Metrocab

Metrocab is a British manufacturer of taxicabs.

The company was known for producing the MCW Metrocab, latterly based in Tamworth in operation under various owners from 1989 to 2006. Various versions developed from the original MCW Metrocab were built over the years. Metrocab entered administration in 2006.

The Metrocab name was purchased by Frazer-Nash Research, in conjunction with Ecotive Limited. In 2014, they launched the New Metrocab, the first authorised electric-powered London black cab.[1]

History

MCW

The company was created by Metro Cammell Weymann (MCW) as a taxicab manufacturing enterprise, producing the MCW Metrocab.

Reliant

In 1989, Reliant acquired Metrocab from MCW, and transferred the plant to Tamworth.[2]

Hooper

Following the collapse of the Reliant Group in 1991, Metrocab was bought out of receivership by the vehicle coachbuilder Hooper.[3] In December 2000 the company suspended trading,[3] and the corporate recovery firm of Leonard Curtis was appointed as administrators.[4]

Kamkorp

In June 2001, Kamkorp purchased Metrocab's assets from the receiver and restarted production under the new holding company Metrocab (UK).[5] In April 2005, Metrocab restarted production of the Metrocab after a 14 month suspension.[6] Production at Metrocab finally ceased in April 2006.[7]

Production of the original Metrocab ceased in 2006. In 2014, the electric-powered New Metrocab was launched. It is the first authorised electric-powered London black cab.[1]

Notes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Hilton Holloway, London's Electric Cab Goes Live, Autocar 11 February 2015
  2. ↑ "TAXICAB MAKE and MODEL HISTORY: Metrocab". London Taxi.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Metrocab lays off 170 staff". Evening Standard. 2001-01-10.
  4. ↑ "Business Recovery - Black cab firm in red". Accountancy Age. 2001-01-17.
  5. ↑ "Metrocab to resume taxi manufacture in two weeks". The FT.
  6. ↑ "Metrocab rides into more promising future". The Independent.
  7. ↑ "London Taxi History: TODAY". London Vintage Taxi Association.