Welsh made taxi is launched to hail orders


Brecon Beacons Coachworks has unveiled a new seven-seat taxi. Based on the Citroen Dispatch Enterprise, the BB Coachworks model features sliding side doors suitable for wheelchair access and users, with passengers sitting “conference” style facing each other when the rear-facing seats are folded down. A purposed-designed on-board ramp can be fitted in seconds to either side step to allow wheelchairs to be placed in the vehicle and secured, and there is a security screen between the driver and passenger compartments. Luggage is carried behind the passenger compartment. The BB Coachworks taxi uses the proven 120bhp Citroen turbo-diesel engine and it is supplied exclusively through Thomas and Davies, Merthyr Tydfil for around £21,000, plus VAT.. BB Coachworks director John Wiggins launching the model to the media said, “The Citroen Dispatch Enterprise is a very good basic specification for conversion and has a proven record for reliability over high mileages and we thought it is an ideal base model for us to develop. “The new model we are building at Brecon meets the latest licensing regulations and we believe it will prove popular with taxi operators, local authorities and private providers. We have already had a lot of interest shown in it by one Welsh authority for their transport needs.”
Scott Michael, commercial vehicle sales manager Citroen UK, looked at the Brecon Beacons Coachworks conversion of the Dispatch Enterprise and said afterwards, “It seems to be a comparable product in the market. The market is very price sensitive and I think it has a good chance to be a success.”	John Wiggins said, “Using our extensive experience in coachbuilding we have provided the new model with the latest quick-release seating system which means it can be quickly reconfigured for a variety of users and then returned to another setting for the next user. “Wheelchair users are securely strapped into the vehicle using the seat belts provided and their helpers can sit beside or infront of them as there is plenty of legroom inside the cab.” Brecon Beacons Coachworks take two weeks to convert the basic Citroen van into the taxi using bought in and specially fabricated components and want to source more parts from within Wales as orders increase.

Thomas and Davies MD Jason Thomas (pictured extreme right with John Wiggins) said, “We have worked with John Wiggins on a number of projects and were very impressed by the quality of his coachbuilt models and have no doubt this taxi will become very popular in what is a price sensitive market place, where his quality of workmanship will stand out above competitors. I think it will do very well.”
	© Images Owen Roberts
He added, “We and Citroen are so confident in the new model that it will be sold with the usual 3years and 100K warranty so customers can buy with the utmost confidence.”