Geely’s TX4 London taxi enters ASEAN – Thai CKD

Geely’s TX4 London taxi enters ASEAN – Thai CKD

As the descendant of a long line of iconic London taxis, the TX4’s identity is inexorably tied to Britain’s capital, having served commuters there for the better part of a decade. But now, the defunct black cab is getting a new lease of life, a new stamp on its passport and a new home in the Land of Smiles.

That’s because Geely Commercial Vehicles (GCV), which owns the London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC) that previously built the TX4 as the London Taxi Company (and currently builds the new TX that has replaced it), is bringing it to Thailand as its first offering in Southeast Asia. Assembled by Asia Cab, the TX4 is the first in what is set to be a full range of commercial vehicles to be sold in the region.

Geely’s TX4 London taxi enters ASEAN – Thai CKD

Maintaining its 2,883 mm wheelbase and tall 1,823 mm height, the TX4 retains the bulbous design that has made it a recognisable part of London’s landscape, as well as its unique 1+2+3 seating configuration. However, it ditches its 2.5 litre VM Motori diesel engine in favour of a “modern” petrol mill, although GCV hasn’t released any specifics as yet. Chinese-built models use a 2.4 litre Mitsubishi petrol unit.

This, of course, isn’t the first time the TX4 has made an appearance in the region – it was also sold in Singapore, back when it was made by LEVC’s predecessor London Taxis International (LTI). That company was liquidated in 2013 and sold to Geely. The TX4 has also seen service in continental Europe, Australia and the Middle East as well as major Chinese cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou and Guangzhou.

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Jonathan Lee

After trying to pursue a career in product design, Jonathan Lee decided to make the sideways jump into the world of car journalism instead. He therefore appreciates the aesthetic appeal of a car, but for him, the driving experience is still second to none.

 

Comments

  • SUNNY on Nov 19, 2019 at 7:25 pm

    When the Whole World is Aggressive into Electric……. this Taxi is STILL in combusion engines !!! Going BACKWARD in tech ?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 5
    • Engineer on Nov 20, 2019 at 1:20 am

      Because the engineering was done by LTI previously, before Geely stepped in, so they cannot just simply change the engine out for EV one as they need to support the earlier cars.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
    • Pak Toh on Nov 20, 2019 at 9:30 am

      Geely’s dumping ground.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 2
      • Call it dumping, but that powertrain Geely uses is much more advanced that what our Japanese lords offers. So we welcome ‘dumping’ of better engine tech.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 2
  • granny on Nov 19, 2019 at 7:28 pm

    This old school Geely’s is good for other ASEAN.
    Axia/Bezza is more practical with best reliability, lowest fuel consumption and cheapest to maintain.
    Geely TX4 is got oversized interior but not comfortable for 7 seater – it is pretty pointless. Alza, Exora, Aruz serve the purpose and comes with more comfortable interiors.

    Malaysia/Singapore deserve the following London EV Cab, by Geely too:

    https://paultan.org/2017/09/12/london-ev-company-six-seater-taxi-640-km-range/

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 7
  • alldisc on Nov 19, 2019 at 8:16 pm

    Ahhh……the real fake taxi is here.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 3
  • Brian on Nov 20, 2019 at 12:01 am

    Tahniah Geely! Continue to expand more to Southeast Asia! Displace these lousy Jap brands that overcharges us for their lousy cars. They have been cheating us for decades.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • Wow. New car for fake taxi

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • I like this on Nov 20, 2019 at 12:45 pm

    Please bring it here. We love this design taxi cab

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
  • Jolene on Nov 21, 2019 at 5:24 am

    While consumer move from taxi to the grab or ehailing, sure this taxi will die together with taxi system. I think Nobody want to buy this ugly car for daily use haha

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 2
  • Idris on Nov 21, 2019 at 7:26 am

    Why can’t they bring the fully electric TX4 taxi here?
    I rode them in London; superb! Quiet, swift and comfortably spacious inside! Best of all, no pollution!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
 

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