🚕 NYC 'Taxi of Tomorrow' Nissan NV200 To Be Replaced By Europe-Only Townstar EV Model
Introduced over a decade ago as NYC's 'Taxi of Tomorrow', Nissan replaces NV200 model with Townstar EV. NYC yellow cab drivers increasingly have more vehicle options to choose from
AutoMarketplace NYC covers the for-hire transportation industry and automotive news. Check out AutoMarketplace on YouTube ▶️
Over a decade ago, Nissan’s NV200 won a very tough multi-year competition to be crowned NYC’s “Taxi of Tomorrow” 🚕. The win was a big moment for Nissan, including the 10 year contract reported to be worth $1 billion 💵 at the time! As you can tell from Nissan’s blog post in June 2011, the NYC for-hire transportation market looked very different then and the yellow cab had the a huge trip market share. I also found it interesting that the NV200 was reported to be assembled in Mexico. I have nothing against Mexico AT ALL, but one would have thought a requirement would be for the car to be assembled in the US, given it was a government contract 🤔.
With the relatively recent news that Nissan is discontinuing (2021 seems to be last model year) the NV200, it officially marks the end of a relatively short lived spotlight as the future of NYC yellow cab industry. Its successor, the 100% electric Townstar (supposedly a rebadged Renault Kangoo), doesn’t seem like it will be available for the North American market anytime soon.
Personally, I actually liked riding in the NV200 and thought it was very comfortable, but drivers may have not been as enthusiastic about the car.
In fact, according to a June 2018 New York Times article, at least one long-term NYC TLC driver was happy to bluntly share what he thought about the car 😲 (Hint: not good).
To NYC Taxi & Limousine’s credit, given the well documented struggles of the yellow cab 🚖 industry, the regulator has significantly expanded the list of “Approved Vehicles” ✅ that can be used as taxicabs. With the broad goal of electrifying the NYC taxi fleet, likely within the decade, my guess is vehicle options for the yellow cab industry will continue to expand.
Do you currently drive an NV200? What do you like (not like) about the vehicle? Are you sad to see it go? What car would you buy to replace your NV200? As always, let us know your thoughts below or by emailing us at info@automarketplace.com?
AutoMarketplace NYC covers the for-hire transportation industry and automotive news. Check out AutoMarketplace on YouTube ▶️