Vertu Motors

One of the UK’s leading suppliers of private hire and taxi vehicles, The Taxi Centre, is entering the black cab and hackney market after agreeing a new partnership with London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC).

The partnership makes The Taxi Centre – which last year celebrated 20 years of serving professional drivers – the new sales partner for LEVC in Scotland and North East England.

The Taxi Centre’s Glasgow showroom has undergone refurbishment to create a bespoke sales display for customers, with LEVC TX models available for Hackney Carriage and Private Hire use. In addition to sales, The Taxi Centre will provide full aftersales and services support for LEVC in the area.

With many councils across the UK introducing Low Emission Zones (LEZ) and Clean Air Zones (CAZ), taxi drivers are increasingly looking for low-emission, electric vehicles to reduce their day-to-day running costs.

To support the private hire and cab trade’s transition to ultra-low and zero emissions vehicles, the UK Government has extended its Plug-in Taxi Grants (PiTG) scheme until at least the financial year 2023/24, offering up to £7,500-worth of support to The Taxi Centre customers interested in LEVC models.

In addition, Scotland’s taxi drivers can benefit from 0% loans through the Energy Savings Trust, further reducing the cost of ownership. To celebrate the opening of the new LEVC showroom, The Taxi Centre is also offering an exclusive offer of 5 free services and 2-years extended warranty on the first 50 new LEVC TX orders placed.

Steve Dunn has been appointed Head of Business for The Taxi Centre to support its new offering. The Taxi Centre colleagues have undergone extensive training to enable them to provide customers with expert advice when looking to transition to LEVC’s electric TX taxi.

Additionally, Graeme Eagleson has been appointed the Field Sales Manager for the new franchise. Graeme will be working across the Taxi Ranks in his market area to help build the LEVC brand within The Taxi Centre’s area of opportunity.

Gregor Mackie, Divisional Operations Director of Vertu Ventures for the Vertu Motors group, of which the Taxi Centre resides within, said: “We are delighted to form this partnership with LEVC to offer drivers the option of a stylish, comfortable and functional vehicle, more in keeping with today’s black cab driver expectations.

“Being appointed as an LEVC franchise is a significant milestone for The Taxi Centre, as we expand our offering to include hackney and black cab drivers, alongside the private hire sector.

“LEVC is at the cutting edge of practical electric vehicle technology, offering more than 300 miles of range with its innovative range-extender technology. This eliminates range anxiety for drivers.”

Richard Hudson, Commercial Director at LEVC, said: “We are delighted to welcome The Taxi Centre to our network, significantly expanding LEVC’s presence in the north of the UK.

“The Taxi Centre is a well-established and recognised leader within the private hire industry and this new partnership will enable LEVC and The Taxi Centre to make significant in-roads into the region’s hackney cab market.

“Together, LEVC and The Taxi Centre can support a reduction in city-centre emissions, helping to improve overall air quality in busy urban environments.”

ENDS

NEWS RELEASE: ISSUED ON BEHALF OF VERTU MOTORS

CONTACT: Caroline Walker on 01325 363436

Notes to Editors

Vertu Motors plc is the fifth largest automotive retailer in the UK with a network of 160 sales outlets across the UK. Its dealerships operate predominantly under the Bristol Street Motors, Vertu Motors and Macklin Motors brand names.

Vertu Motors plc was established in November 2006 with the strategy to consolidate the UK motor retail sector. It is intended that the Group will continue to acquire motor retail operations to grow a scaled dealership group. The Group’s acquisition strategy is supplemented by a focused organic growth strategy to drive operational efficiencies through its national dealership network. The Group currently operates 156 franchised sales outlets and 4 non-franchised sales operations from 120 locations across the UK.

Vertu’s Mission Statement is to “deliver an outstanding customer motoring experience through honesty and trust”.

Vertu Motors Group websites – investors.vertumotors.com / www.vertucareers.com
Vertu brand websites – www.vertumotors.com / www.bristolstreet.co.uk / www.macklinmotors.co.uk / www.vertumotorcycles.com / www.vansdirect.co.uk / www.thetaxicentre.com / www.powerbulbs.com

About London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC)

LEVC’s history began in 1908 when the first dedicated black cab was specially designed and commissioned for use in London. With its unmistakable silhouette and classic design cues, this iconic British vehicle has defined the company for over a century. In 2018, LEVC introduced its latest taxi model, the electric TX. TX is world’s cleanest, most advanced taxi ever, powered by LEVC’s revolutionary eCity technology.

LEVC manufactures its purpose-built, range extended electric TX taxi at a state-of-the-art factory in Ansty, Coventry. Since 2014, Geely has invested more than £500m into LEVC, allowing it to build an entirely new eco-friendly manufacturing facility, the UK’s first dedicated to the production of electric vehicles.

In November 2020, LEVC started production of its first non-taxi model with the launch of VN5, a medium-sized electric van. Utilising the same eCity technology as TX, VN5 offers both zero-emission capability and zero range anxiety, a critical combination for commercial vehicle operators.

A new central European sales office in Frankfurt was established in 2019 to increase LEVC’s presence across Europe and further new markets such as Middle East, New Zealand and Australia will continue to increase the company’s export footprint. This strategy will see LEVC move from 90% domestic sales to 60% export in 2024.