Turkish automaker Karsan may manufacture cabs in Brooklyn

NEW YORK (A.A) - 26.04.2011 - Turkish car manufacturer Karsan, one of the finalists competing to build New York City's new taxi cabs, said that it might manufacture the vehicles in Brooklyn, if it won the tender.
According to New York Daily News, Karsan USA's head official William Watchel has recently sent a letter to David Yassky, chairman of the Taxi and Limousine Commission, and a copy to Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, stating that Karsan considered doing some part of the production at an auto plant to be established in the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal, if it was the winner company in the NYC taxi cab tender.
The paper wrote that such a decision would provide employment opportunities for hundreds of people.
Karsan, Turkey's one and only multi-branded commercial vehicle producer, builds vehicles for several brands such as Peugeot, Citroen, Renault Trucks, Hyundai and BredaMenarinibus.
Turkey's Karsan and Japan's Nissan have been named finalists, along with Ford, in the multimillion dollar "Taxi of Tomorrow" contest aiming at manufacturing New York City's next taxi cab.
New York City launched the "Taxi of Tomorrow" project four years ago, with a goal of selecting one iconic design that's fuel-efficient and comfortable. The cab will replace the 16 models now authorized in the city.
Karsan's cab has two unique features: a glass, see-through roof providing views of the sky and skyscrapers, and ramps that mechanically extend to the street or sidewalk for wheelchair users.