London Taxis Lead Capital Motor Show Welcome Home

LONDON - July 16, 2006: London taxis are to take pride of place in a prestigious parade to welcome the British International Motor Show back to the nation’s capital.

Up to 100,000 people are expected to watch the parade of famous, historic, and futuristic cars through London’s streets, on Sunday, July 16.

And organisers decided that the world famous London taxi – a design inextricably linked to the city and seen across the globe as a symbol of Great Britain – should play a key role.

It will feature alongside around 250 other iconic vehicles in the parade that will be started by racing driver and model Jodie Kidd, the “face” of the show, which kicks off at ExCel, in Docklands, on Thursday, July 20.

Matthew Cheyne, Sales and Marketing Director for LTI Vehicles, the Coventry-based manufacturer of the London taxis, said: “It is only fitting that the black cab, known the world over as quintessentially British, should play a part in welcoming the nation’s premier motor show back to London.

“We are delighted to be playing a part in this parade and are looking forward to the show at ExCel.”

The British International Motor Show, which has not been held in London for 30 years, runs from July 20 to 30.

The parade will start at 2.30pm on Sunday. It will travel down Piccadilly, on to Lower Regent Street and into Cockspur Street before ending at Trafalgar Square. It is expected to take around one hour.