owners and passengers, to create a set of goals for the next New York City taxi cab, a project called the Taxi of Tomorrow. Taxi of Tomorrow was the result of a groundbreaking effort by the Design Trust for Public Space and the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission to re-imagine the entire taxi system – including the vehicle – for the 21st century. In December 2009, the TLC issued a "request for proposals," inviting auto manufacturers and designers to submit their best ideas for a purpose-built vehicle to serve as a New York City taxicab. At the end of the evaluation, the Nissan NV200 was selected and will be the next New York City taxicab for ten years, beginning in 2013.

About Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program 2010 and has been recognized as a 2010 and 2011 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com.

About Nissan
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second largest Japanese automotive company by volume, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan and is an integral pillar of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 150,000 employees globally, Nissan provided customers with more than 4.6 million vehicles in 2011. With a strong commitment to developing exciting and innovative products for all, Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of fuel-efficient and low-emissions vehicles under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. A pioneer in zero emission mobility, Nissan made history with the introduction of the Nissan LEAF, the first affordable, mass-market, pure-electric vehicle and winner of numerous international accolades including the prestigious 2011 European Car of the Year award.

SOURCE Nissan North America