The iconic black London taxi is to be partly made in China, manufacturers announced Tuesday, with production of the body panels and chassis shifting to Shanghai. Manganese Bronze, the leading manufacturer of the famous cabs, said the parts for its TX4 vehicles will be made in Shanghai, in a move costing 60 jobs at its plant in Coventry, west central England.
The company already makes taxis in Shanghai for the Chinese and international markets, under a joint venture. Manganese's London Taxis International arm, based in Coventry, has manufactured the cabs since 1948, but will now switch to an assembly role. The move "will lead to a smaller, lower-cost UK operation with a much greater level of supply from China," said Manganese chief executive John Russell.