Nissan gets taxi approval

7/26/2011

Visitors to New York can start expecting to see the Nissan logo pretty much everywhere they go, as the automaker recently received approval for the Nissan Altima to be used as a taxi.

Nissan already has a good relationship with the New York Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC). The group chose Nissan's design as the winner of their "Taxi of Tomorrow" contest. That means in 2013, the city will begin replacing the current Ford Crown Victoria models with Nissan NV200s, a new design that the automaker is working on.

In the meantime, however, the Altima will be more common on city streets. Cabbies can ultimately use whatever model they want if they're buying their own car, but some need to be approved for use first. While the hybrid version of the Altima is already being used as taxis, the TLC recently approved the gas-powered Altima for use as well.

"We're excited about the expanded opportunity for New York taxi drivers and passengers to experience the Nissan Altima," said Joe Castelli, Nissan’s vice president, Fleet & Commercial Vehicles. "We're proud that Nissan was selected to provide New York City’s Taxi of Tomorrow and we’re focused now on delivering the safest, most comfortable and most convenient taxi ever to travel the city's streets. "