Geely Ceburi Pasaran Teksi Jepun

Teksi elektrik penuh Geely, “TX Black Cab” mencabar dengan “Toyota Black Cab” di Tokyo.

Teksi ‘London Black Cab’ akan menjadi pemandangan biasa di Jepun dengan pelancaran TX Black Cab di Jepun. Syarikat Teksi London yang merupakan pembahagian sebuah syarikat yang dinamakan ‘Manganese Bronze’ sehingga 2013 dibeli oleh Geely dengan harga £ 11 juta. Sebelum itu, Geely memegang 20% pegangan dalam firma itu sebelum ia lingkup pada bulan Oktober pada tahun yang sama dan pengurusan Manganese terhenti selepas panggilan balik teksi hitam TX4 500 kerana kotak stereng rosak di tengah kerugian yang semakin meningkat untuk kumpulan itu.

Geely segera berikrar untuk mengekalkan 107 pekerja dan tapak pembuatan kumpulan itu di Coventry, England yang dialu-alukan oleh Datuk Bandar ketika itu, Boris Johnson yang kini sudah menjadi Perdana Menteri.

Pada bulan Mac 2015, pengurusan Geely mengumumkan pelaburan bernilai £ 250 juta untuk membina kemudahan penyelidikan, pembangunan dan pemasangan baru bagi syarikat London Electric Vehicle Company kerana kumpulan itu bersedia untuk memperkenalkan generasi akan datang elektrik dan London Black Cab pelepasan rendah ultra.

Pelaburan itu termasuk pembinaan kemudahan baru yang dibina di kawasan Ansty di Coventry, dekat dengan kilang sedia ada London Electric Vehicle Company. 

Kemudian pada Oktober 2019, semasa Persidangan Perniagaan Cina Dunia yang diadakan di UK, Gao Yunlong, Naib Pengerusi Majlis Perundingan Politik Rakyat China dan Pengerusi Persekutuan Industri dan Perdagangan Negara China mengetuai delegasi melawat Coventry.

Delegasi itu menyaksikan 3,000 pengeluaran TX elektrik di kilang London Electric Vehicle (LEVC) Ansty (gambar di atas) dan menghadiri sebuah pameran yang terdiri daripada model Lotus yang terkenal termasuk supercar elektrik tulen terbaharu mereka, Evija. Pengerusi Zhejiang Geely Holding Group (Geely Holding) Pengerusi Li Shufu menghadiri Persidangan Perniagaan Cina Dunia dan mengiringi delegasi ke Coventry.

KENYATAAN MEDIA: A London icon is about to become a familiar sight in Japan, as London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC) launches its electric TX model at an exclusive event in Tokyo yesterday.

The original London taxi, now totally redesigned for the 21st Century, is a purpose-built high-quality model suitable for both the taxi and premium shuttle markets, with ample space for six passengers, wheelchair access and renowned eCity technology.

The TX combines more than 130 km of zero-emissions pure electric range with the flexibility of a total electrically driven range of 600km – made possible thanks to the on-board range-extender. The class leading 8.45m turning circle allows drivers to negotiate tight spaces and narrow city streets with unparalleled manoeuvrability.

Premium and accessible, the electric TX will bring a whole new experience to Japanese passengers, not just meeting local regulations but far exceeding them, boasting a panoramic roof, charging points for mobile phones and laptops, alongside unrivalled cabin space.

It’s this unique combination of features that LEVC believes will be so appealing to operators of taxi and premium shuttle fleets in cities across Japan. The TX is expected to empower fleet operators, cities and e-mobility service providers to take a new approach.

Japan’s taxi industry has 240,000 vehicles in operation with 50,000 based in Tokyo as well as a growing number of on-demand passenger shuttle and ride sharing services in major cities. Thanks to its combination of greater space, agile manoeuvrability and far better wheelchair access, not to mention its iconic status as the original London cab, LEVC expects TX taxi and shuttle to be bought by operators who would otherwise use large premium saloons and minivans.

Joerg Hofmann, LEVC’s CEO commented:

“We are delighted to further grow our international footprint of green mobility solutions with the launch of the TX in Japan. We are reinventing a British icon, transforming the company from a traditional taxi manufacturer to a green mobility company, producing a wider range of electric commercial vehicles.  The electric TX will set new standards across Japan in the taxi and premium shuttle market, delighting passengers, drivers and fleet operators alike. We are looking forward to seeing TX on the streets of Tokyo and across cities throughout Japan.” ​

Fleetway and Service Company, based in Yokohama, has been selected as the official importer and retailer of LEVC models. Order books open in February and first customer deliveries begin in Q2 2020.

Since its launch in early 2018, over 3,800 TXs have been sold worldwide. The UK remains the biggest market, but LEVC’s expansion into new export markets continues at pace. The Japanese launch of the TX builds on existing sales in overseas territories such as Germany, France, Switzerland, Denmark and the Middle East.

LEVC’s range will grow further in 2020 with the launch of a new electric van, based on the TX Taxi and sharing the same eCity technology.

By 2022, LEVC expects that 60 percent of the vehicles built at its Coventry factory will be for export while the remaining 40 percent will service the UK. By 2024, the company aims to have fleets of TXs and electric vans operating in major cities around the world.