NYC Gets Court Okay for Nissan “Taxi of Tomorrow” Plan

An appeals court in Manhattan has ruled that New York City may move forward with a $1 billion plan that makes Nissan Motor Co. the city's exclusive supplier of taxicabs for 10 years.

Nissan won the contract in 2011 after a three-way "Taxi of Tomorrow" competition with Ford and Turkey's Karsan Otomotiv. But taxi operators, who currently may choose among 16 models from nine manufacturers, filed multiple lawsuits to block the plan. They complained that the city's Taxi and Limousine Commission overstepped its authority when it dictated the use of a single model.

Nissan's winning vehicle is a modified, $29,700 version of the company's NV200 minivan. Among its features are power outlets for personal electronics, a see-through roof, reading lamps and antibacterial seating surfaces.

About 13,200 taxis operate in the city. Nissan's contract is to supply more than 15,000 cabs to New York's taxi operators.

Separately, Nissan is introducing an electric version of its NV200 van in Europe this month and in Japan in October. The company has said it eventually will offer an electrified version of its New York taxi.