Sales of Britain’s most iconic vehicle have plunged by 10%, according to new statistics.
Sales of London Taxis, which are manufactured by Coventry-based firm Manganese Bronze, dropped to 1,502 last year, compared to the 1,653 that were bought in 2010.
The Coventry firm’s latest figures show that there continues to be a gaping divide between sales in London and sales beyond the city. According to the statistics, sales of black cabs in the capital rose by 4% while deals in other regions fell drastically, some by as much as 31%,
Observers have put the poor performance down to low buyer confidence and economic uncertainty, combined with huge slumps in non-London trade.
London cabs, also known as Hackney Carriages, have been in use in the city since the early 20th Century and are generally seen as one of the most recognisable British-made cars. They can be found for sale as second-hand cars, but buyers are reminded that the type of car insurance required will vary according to the model of vehicle.
Copyright Press Association 2012