BP MARKOWITZ URGES SELECTION OF KARSAN TO BUILD NYC'S "TAXI OF TOMORROW" IN BROOKLYN
Karsan says auto plant in Sunset Park would create hundreds of new jobs
On Sunday, May 1, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz joined elected and union officials, Turkish Consul General in New York Mehmet Samsar and disability and transportation advocates at Brooklyn Borough Hall to call for the selection of Karsan as the manufacturer of New York City's "Taxi of Tomorrow." The Turkish carmaker is pledging to locate an auto plant--New York City's first in nearly a century--at the South Brooklyn Marine Terminal in Sunset Park, which would bring hundreds of new jobs to Brooklyn. Representatives from Karsan attended the press conference, and a prototype of Karsan's entry in the competition--the V1--was on display in Borough Hall/Columbus Park Plaza.
"This really shouldn't be a difficult decision," said BP Markowitz. "First of all, let's start with the fact that Karsan's model has trounced the competition in the Taxi of Tomorrow website's online poll. But an even better reason is that Karsan has pledged to build these taxis right here in Brooklyn, USA, in partnership with the Axis Group. Given the economic climate we find ourselves in, there is nothing more important than 'jobs, jobs, jobs.' Bringing Karsan to Brooklyn would create up to 800 new jobs right here, right now. The jobs of today can be provided by the Taxi of Tomorrow."
"Of the three finalists for the Taxi of Tomorrow, only Karsan can deliver an iconic cab designed for New York, built in Brooklyn, and accessible to all," said Karsan USA President William Wachtel. "If selected, we look forward to working with the Borough President and other elected officials, as well as with the local business and civic community, to assemble the Karsan taxi and generate hundreds of new jobs right here in Brooklyn."
"We applaud the Karsan automobile company for its pledge to create approximately 800 jobs in Brooklyn," said State Senator Eric Adams. "The opening of their new automobile plant would help to revitalize Brooklyn's business community, and serve as a much needed alternative to outsourcing. Coupled with the fact that this automobile plant would build wheelchair accessible taxi cabs, this is a win-win for all New Yorkers."
"I am so excited about the possibility of Karsan coming to Brooklyn," said Assembly Member Micah Kellner. "New York's iconic taxi built in New York and most importantly accessible to all New Yorkers. This is truly a win-win situation."
"Good blue collar jobs and a working waterfront--what a win-win for Brooklyn, the City of New York and our Port," said Roland Lewis, president and CEO of the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance. "Shipping the auto parts though our harbor via our blue highway and assembling the Taxis of Tomorrow right at the water's edge in Brooklyn will be good for our environment and our economy."
"We are thrilled to be supporting Karsan for assembly of the Taxi of Tomorrow," said Julie Kushner, director of United Auto Workers (UAW) Region 9A, which covers the New England states, Puerto Rico, and eastern New York (including New York City), "because they will be assembling the taxis right here in Brooklyn using engine made by UAW members. The jobs that would be created by Karsan represent the first auto assembly jobs in the city for decades and we're happy to be a part of improving our local economy."
Sixty-five percent of respondents "liked" or "loved" the design in a survey conducted by the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission; no other finalist exceeded 43 percent. According to Karsan, its taxi's unique features include comfortable seating for four passengers with great leg room--even more than the classic Checker; a panoramic glass roof; and a factory-installed automated ramp providing wheelchair access from the curb, on either side, directly into the passenger area.
If the Karsan V1 is selected, New York City would become the world's first city whose entire taxi fleet is fully accessible and compliant with the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
"The Taxi of Tomorrow is supposed to be the ''iconic' image of New York City," said Marvin Wasserman, executive director of the Brooklyn Center for Independence of the Disabled. "What could be more 'iconic' than a taxi that is wheelchair accessible and made in Brooklyn? This is a taxi for all New Yorkers."
For more on Karsan's taxi, visit http://karsantaxinyc.com .
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In photo: The Karsan V1 Taxi prototype
Photo by Mark Zustovich
