Malibu heading into NYC Taxi Service as Plan for Hybrid Taxi Fleet Moves Forward

[prototype66]

Originally Posted by Beau

Let me guess these are those BAS "HYBRIDS" that are good for an OH so relavant 26 mpg... Lol. At least they won't be burning much fuel idling.

Thats kind of the point. Hello?

[Buick61]

Here's a list of all the eligible cars for taxi duty in NYC:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/tlc/html/saf...vehicles.shtml

And here are some fun photos of a few of them with the new taxi logos (I like the reference to the Checkers on the rear quarter panels)

http://www.nyc.gov/html/tlc/html/saf...vehicles.shtml

[1487]

i saw camry hybrid taxis in Northern VA this past weekend.

[98sonoma]

In Vegas, Malibu's are everywhere as taxis. I don't recall seeing any hybrid 'bu's though...I'll look again when I go in October.

Originally Posted by jknudson98

Malibu as a taxi? I could think of better cars to use. The rear seat is a little tight and the trunk opening is a bit small to load larger items.

[logansowner]

Originally Posted by caddycruiser

All over, actually. My dealer that was nada on Malibus for a long time there has 3 Hybrids right now.

They were non-existent then all of a sudden production started and poof, everyone had at least one.

Yep, and the dealer here still has the same one they had last month. Guess people are smart enough to realize that the Malibu is a pretend hybrid. Can't even shut the engine off if you use the AC.. :LMAO: For the 7 days a year you don't need AC I spose it would be great.

[fan]

Actually some hybrid decals would fit on these taxis. Like those on the sides of Tahoe hybrid.
And how about Flex Fuel taxis or buses? Several ( at least one) E85 refueling stations would be enough for a not so huge city.

[powervette]

greetings from Dubai

[ChevroletRevived]

I think this can be a good thing, getting people to know how good the Malibu is. Not like it's being singled out or going into service as the lone, widespread vehicle (like the Crown Victoria did).

[AndrewGS]

I was surprised to find an '08 Malibu Hybrid sitting on a local dealer's lot last week. It was behind an Equinox instead of up front trying to find a buyer.

[chakis24]

Originally Posted by joemac

Smart move. Use city tax dollars to buy foreign products. We have no consideration or concience.

yeah, really. we've got 5 shiny new priuses here at work now. i refuse to drive them.

[roy219]

Originally Posted by joemac

Smart move. Use city tax dollars to buy foreign products. We have no consideration or concience.

No consideration or conscience?
Municipal and state governments in the U.S. have been purchasing foreign goods and services for many decades, either directly or via mandates and/or incentives for privately owned entities like NYC Yellow Cabs.

Just take a look at the fleet (past and present) of buses operated by MTA New York City and Chicago Transit Authority, for instance. There are numerous foreign companies represented.

In any case, the Malibu Hybrid should make an excellent cab, with a roomy back seat and fairly capacious trunk for a hybrid sedan.

[RSW]

Originally Posted by logansowner

Yep, and the dealer here still has the same one they had last month. Guess people are smart enough to realize that the Malibu is a pretend hybrid. Can't even shut the engine off if you use the AC.. :LMAO: For the 7 days a year you don't need AC I spose it would be great.

Have there been any hints at future GM full hybrid cars (versus full-hybrid trucks and pretend hybrid cars)?

I can't see why there isn't more interest in flex fuel hybrids like the Saab concept.

In my eyes, an awesome coup would be a reasonably priced true hybrid Malibu or true hybrid Invicta that takes E85.

[Buick61]

I saw a Prius hybrid in Manhattan on Saturday. Lots and lots of hybrids on the roads now. I didn't see any Malibus or Altimas, but I did see an immense number of Escapes, and a spattering of Highlanders and Camry Hybrids.

[AMERICA 123]

Originally Posted by montrealvue

You would think Toyota would be in on this In many cities, most taxis are Prius' . Why not NY?

- parts of the answer here.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/...new-york_N.htm


NYC taxi fleets may have trouble shifting to hybrids

By Sharon Silke Carty, USA TODAY

- Toyota, which makes four of the eight vehicles on New York's approved-cars list, says it doesn't yet support its cars for use as taxis.

So rather than buying vehicles through a fleet program, taxi operators have to get in line like any other customer for a Toyota. Supplies of its hybrids are short: There are only three and four days' worth, respectively, of Prius sedans and Camry hybrids on dealer lots.

Tom Voll, field fleet manager for Toyota, says the automaker is doing what it can to help out taxi drivers, but gas prices are making it hard to keep up with demand.

"Several months ago, there was reasonable availability for consumers and fleets to buy from dealer stock," he says. But with the rapid consumer shift toward hybrids, "Demand has increased significantly. As a result, our ability to fill demand is constrained."

[Buick61]

Originally Posted by Buick61

I saw a Prius hybrid in Manhattan on Saturday. Lots and lots of hybrids on the roads now. I didn't see any Malibus or Altimas, but I did see an immense number of Escapes, and a spattering of Highlanders and Camry Hybrids.

AH HA! Last weekend I saw both a Malibu Hybrid taxi and a Nissan Altima Hybrid Taxi within a block of each other in NYC.

I gotta say, the Malibu Hybrid looks pretty sharp in yellow. It's the best looking NYC taxi since the Checker.