Taxi drivers to sue manufacturer

Manganese Bronze, the leading manufacturer of the distinctive London taxi, said today (30 March) that it had become aware of a claim form issued in the High Court against its subsidiary LTI Limited, and eleven other parties, for alleged financial loss caused to 436 taxi drivers. The claim arises from a product recall, announced by Manganese Bronze on 26 September 2008, following twelve under-bonnet fires in early production models of the TX4 taxi, and the subsequent period during which taxis were taken off the road as a safety precaution while modifications were carried out to minimise any fire risks. The company, which now does most of its taxi manufacturing in China, said that although the claim was at an early stage, it appeared that all except one of the claimants was alleging loss of income alone, for when the taxis were off the road. An application is being made for a group litigation order so that points of principle can be decided together. The taxi drivers have yet to provide details of their alleged loss. Manganese Bronze said it would contest the claim and is satisfied that it has taken adequate steps to cover the cost of the litigation going forward.