Taxi Innovation at the New York Auto Show

Design Trust for Public Space exhibit to shine spotlight on NYC icon

NEW YORK, March 23 -- In honor of the 100th anniversary of the modern-day taxi in New York City, the 2007 New York International Automobile Show (NYIAS) will host the Design Trust for Public Space's exhibit of innovative taxi prototypes that could usher in a brighter future of the iconic yellow cab.

"The New York Auto Show always strives to create unique and memorable experiences for visitors," said Mark Schienberg, President, Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association. "We're pleased to host this groundbreaking taxi exhibit with the Design Trust, as it promises to be a distinctly New York encounter for showgoers, and an opportunity to educate them about innovations to come."

The exhibit is part of Taxi 07, a project of the Design Trust for Public Space, that will celebrate the taxi's centennial, foster design innovation, and develop a taxi system strategic plan in partnership with the New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission.

"Stepping off the curb and hailing a cab is the quintessential New York act, symbolizing the power and freedom of our city," said Deborah Marton, Executive Director of the Design Trust for Public Space. "We're excited to join with the New York Auto Show and others to bring sustainable mobility, access for all, and good design to the New York City taxi."

In a show of support from the City, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg has designated "Taxi Week" in New York City from April 6-15, 2007, concurrent with the public days of the auto show, and the Empire State Building will be lit up in yellow to commemorate the taxi's centennial.

The centerpiece of the Taxi 07 project, the streetscape-themed exhibit will showcase the contributions of automotive, design, technology and academic partners. The Taxi 07 Exhibit, presented by Standard Taxi, will feature nine taxi prototypes, along with taxi-related installations and displays, which collectively highlight innovations in sustainable mobility, accessibility, and good design.

  Taxi prototypes and displays will include:

  -- The Kia Rondo Taxi, a collaboration with Kia Motors America, and top
     New York-based design firms Smart Design, Antenna Design, Birsel +
     Seck, and others, to transform this new crossover vehicle into an
     innovative yellow cab;

  -- The Standard Taxi, a purpose-built, fully ADA-compliant taxi equipped
     with an integrated recessed ramp to accommodate wheelchairs, motorized
     scooters, baby strollers and walkers;

  -- A lithium-powered, zero-emissions taxi from Hybrid Technologies
     leveraging the latest advances in battery technology;

  -- The race-ready World's Fastest Taxi, a Crown Victoria equipped with a
     1,000-horsepower hydrogen engine for projected speeds of 200 mph;

  -- A unique tribute to the yellow cab from RIDES(TM) Magazine -- a
     hi-riser Crown Victoria complete with an exaggerated ground clearance,
     large wheels, and bright paint; and

  -- Visionary taxi scale models and component prototypes from leading
     design schools Art Center College of Pasadena (Calif.), College for
     Creative Studies (Detroit), and Pratt Institute (Brooklyn, N.Y.).

The Taxi 07 Exhibit will be located in the inner roadway of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, at 11th Avenue and 35th Street in New York City, and will be open during the public days of the New York International Automobile Show. For more information about Taxi 07, visit: http://www.taxi07.org/.

ABOUT THE NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL AUTO SHOW

Kicking off the springtime selling season, the 2007 New York International Automobile Show (NYIAS) will feature an impressive collection of cutting-edge design and remarkable innovation. More than four floors of displays from the world's automakers will feature the newest vehicles and futuristic concept cars. More than 1,000 cars and trucks will be on display at the Javits Center, filling 846,000 square feet of exhibit space. In addition, dozens of World and North American vehicle debuts are expected at the Show. NYIAS is owned and produced by the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association.

For more information, or to purchase tickets for the New York International Automobile Show online, visit http://www.autoshowny.com/. Ticket prices are $14 for adults, $4 for children under 12.

  Important Show Dates
  Press Preview                April 4-5
  Public Sneak Preview         April 6
  Public Show Dates            April 6-15

  ABOUT THE DESIGN TRUST FOR PUBLIC SPACE

The Design Trust for Public Space is dedicated to improving New York City's parks, plazas, streets, and public buildings. Design Trust projects enrich the urban experience for all New Yorkers by turning good design intentions into reality. By forging public/private partnerships between neighborhoods, city agencies, and design professionals, the Design Trust creates powerful working relationships that overcome political and logistical hurdles. For more information, visit http://www.designtrust.org/.