cabby john wrote:
Sounds more like political spin - when are these guys going to realise that every E7, Tournedo,V.W etc equals a lost sale. Between them there must be thousands up and down the country, all lost sales. When I used to have one people (punters) used to ask how much Lts cost, and to a man at times could not believe the price.
Right, now that Terry's off to seek help, I'll answer some of your points.
It's not spin, they've sold over 400, which in Taxi sales terms, is a record.
The TX2 has had it's share of problems, but the latest version (TX4) seems to be doing well, no problems to speak of as such.
A choice would be good, but you have to understand thousands of drivers want to keep the current model, monopoly or not.
Are the alternatives up to the job? Or would problems appear similar in scale to those on the current choice? I admire the E7, but again would I be cursing it after a couple of years? just look at the stories on here about all the different models / dealers and theres a bad news story about them all.
Would the £8K saving be lost after a couple of years as the E7 seems to loose all of its value within a few years, or would it hold it?
cabby john wrote:
For a vehicle that has been in production for well over 50 years (1) Far to many problems and (2) They are extremely over priced.
They are, but it's hardly been the 'same model' for 50 years.
You may remember from 1988, until early 2002 the cab was produced with the Nissan engine, this is acknowledged as the best Taxi (power unit) they've ever produced, most of the critisism about reliability is aimed at the 2002 - 2006 Ford Duratorque engined model's, and I may add it's mainly about the infamous timing chain and flywheels, not the model in general.
cabby john wrote:
It is about time that the guys who purchase these vehicles got together and let Mann & Overton know what they think of their vehicle. Until you do that they will continue along in their own smug way protected by Ken, without London sales M & O would not be in business.
We did, and a second review of the COF took place, amidst a threat of legal action by the Faceena's of Cab Direct.
We all know the result.
As I said, there are many (including me) who would welcome a choice, but there are also many who swear by the LTI model, and they do have a point when it comes down to telling the difference between a real London Taxi, or a wanabee one. Therefore a united front against LTI will never happen unless theres a serious alternative contender comes along.
cabby john wrote:
P.S As an afterthought what about your unions making a representation to Mann & Overton that the cars are not up to standard, they are working in a protected market (M & A) and as such are ripping the members off.
We only have one 'Union' and that's the TGWU with about 600 members.
About 11000 of us belong to the LTDA or the LCDC which are assosciations run by elected members who are all working Licensed London Taxi drivers, not people who have barged in from failed industries proclaiming to be the saviour of mankind.
The LTDA tackle both M&O and KPM when it comes to members problems, suffice to say a satisfactory outcome is usually acheived without a hint of
Agrivate or Aggitate. The LTDA also worked with Cab Direct to bring the review of the review of the COF about.
I take on board what you are saying and in many respects the London cab is iconic, and to that degree I can understand you defending it. It would be interesting to see how many of the 400 were sold in this country and how many in London, as for the rest of the country Ummmm!
What I was basically saying is that seeing how they had such a head start on everyone else, by now it should be perfect. Style wise 10/10 but the rest! they have taken the P**s over the years and it does not help you as drivers when the LA or Ken (whichever) sticks their noses in at your cost.
M&O should be taken to task over their pricing and lack of quality, this would affect their reputation around the world,