Manganese Bronze builds iconic London black cab in China

THE manufacturer of the iconic black cab in Coventry has now produced its first vehicle in China.

Manganese Bronze Holdings, parent company of Holyhead Road-based London Taxis International (LTI), has produced the first prototype TX4 taxi at its Chinese joint venture, LTI Shanghai.

The vehicle, along with other early production prototypes, will now be subjected to a thorough testing programme in accordance with the timetable leading to the start of commercial production at the end of 2008.

Manganese Bronze chief executive John Russell said: "We are pleased to have passed this milestone on the journey to commercial production of the world famous London taxi in China."

The company is working on the joint venture with Chinese car manufacturer Geely to help transform it into a global brand.

Geely has the rights to sell the London taxi in Asia while Manganese Bronze has the rights to distribute and sell the vehicle in the rest of the world.

LTI has produced black cabs in Coventry for 60 years. Mr Russell reaffirmed the company was committed to retaining production in city but added it was an exciting time to take the product global.