NYC already misses Ford, Lincoln taxis

NEW YORK, June 26 (UPI) -- New York's taxi industry says it is so-far underwhelmed at the next generation of cars slated to replace the Fords and Lincolns that currently shuttle folks.

Ford has announced it will soon close the plant in Canada that manufactures the roomy Ford Crown Victoria and the venerable Lincoln Town Car, leaving the Big Apple looking at smaller cars, including hybrids and even Volkswagens, as replacements.

Ronald Sherman, president of the Metropolitan Taxicab Board of Trade, told The New York Times newer, smaller models aren't yet catching on. "These minis are ridiculous; passengers do not get into them," Sherman said.

The main difference between the muscular Town Cars and Crown Vics and their replacements is, obviously, room. The rear-wheel drive Ford stalwarts come with relatively huge trunks and back seats that make it easier to get in an out of and haul airport luggage.

Gas mileage is a drawback, which the Times said Saturday led Ford to pull the plug on the full-size vehicles. Town Cars don't sell well in the consumer market, and more and more U.S. cities are demanding better fuel economy from taxis and police cars on their streets.