Men work on the production line at the London Taxi Company in Coventry, Central England. (Photo : Reuters)
The pro-environment credentials that Beijing is gradually fostering within China's borders will extend overseas with the approval of a $300-million plant in Coventry, England, that will be home to the London Taxi Company's new manufacturing facility.
Rugby Borough Council officials informed the Chinese-owned company of the "green light" on Wednesday evening at its planning meeting.
The taxi-vehicle construction business had applied for a cutting-edge plant that would house facilities for research and development (R&D), as well as an assembly line to produce high-technology electric vehicles.
London Taxi Company representatives have revealed that the next generation of the London taxi will consist of zero-emission, electric-powered vehicles that are slated for a 2018 launch.
Located in the Ansty Park area of Coventry, the building will become the London Taxi Company's new global headquarters and will include office space for the supply chain team, the sales and marketing team, and administration staff; the latter will support the assembly operations.
Business leaders and local officlals commended the decision, viewing it as a major step toward the realization of the Rugby area's economic ambitions to become an advanced manufacturing-sector hub.
The chair of Rugby Council's Planning Committee welcomed the news, telling reporters:
"We are delighted the London Taxi Company has chosen Rugby as its new location. We hope it will attract other innovative businesses to our borough."
With another plant in Shanghai, the London Taxi Company is the leading global manufacturer and retailer of the London Taxi model. Approximately 12,000 of the specialist vehicles will be produced on an annual basis.
