Call Sign May 2010 - Page 10 - HOW CAN WE WIN BACK OUR WORK?

And so it goes on! Again I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the drivers that have contributed both verbally and responded in Call Sign. I understand the concerns and anxiety many have with the future of the trade and especially for the radio circuits. Nonetheless it was extremely gratifying that among the many responses, there were no political one-upmanships or discourteous comments as has been prevalent in the past. The comments and ideas that came from members was confirmation that all members consider Dial-a-Cab as their Society. It appears there is now an increase in work. However, the marketing and promotion of any industry or service is paramount to that organisation’s success. So here’s the thing... Sales Strategies Introducing Dial-a-Cab to potential users and also contacting our existing clients for them to be assured of the high level of service we provide is high on the BoM’s agenda. Our Sales Exec is doing her best to attract new business, but as any sales person will tell you, it can be a very difficult and sometimes soul-destroying job. It is clear by reading driver’s responses over the past months to my initial article in Call Sign that members consider Dial-a-Cab to be their Society, so perhaps our	HOW CAN WE WIN BACK OUR WORK? Mike Son continues the debate he began in the January issue...
	members could also help improve their revenue? A few years back during a previous downturn in the economy, the Board asked drivers to give to each of their passengers - whether an account, credit card or cash client - a Dial-a-Cab business card as the passenger left the cab. This proved to be quite successful and a number of enquiries led to accounts being opened. So please pick up a pack of business cards from drivers reception. Technology Technical advances in all areas of business and the reliance on new and innovative technologies has increased dramatically over the past few years. Advances in development of new interactive software and programmes built by the IT department at Dial-a-Cab has been astounding. New emphasis is being addressed as to how we can use different types of technologies to allow us to increase our market share of both the private and corporate public travelling sectors. Without going into specifics, our competitors should be very concerned about what Dial-a-Cab, its members, staff and Board will achieve in the very near future. Onward and upward ladies and gentlemen - and I do mean upward. TfL/PCO I don’t know if it’s my imagination, but whilst out working I’ve noticed an increase in the number of PCO and Police	checks that are made on drivers and taxis. Can someone - maybe from one of our representative organisations - tell me if this is correct because the minicab fraternity still seem to me to be hanging up on street corners and picking up fares illegally. On one occasion, a TfL/PCO representative pulled me over and wanted to check my licence and examine the cab, OK, I have to adhere to that request, however, I had a passenger on board. at the time. I said yes, of course you can make your checks but you will have to pay for the passenger’s extra cost in both time and fare. I was then told to move off without the checks! Come on fellows, what’s going on? Has the Mayor given instructions to harass cab drivers and is there an agenda from the building by the Tower to decimate our industry by restricting the age of cabs allowed to be licensed? Is it to allow minicabs to use bus lanes? Is it allowing minicab drivers to have minimal checks on their suitability to drive fare-paying members of the public? Is the strategy to increase the number of minicabs on the streets leading up to the London Olympics – now just 26 months away? Mayor Johnson, I know you read Call Sign, therefore can you let us know what your future plans are? After 45 years as a cab driver, I believe many others like me have a right to know... Mike Son DaC Special Projects

ARE GEELY MAKING THEIR OWN TAXI???

   In the July 2009 issue of Call Sign, we reported that Shanghai Maple Auto - the joint venture between Geely and LTI – were ready to sell the TX4 in China under the name of the Shanghai Englon TX4. It went on sale in the Chinese market with a price tag of around 220,000 yuan (aprox Ł20,000). The Chinese TX4 gives buyers the choice of a 2.4litre manual petrol gearbox or a 2.5 automatic diesel cab. The international market also opened up to the joint venture.
   With an annual capacity of up to 20,000 taxis, the July Call Sign estimated that the Shanghai factory would soon be producing over 90% of components for the London TX4. The recent announcement concerning the removal of TX4 body parts to the Chinese factory seem to help confirm that figure. We also estimated that because of the gradual shift to China, the price of a new TX4 could come down by around Ł2000 and possibly even more.
   Since then, Geely have made more headlines with their purchase of Volvo from Ford. But so far as the taxi business is concerned, another Geely sensation could be about to break. Are they about to build their own version of the London taxi for sale in London and the UK?
   Renamed as the Englon TXN, the new taxi was scheduled to be revealed at the Beijing Motor Show at around the same time you get this copy of Call Sign.
LTI have already asked Geely to become the major shareholder in LTI, so could this be the beginning of the end for the Coventry company? Many Dial-a-Cab drivers have visited the Holyfield Road factory via Call Sign organised trips to watch with fascination how a sheet of metal becomes a TX4. They may also have spoken to the staff and know they are probably as loyal to the London taxi as any

workers could be to a company. But the Chinese influence now seems to have become a torrent and could signal the demise of LTI as we know it.
   The only question left to ask is this? Are Geely about to take over LTI completely? After all, if they can afford to buy Volvo nothing is impossible.
   Managing Director of LTI, Peter Shillcock, told Call Sign in response: "LTI Vehicles have stated that the TXN Concept vehicle is not intended to replace the TX4 London Taxi. The TXN is a concept car that is intended for international markets. We have always said that our relationship with Geely would allow us to explore other vehicle designs and the TXN is the first example of this. This Concept Vehicle does not conform to UK disability legislation nor does it have the famous 25ft turning circle and therefore would not comply with PCO regulations for London. The vehicle is designed to showcase what we do best, which is our taxi knowledge and unique interior design ideas. This is definitely not the TX4 replacement and is aimed at international markets that need a smaller vehicle than the current London Taxi but would still benefit from our taxi experience with vehicle design. Manufacturers are always showing concept designs to test market reaction and refine their design ideas."
   At a meeting on April 12, Geely President and Executive Director, Gui Shengyue, confirmed that they would probably buy more shares in Manganese Bronze Holding.

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