Last year, the Nissan NV200 was selected as the winning model in the City's "Taxi of Tomorrow" competitive bid contract.  The car is expected to be the only model for all city taxis by 2014.  On October 31st 2011, Nissan unveiled the first model of the car during an expo at Madison Square Park.  Only the back cabin was on display.  The front cabin, where the driver sits, is not expected to be modeled until April 2012.

A delegation of NYTWA Organizing Committee members who toured the expo had several major concerns with the vehicle design.  Only two people could fit comfortably in the back.  A third passenger would have to tightly squeeze in and a fourth would definitely mean night drivers would lose safety in the front.  Even the small-sized Toyota Camry offers more width in the back.

The NV200 also has no roll-down windows for the passenger.  O.C. members told Nissan repeatedly that a sliding window is critical for riders, especially during the night.  Passengers vomiting gets ignored in NYC, but in some other cities there is even an extra charge for the rider in case of the car getting dirtied.  A roll-down window also makes all the difference when we gas up in the summertime, when gas is already high-priced and air conditioning drives up our costs.  

Additionally, there is a handle by the partition that could be dangerous, especially when passengers are exiting in a rush.  The handle should be higher, like we have now in most taxis.  The cash hole also has to be moved up and over so drivers don't strain their arms and shoulders from the constant necessary rotation.  NYTWA emphasized to Nissan that the partition hole has to be small and compact so that passengers can't reach their whole arms through it.  O.C. member, Mamnun Ul Haq, recounted his own experience of being knifed in the back through the partition hole.

NYTWA's comments at the expo were the latest in a series of conversations with Nissan.  We first laid out our overall demands with the design, mechanics, and driver comfort issues during a group meeting with the whole Organizing Committee and Nissan weeks after their selection was announced.

Driver Comfort

• An air-filtered driver seat, for ventilation
• Fully adjustable driver seat (forward-back, back angle, tilt)
• Strong and sturdy armrests
• 10 more inches for the driver in the front cabin

Structural

• Back windows that slide fully up/down
• A place for a tool box in the trunk
• Standard blind spot mirror on the left
• Easily removable and washable carpets
• Rear door frames that are screwed in, not fixed with plastic clips
  

Mechanics

• External gas pump and gas filter
• Disc brakes on all wheels
• Easily accessible spark plugs
• Oil pans
• Engine positioned or manufactured so that they don't become easily damaged on rough and pothole-ridden streets
• More space inside the trunk to make it easier for a mechanic
• A good turning radius
• Full-size spare tire
• Separate shocks and struts (springs)
• Durable bulb holders

Mechanics

• Plates of blocks with good gaskets to prevent oil leaks
• Front windshield that defrosts wiring for frozen wipers
• Solid suspension
• High quality rims that don't wear at the tires' collars
• Jack that is hydraulic and heavy duty
• One-door-at-a-time child locks to prevent passengers from exiting into traffic.

Warranty & Service

• 150,000 miles warranty for transmission and engine