New electric London taxi poised for second overseas market

[November 29, 2017]  LONDON (Reuters) - London's black-cab maker could strike a deal soon on the second overseas market for the new electric version of its famous taxi, the boss of the Chinese Geely-owned <0175.HK> firm told Reuters on Wednesday.

London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC) Chief Executive Chris Gubbey rides in one of the company's electric cabs during an interview with Reuters in London, Britain, November 29, 2017. REUTERS/Darrin Zammit Lupi

The London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC) picked Amsterdam earlier this year as its first foreign destination, where around 225 vehicles will be used as part of a service which transports the elderly and disabled.

Chief Executive Chris Gubbey told Reuters the firm was hoping to conclude talks with a second European location soon, potentially by the end of the year.

"Quite soon hopefully there will be an announcement on the second one after Amsterdam. We're getting very close now," he said.

LEVC is undergoing a major expansion plan which will see it sell around half of around 10,000 vehicles abroad by the turn of the decade, including a new van.

(Reporting by Costas Pitas; editing by Stephen Addison)

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