“WE ARE pleased, honoured and enthusiastic to launch our iconic taxi into the Cyprus market and are confident that we are in very good hands.”
That was the verdict last night of London Taxis International, who officially unveiled London’s world-famous black cab, which will soon be available in Cyprus.
At a news conference at the residence of the British High Commissioner in Nicosia, the Char. Pilakoutas Group, which is importing the taxis to the island, showed off one of the TX4 vehicles.
Marketing Manager Andros Skalistis told the Mail that, “there is a big market in Cyprus for these cabs and we are very confident of selling good numbers.”
He added that they will be available to everybody, but will prove to be most popular with taxi drivers.
“This is the only vehicle designed specifically to carry different kinds of paying passengers and will also be the only standard taxi on the island capable of transporting five people plus the driver.”
He added that the cabs will make the lives of disabled people much easier, thanks to special wheelchair ramps, as well as offering an extremely comfortable ride.
Managing Director of the Group, Charalambos Pilakoutas, explained that, “various surveys have proven that the London taxi is the best in the world and there is a real need in Cyprus for such a vehicle, which caters equally to both passenger and driver.
“We are proud to have the taxi in our fleet and will continue with our passion for excellence.”
On his part, British High Commissioner to Nicosia Peter Millett, himself a Londoner, stated: “I am absolutely delighted to see a London icon in Cyprus and am sure that it is the best and safest taxi in the world, coming with great tradition and a long history.”
According to Pilakoutas, prices will start at €39,000 with many different colours available.
“We have already taken three orders, two of which have been placed by taxi drivers,” said Skalistis.
Not everybody was impressed however. Veteran cabbie Theodosis Ioannou, who has been driving taxis across the island for 35 years, said: “To me, the price seems a bit high as you can buy a Mercedes for a few thousand pounds more.
“One thing I’ve learned after all these years is that the Cypriot [customer] is very particular and will settle for nothing less than a Mercedes-Benz.”
