Never said NZ was in Asia, but since there aren't any NZ brand cars that I
know of, I figured I'd use Asia as an example.

As for taxi drivers... after 20 years in the auto repair business, I can
unequivocally state that taxi drivers/owners are the cheapest customers I've
ever had.  Most of the time they show up with a used part from one of the
pick & pull junk yards and try to get it installed for half the labor.  Then
they have the nerve to get upset when the part fails and I wont replace it
for free.

So perhaps the NZ taxi drivers drive Toyotas because there's an ample supply
of junkers available for parts.

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
Of Andrew Grebneff
Sent: Saturday, December 21, 2002 1:22 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Mercedes 5cyl 300TD in vanagon?

>In the US, most taxis are American... wonder why?

Cheap. Also all fleet buyers in bulk.

>In Europe, most taxis are European... wonder why?

The Europeans get fleet offers for taxis... and these are special strippers.

>etc...  etc...
>
>I bet in Asis, most taxis are Asian... I think I know why.

NZ isn't Asia. Here taxis are all individually owned (not fleet), so
the buyers will generally ensure that they buy RELIABLE durable
cars... with electric everything, of course... not many stripper
taxis here.

Mercedes, Ford Sierra, Opel have all been tried... and ditched in
favor of Coronas and Camrys. Doesn't this tell you something?