MAY 2009
PRIVATEHIRE AND TAXI MONTHLY 123
point ofsale.....point ofsale ..... NEW LONDONAPPROVED MERCEDES VITO TAXI
COMES TO THE COVENTRY SHOW AT THE RICOH ARENA The new PCO-
approved Mercedes Vito Taxi, which was launched into London last summer, is now set to make its exciting debut at the Private Hire & Taxi Exhibition at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena later this month when it will be launched into the regional taxi mar- kets. KPM-UK Taxis, who have been appointed by Mercedes Benz as the UK’s Mercedes Vito Taxi dealer, are also announcing
the
appointment of two key taxi dealers to sell the new Vito Taxi alongside KPM in the regional markets. Taxifix, the long established taxi specialist based in Liv- erpool, will sell and support the Vito Taxi throughout the North of England while Gerard
Relax – it’s a Mercedes Benz The new Mercedes Vito Taxi has been specifi- cally designed for taxi use. Mercedes Benz has worked closely with its British engi- neering partner, One80 Limited, to bring taxi drivers a new approved
push of a button the driver can easily enable the system to complete the tightest of manoeu- vres. But the reason why the new Vito Taxi is such a huge step forward in taxi design is that it delivers a package of driver and passenger safety and comfort as well as a range of ‘extras’, fitted as stan- dard, which are second to none. There’s a spacious cockpit,
with an
adjustable seat cov- ered in leather for all-day comfort, which is wider and has con- siderably
more
Mann, one of the largest Mercedes Benz dealers in the country will cover the Midlands from its Coventry oper- ation. KPM will cover sales and support in London and the South. KPM’s Chairman, Peter DaCosta says: “I am absolutely delighted with the success of the new Mercedes Vito Taxi in London. Since the launch in August to the end of February the new vehicle has taken 25 per cent share of London’s new cab sales. Despite being in a depressed market, drivers who have bought the new Vito Taxi are reporting that the vehicle is definitely helping them
get
through these tough times, because of the quality of work they are picking up. KPM has been inundated with enquiries from all over the UK for the vehicle and after the successful
choice for a London taxi. This means that the new taxi will have all the safety features built into the vehicle to meet some of the highest taxi standards
around,
standards which have been adopted not only by London but also other major cities such as Manchester, Coven- try and Peterborough. Being a Mercedes, the taxi is completely cov- ered by a class-leading warranty, for three years or 150,000 miles. Servicing and repairs of both the vehicle and the specially adapted taxi pack can be carried out at any trained and authorised Mercedes Benz commercial deal- er. And, of course, the unique Low Speed Manoeuvrability system (LSM) enables the Vito Taxi to achieve the world famous 25-foot turning circle. When the Vito Taxi is travelling at five mph or less, at the
legroom than other cabs. “If there’s one thing drivers have noticed it is how comfortable the new Mercedes Vito Taxi is to drive. After a hard day’s work in a Vito Taxi every driver is reporting he feels totally relaxed. They all say the Mer- cedes is a real joy to drive!” says Steve McCarthy KPM’s Sales Director. The passenger com- partment, which is accessed from either side through electrical- ly operated sliding doors – operating at the touch of a button, is light and very spacious. Ease of access is fur- ther enhanced by an electric step on both sides as well as an ‘inner’ step. It’s also a six-seater! With three individual forward-fac- ing
and three
rear-facing seats, with ample leg-room and space left over for plen- ty of luggage. The tough division glazing acts as a head
restraint for the rear- facing passengers, with a payment window and a bright yellow pay- ment tray, automatically illuminated by an over- head LED to make it easier to see. The Vito Taxi which is priced at £34,858 on the road with 12 months’ road fund licence is also packed with a list of what are
launch in London the company and Mer- cedes-Benz feel that it’s now the ideal time to bring the new Vito Taxi into the regional mar- kets. And now, with the appointment of Taxifix and Gerard Mann in the regional markets, we have the ideal combi- nation
of a taxi
experience and Mer- cedes know-how to deliver regional cus- tomers
superb
product with an excel- lent service. ”
What the drivers say Now that the Vito Taxi has been launched for just over nine months, there’s been plenty of time to listen to driver opinion on the new taxi. Richard Belasco, who has been a cab driver for over 30 years, enthuses: “The Mer- cedes is superb to drive. Customers love the cab. Best 25,000 miles I have ever done as a cab driver!” Just as important is the
Acceleration Skid Con- trol (ASR), Electronic Brake Force Distribu- tion (EBV). And, of course, the driver’s airbag – all come as standard! The unique Service
ASSYST
engine management systemtells you when a service is needed and allows service intervals between 18,000 and 24,000 miles based on intensity of use.
feedback is so good, and I’m confident of winning even more new business. This is the most enjoyable six months of driving a cab I have had in 33 years.” Economy, as well as the additional work gained, is also featuring high in the drivers’ lists of ben- efits. Stephen Pettican is on the London Radio Taxis radio circuit says: “22,000 miles on a set of tyres only 50 per cent worn and wearing per- fectly evenly. One service a year. 28 mpg in city use. Need I say more!” David Ember- ton, a driver for ten years and on the Com- Cab circuit,
said:
“Excellent cab, eco- nomical, reliable and very comfortable. I am getting better work and as a result I have had to get business cards made up as customers keep asking for my number. Michael Mar- shall, with 23 years’ taxi driving experience, tells us that “I have had the cab more than six months and I can’t believe how the Vito Taxi has been received by the public. The cab is more comfortable, quieter and very eco- nomical. The amount of customers
booking
often considered as extras or not available at all, but are all stan- dard for the Mercedes: • Front and separate rear air conditioning • Front and rear park- tronic for easier parking • 5-speed automat ic transmission with tip- tronic, enables both auto and manual use • The LSM rear wheel steer system • Powered side doors, controlled by the driver • Leather driver’s seat • Metallic paint as stan- dard Mercedes Benz is
renowned for its engi- neering and safety systems and the new Vito Taxi has a range of technological advances that are second to none, such as Adaptive ESP stability gramme,
pro- ABS,
fact that drivers are picking up extra work in the Mercedes: clients who had moved over to private hire are coming back to the Mercedes Vito Taxi because of the superior room and comfort. Says one driv- er, David Murray, who has been a driver for 33 years: “I’m setting up my own website because the customer
jobs after one ride is unbelievable.” For more informa- tion or to organise your test drive, con- tact any of the Mercedes Vito Taxi specialists. North: Taxifix on 0151 482 5101; Midlands: Ger- ard Mann on 0845 125 4667; South: KPM UK Taxis on 020 7375 1179. See the Mercedes Vito Taxi at the Pri- vate Hire & Taxi Exhibition, 27-28 May in Coventr y. See our advert on page 69.
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