Taxi Driver Online

Glasgow taxi maker waits on London rule

ALLIED Vehicles, the Glasgow-based taxi manufacturer, will hear before Christmas whether its Peugeot E7 cabs will be licensed for use on London's roads, a decision which could transform the company's fortunes.

The privately-owned Possilpark firm currently builds 1200 taxis a year, but owner Gerry Facenna said that number could quadruple if the Public Carriage Office, an agency of licensing authority Transport for London, accepts its application.

Facenna said Allied had threatened to take the authority to judicial review after its initial application to sanction the Peugeot E7 was rejected on technical grounds. Facenna said the authority has since agreed to review its requirements and will report back shortly.

A TfL spokesman said one problem with the seven-seater, wheelchair-friendly Peugeot E7 is that it cannot meet the authority's turning circle requirements. An outcome of the review process is expected before the holidays, he added.

Facenna wants to challenge the market dominance in London of Manganese Bronze, owner of London Taxis International and maker of the world-famous Hackney.

He is also expecting a similar ruling in January from Edinburgh City Council, which has been in dispute with the company since 2003. The cab is sanctioned by every other Scottish authority and the UK's other major cities outside London, but Edinburgh follows London's strict licensing rules.

Allied, which employs more than 300 people, was established as a motor dealer 11 years ago by ex-mechanic Facenna and his brother, Michael. Its diversification into taxi production has seen the company bring large-scale vehicle production to Scotland for the first time since the Talbot factory at Linwood, Renfrewshire, closed in 1981. The company produces the E7 from a Peugeot shell and adapts a range of vehicles, including minibuses, for wheelchair use.

In the year to January 31, Allied posted pre-tax profits of more than £650,000, a rise of 44% on 2004, although the bottom line was flattered by a sharp reduction in directors' pay.

Sales climbed 9% to £40.3m. "We have enjoyed a record October and November in terms of sales," Facenna commented. "The taxi trade is looking for good value for money and our main product is thousands of pounds cheaper than competitors."

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IDFIMH

Still can't quite work out why Edinburgh Council have to rely on big brother London to make their decisions for them.

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IDFIMH

Suddenly a certain person regrets not hanging onto his Fairway a bit longer.

Then again, if they listened to the same people they 'consulted' over the Knowledge process, I would'nt get too excited just yet Mr Faceena!

I'll believe it when I see it.

You probably couldn't find an Edinburgh Councillor to answer that question either. The more they have to think the more confused they get, enter London.

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All animals are equal but some animals are more equal than others.
George Orwell, "Animal Farm"

You could be right. Maybe Mr Cab Direct was just firing a shot across the PCO's bow.

Be a nice Xmas present for someone though.

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IDFIMH

but did he say which christmas.

In your dreams..

2011 In time for the 2012 Olimpics.

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Make trafic wardens redundant. PARK LEGALLY.
Congestion charge! Before it was free.

It's certainly been a marathon process

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Taxi Driver Online
www.taxi-driver.co.uk

A thought?
Has the date of this annoucment been checked?
Maybe it was 2002......

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Make trafic wardens redundant. PARK LEGALLY.
Congestion charge! Before it was free.

Yet another thought...
They were saying way back in 1914. "It will be over before Christmas"
'De Ja Vue'

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Make trafic wardens redundant. PARK LEGALLY.
Congestion charge! Before it was free.

For hundreds of thousands of them it was.

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IDFIMH