By Drew Johnson
Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011 @ 12:47 pm
 
Ford got an early jump on New York City's "Taxi of Tomorrow"Â competition - having launched a taxi version of its Transit Connect in early 2010 - but the city's Taxi and Limousine Commission has reportedly chosen Nissan's NV200 as it next yellow cab of choice.

According to the New York Daily News New York City's TLC has picked the Nissan NV200 over submissions from Ford and Turkish car maker Karsan. An official announcement on the subject is expected later today.

Set to replace the 16 models currently used as taxis in the Big Apple, the NV200 Taxi of Tomorrow is expected to arrive on the scene in 2013. The contract with the TLC will last for 10-years and is estimated to be worth more than $1 billion.

Karsan controversy
Although the smallest name of the three finalists, the Karsan design received strong support from advocates of the disabled as it featured ramps that could extend from both sides of the vehicle. Although the NV200 offers plenty of rear seat room, just a fraction of the vans are expected to be handicap accessible.

Currently just 240 of NY's 13,200 taxis are equipped to accommodate passengers in wheelchairs.

References
1.'New York picks...' view
2.'Nissan wins NYC...' view
  

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