The Nissan Cab

You know, I knew that as I was writing that last blog that it definitely wasn't something fantastic. But, they say practice makes perfect right? Well, I've got something to share to help me practice.

The Detroit News posted an article with some very interesting information regarding the taxi situation in New York City. It looks like the new fleet will be strictly Nissans for the next ten years. That's an astonishing contract. I think it's pretty easy to assume that the New York City cabs are some of the most used vehicles on the planet.

What I wonder now is what is going on with Ford? Have you noticed the changes they've been making? No more Crown Victorias. That means no more fleets of cops or taxis. Anyone that has ever been pulled over knows what a Police Interceptor Crown Victoria looks like. Though I'm looking forward to adding a bunch of links here, I'll let you google that one. Anyway, I haven't heard much about the new trucks they've got out, but I have seen a whole lot about the fiesta and the focus. Seems like things are shrinking in blue oval country. Even their new proposed Police Interceptor is based on the smaller Taurus. It's pretty clear, especially when you look at their home page, that they are diving head first into the compact car market. And their design team isn't far behind.

2013 Ford Focus ST (right) 

(Photo courtesy of Car And Driver)

2013 Ford Fusion (left)

(Photo courtesy of Car and Driver)

Whereas the consumer had almost no benefit from Ford's fleet vehicles, I believe the opposite to be true of the new Nissan taxi. According to The Detroit News article, the new taxi is going to have some very interesting features to look forward to. For instance, the non-stick antibacterial surfaces. I have no idea how that works, but if it does, it definitely provides a great deal of peace of mind. But what I'm really interested in is the "backseat cellphone charging and USB ports, a transparent roof panel, and independently controlled rear air conditioning."

With today's technology culture, we can't seem to be able to get away from electronics and the internet. We've gone from not even knowing what we could do with it, to making what we thought were awesome websites, to where finding someone that uses a cell phone that doesn't have internet is like finding a unicorn, in only about ten years. This Nissan cab is taking a page out of the Chinese auto industry and putting a lot more focus into rear seat passenger comfort. With Audi already into making your car a mobile WiFi hotspot, I'm sure it won't be long before that is implemented into the Nissan taxi. Once that's done, it shouldn't be difficult to implement that into mass produced consumer vehicles and before you know it your current car will be a relic.