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| London black cab production restarts six months after Chinese rescue | London black cab production restarts six months after Chinese rescue |
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| The production of London black cabs has restarted, six months after the company behind the famous vehicles was rescued by the Chinese company Geely Group. | |
| The business secretary, Vince Cable, officially restarted the production line of the TX4 black cab in Coventry on Wednesday. | The business secretary, Vince Cable, officially restarted the production line of the TX4 black cab in Coventry on Wednesday. |
| "After a period of worry and uncertainty for the workforce, Geely Group's investment has secured the future of the iconic black cabs company, protecting highly skilled jobs in the Midlands and ensuring that London cabs continue to be made here in Britain," he said. "It is also a clear demonstration of the success of the British car industry, which has gone from strength to strength even during tough economic times." | |
| Geely bought Manganese Bronze, which had been making black cabs since 1948, out of administration for just £11m in February. | Geely bought Manganese Bronze, which had been making black cabs since 1948, out of administration for just £11m in February. |
| Production of black cabs was halted in autumn 2012 when Manganese Bronze was forced to launch an emergency recall after discovering a steering fault that left some drivers "struggling to steer the vehicles correctly". | Production of black cabs was halted in autumn 2012 when Manganese Bronze was forced to launch an emergency recall after discovering a steering fault that left some drivers "struggling to steer the vehicles correctly". |
| Li Shufu, the chairman of Geely, which also owns Volvo, said restarting production had created 66 new jobs. However, 156 jobs were axed when Manganese called in administrators. | Li Shufu, the chairman of Geely, which also owns Volvo, said restarting production had created 66 new jobs. However, 156 jobs were axed when Manganese called in administrators. |
| "Today is a milestone in the history of the London Taxi Company, but it marks just the beginning of what we believe will be a strong and prosperous future," he said. | "Today is a milestone in the history of the London Taxi Company, but it marks just the beginning of what we believe will be a strong and prosperous future," he said. |
| "We are pleased to have created dozens of new jobs and have already begun work on the planning and design of the next generation of this iconic vehicle. Thanks to the work of everyone here and everyone that has supported us, LTC has an exciting future ahead of it." | "We are pleased to have created dozens of new jobs and have already begun work on the planning and design of the next generation of this iconic vehicle. Thanks to the work of everyone here and everyone that has supported us, LTC has an exciting future ahead of it." |
| Once fully up and running, the production line will complete about 10 new taxis a day. The company expects to export about half of the 2,000 vehicles it will produce in the first year, after winning contracts to supply Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. | Once fully up and running, the production line will complete about 10 new taxis a day. The company expects to export about half of the 2,000 vehicles it will produce in the first year, after winning contracts to supply Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. |