Mercedes-Benz is a popular brand of taxi in numerous countries worldwide. Some countries, such as Morocco, imported thousands of Mercedes-Benz taxi vehicles during the 1990s and as many as 55,000 were known to still be in use as of 2014. Mercedes offers specially configured vehicles designed for use as taxis as new from the factory.
The first Mercedes-Benz branded taxi was launched in 1927, offered in an 8/38 horsepower model. The brand was also groundbreaking for diesel model taxis, with their 260 D model in 1936 being the first standard-production diesel passenger car to be available worldwide, leading to Mercedes-Benz developing an exclusive taxi package for their taxicab vehicles. Future models proved very popular in the taxicab industry, putting Mercedes-Benz amongst the leaders of taxi manufacturers worldwide. [1]
In 2017, Mercedes-Benz pledged to release a self-driving taxi by the end of the following 3 years. [2] Trials began in May 2020 as a joint venture with Bosch. [3]
In the homeland of Germany, the brand has traditionally been the first choice for taxi drivers. [4] A renowned model of taxi was the Mercedes-Benz W123, which was offered in a special taxi specification from the beginning. Mercedes offered modifications to their taxi vehicles which included ivory paint, modified dashboard to take a taximeter, additional interior lights and hardened seats to withstand heavy use. Today, W123 models in good condition are at risk of being stolen for export to Africa where they are considered quintessential for a taxi. [5]
Mercedes-Benz commanded a share of around 80% of the market during the 1990s, although by 2005, this had fallen below 50% due to sub-standard models coupled with rust and electrical issues. Between July 2004 and July 2005, Mercedes only just managed to sell more taxicabs (4,500) than Volkswagen (4,000), despite offering favourable financial incentives and a 20% discount, although delivery waiting times were believed to be off-putting at six months. [4] By 2014, their market share had improved slightly, with around 60% of taxicabs in the Mercedes marque at an average age of 3.5 years.
The dominance of Mercedes in the German taxicab industry is believed to have made it difficult for Uber to compete in the country's market, given that they cannot realistically offer their customers better cars than those already available to the public. [6] Jaguar attempted to compete with Mercedes-Benz's dominance in 2018 by delivering 10 I-Pace electric SUV to the largest taxi firm in Munich, chosen due to the poor air quality in the city. [7]
In August 2008, a variant of the Mercedes-Benz Vito was approved by the Public Carriage Office for use as a licensed London Hackney carriage. [8] By September 2009, the Vito was reported to have secured 25% of the market, with 400 sales over the previous 12 months and forecasts that it could surpass sales of the traditional Hackney carriage TX4. Eco City's taxi trading firm said at that time, it was selling four of the £35,000 Vito vehicles for every Hackney TX4 carriage. [9] Despite the high sales, in a poll conducted by the London Evening Standard in September 2011, 75% of participants said they did not prefer the Eco City Mercedes taxis to the traditional black cabs. [10] Mercedes-Benz taxis were reported to be used for prisoner transportation in London during 2003, citing the increased reliability and being more cost effective. [11]
In 2014, almost a quarter of Mercedes-Benz passenger car sales in Denmark was to the taxi industry, although newer tax regulations on cars being sold were expected to have an impact on those choosing the manufacturer. As well as previous tax incentives, the manufacturer also offered unique service arrangements and speedy delivery of parts at their workshops. [12]
In Morocco, the backbone of the taxi sector is served by Mercedes-Benz motors, notably the Mercedes-Benz W123 240D model, and has been described as "the iconic symbol of travel". [13] Morocco's import of the W123 model vehicles was a lucrative business during the 1990s, as well-used cars would sell for a premium in the Moroccan used car market, including inflated prices for spare parts. [14] As of 2014, there were around 55,000 W123 model taxis in operation in Morocco and are popular with drivers given their generous internal space and reliability. The Moroccan government started a scheme in 2014 to offer 50,000 dirhams cash (around $6,100) to drivers who traded in their old Mercedes taxis, citing environmental and safety concerns and added a premium tax on any vehicles imported over 5 years in a bid to slow down the import of older vehicles. [15]
Given the high cost, taxis were known to be stolen and exported to African countries. In 1979, Israeli police discovered five vehicles buried in the Sinai desert, believing that the thieves intended upon recovering them once the territory was returned to Egypt following the Egypt–Israel peace treaty in 1982. Police believed over 80 other cars could have been buried in the desert and owners in America began "chaining their cars to utility poles at night" in an effort to prevent theft. [16]
In the United States, the first major fleet of Mercedes taxis was operated by a firm opened by William Rogers in 1987. Rogers noted that the taxis would be imported used from Europe due to lower costs and equipped with telephones for worldwide calling. [17] The company, named Transit Systems Inc, hit financial difficulties shortly afterwards and ceased business in February 1988. [18]
In Singapore, taxi operators were among the first buyers of Mercedes-Benz in the early 1950s, when Cycle & Carriage secured the franchise. The endorsement by taxi companies of the Mercedes brand increased their popularity among consumers. In 2007, there were an estimated 1,000 E-Class Mercedes taxi vehicles on Singapore's roads, although they only constituted less than 5 percent of the overall taxi fleet in the country. [19]
In 2004, a taxi driver from the city of Thessaloniki in Greece presented to the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Germany his 1976 240D taxi, which had covered approximately 4,600,000 kilometres (2,900,000 mi), including hundreds of journeys to Belgrade to transport supplies during war in the Balkans. At the time, DaimlerChrysler suggested it was the highest mileage vehicle they were aware of at the time. The driver purchased the vehicle in 1981 and changed the engine three times during his ownership. [20] In 2017, it was reported a white Mercedes taxi from Porto, Portugal had also found its way to the Mercedes museum in Stuttgart, having covered around 1,900,000 kilometres (1,200,000 mi). The car had spent around 10 years in use as a taxi, placing it 6th highest in the worldwide highest mileage vehicles. [21]
A hackney or hackney carriage is a carriage or car for hire. A hackney of a more expensive or high class was called a remise. A symbol of London and Britain, the black taxi is a common sight on the streets of the UK. The hackney carriages carry a roof sign TAXI that can be illuminated at night to indicate their availability for passengers.
The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is a light commercial vehicle (van) built by Mercedes-Benz Group AG of Stuttgart, Germany as a large van, chassis cab, minibus, and pickup truck. In the past, the Sprinter had been sold under the Mercedes-Benz, Dodge, and Freightliner nameplates. In the U.S., it was built from complete knock down (CKD) kits by Freightliner. Re-badged and re-engined Sprinters were also sold by Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles as the Volkswagen LT and the Volkswagen Crafter. They are now primarily marketed by Mercedes-Benz.
Hong Kong taxicabs are the principal taxi service in Hong Kong. Although a few taxis are independently owned and operated, the vast majority are owned by 17 independent taxi companies that rent out taxis on a shift basis to 40,000 self-employed drivers.
The Mercedes-Benz W123 is a range of executive cars produced by German manufacturer Mercedes-Benz from November 1975 to January 1986. The W123 models surpassed their predecessor, the Mercedes-Benz W114, as the most successful Mercedes, selling 2.7 million units before production ended in the autumn of 1985 for the saloon/sedan versions and January 1986 for coupés and estates/station wagons.
In New York City, taxicabs come in two varieties: yellow and green; they are widely recognizable symbols of the city. Taxis painted yellow are able to pick up passengers anywhere in the five boroughs. Those painted apple green, which began to appear in August 2013, are allowed to pick up passengers in Upper Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island. Both types have the same fare structure. Taxicabs are operated by private companies and licensed by the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC). It also oversees over 40,000 other for-hire vehicles, including "black cars", commuter vans, and ambulettes.
Marshrutka or marshrutnoe taksi or routed taxicab, are share taxis found in Eastern Europe and the republics of the former Soviet Union. Usually vans, they drive along set routes, depart only when all seats are filled, and may have higher fares than buses. Passengers can board a marshrutka anywhere along its route if there are seats available.
Beijing Benz is an automotive manufacturing company headquartered in Beijing, China, and a joint venture between BAIC Motor and Mercedes-Benz Group.
Taxicabs in a single country often share a set of common properties, but there is a wide variation from country to country in the vehicles used, the circumstances under which they may be hired and the regulatory regime to which these are subject.
The taxicabs of the United States make up a mature system; most U.S. cities have a licensing scheme which restricts the number of taxicabs allowed. As of 2012 the total number of taxi cab drivers in the United States is 233,900; the average annual salary of a taxi cab driver is $22,820 and the expected percent job increase over the next 10 years is 16%.
Taxicabs are regulated throughout the United Kingdom, but the regulation of taxicabs in London is especially rigorous with regard to mechanical integrity and driver knowledge. An official report observed that: "Little however is known about the regulation by anyone outside the trade. The Public Carriage Office (PCO), which regulates and licenses taxis and private hire was transferred from the Metropolitan Police to become part of Transport for London in 2000." In 2015, there were around 298,000 licensed drivers in England, of which 164,000 were private hire licences, 62,000 were taxi licences and 72,000 were dual licences.
The TX4 is a purpose-built taxicab manufactured by The London Taxi Company, a subsidiary of Geely Automobile of China. From 2007 until their liquidation in 2013 it was manufactured by LTI. It is the latest in a long line of purpose-built taxis produced by The London Taxi Company and various predecessor entities. The design has evolved via several mutations from the Austin FX3 of the 1950s. TX4's immediate predecessor is the TXII.
The Metropolitan Conditions of Fitness for Taxis set out the requirements for vehicles that may be used as licensed Hackney carriage taxi cabs in London. They are what makes London's taxis unique in the world and are governed by Transport for London's Taxi and Private Hire office.
The Mercedes-Benz Vito is a mid-sized light commercial vehicle (LCV) produced by Mercedes-Benz, available as a panel van, chassis cab, or multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), carrying cargo or up to eight passengers. In the Mercedes-Benz van lineup, it is positioned between the larger Sprinter and the smaller Citan.
Illegal taxicabs, sometimes known as pirate taxis, gypsy cabs, or jitney cabs, are taxicabs and other for-hire vehicles that are not duly licensed or permitted by the jurisdiction in which they operate. Most major cities worldwide require taxicabs to be licensed, safety-inspected, insured as for-hire vehicles and use taximeters and there may also be requirements that the taxi driver be registered or accredited. However, many unlicensed cabs are in operation. Illegal cabs may be marked taxi vehicles, and others are personal vehicles used by an individual to offer unauthorized taxi-like services. Illegal cabs are prevalent in cities with medallion systems, which restrict the number of legal cabs in operation. Since their introduction in 2009, vehicles affiliated with the transportation network company Uber have been classified as illegal taxicabs in some jurisdictions.
Mercedes-Benz, commonly referred to as Mercedes and sometimes as Benz, is a German luxury and commercial vehicle automotive brand established in 1926. Mercedes-Benz AG is headquartered in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Mercedes-Benz AG produces consumer luxury vehicles and commercial vehicles badged as Mercedes-Benz. From November 2019 onwards, Mercedes-Benz-badged heavy commercial vehicles are managed by Daimler Truck, a former part of the Mercedes-Benz Group turned into an independent company in late 2021. In 2018, Mercedes-Benz was the largest brand of premium vehicles in the world, having sold 2.31 million passenger cars.
Two main types of taxis can be found in Morocco:
A taxi, also known as a taxicab or simply a cab, is a type of vehicle for hire with a driver, used by a single passenger or small group of passengers, often for a non-shared ride. A taxicab conveys passengers between locations of their choice. This differs from public transport where the pick-up and drop-off locations are decided by the service provider, not by the customers, although demand responsive transport and share taxis provide a hybrid bus/taxi mode.
Taxi livery varies greatly from country to country. In some countries, livery is determined by Government legislation, in other countries, taxi operators have choice on colours.
The Toyota JPN Taxi, sometimes known as Japan Taxi, is a hybrid electric taxicab built to the universal taxi design specifications mandated by the Japanese government. Exhibited as the JPN Taxi Concept at the 43rd Tokyo Motor Show in 2013, it has been produced by Toyota since 2017, mainly for the Japanese and Hong Kong markets.
Mercedes-Benz Argentina S.A.U. is the Argentine subsidiary of international conglomerate Mercedes-Benz Group which produces and markets Mercedes-Benz utilitary vehicles in the country. The company was established in 1951 and has its assembly plant in Virrey del Pino, La Matanza Partido, where trucks and buses has been produced. Furthermore, MBA imports a wide range of luxury automobile models including sedans, SUVs, and AMG Performance cars.
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