Cab topics (general)

The London black cab is entering the next round. The manufacturer LEVC has announced that in 2027 it will bring a completely new taxi model to market. Geely is therefore continuing to rely on LEVC to deliver accessible, purpose-built vehicles for professional passenger transport.

Shortly before the Berlin state election, the mobility platform Bolt is distributing 1,000 free doner kebabs. While the company is mobilizing against planned minimum prices in the taxi and rental-car sector, the Federal Association of Taxi and Rental Cars speaks of a political advertising campaign with a questionable message.

On September 20, Berliners will elect a new state parliament. For the taxi and rental-car sector, this is about far more than the question of the next governing mayor. Minimum fares, the regulation of Uber and Bolt, and the role of taxis in the mobility transition are among the topics on which the parties place notably different emphases.

At the IAA Transportation 2026 in Hanover, not only parcel delivery services and trades businesses are in focus. Many of the new vans could soon also operate as accessible and multi-passenger taxis. Faster charging technology, longer ranges, and flexible interior concepts are changing the outlook for electrically powered passenger transport.

The TMV has placed its demands for a reform of the passenger transport law in the Bundestag. In a conversation with the Green Party MP Victoria Broßart, the focus was mainly on platform ride-hailing cars, the cash-register requirement, and the economic situation of the operators.

Taxi and rental-car companies see themselves not only as mobility service providers but also as part of the local community's social life. In a conversation with CSU Member of the Bundestag Stephan Mayer, the VSPV advocated that the industry's voluntary engagement be given greater consideration in the political debate.

To mark the 140th anniversary of innovation, Mercedes-Benz is on a transcontinental journey worldwide. Currently, the convoy is touring Africa and will traverse Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa. In addition to the Equator, Nairobi National Park and the Kilimanjaro mountain range, the S-Class can expect many more highlights on the African continent.

Taxi drivers know the daily routine between the train station, the hospital and the airport. Cindy from Styria, on the other hand, has a somewhat more unusual workplace: She drives tourists in a 1,217-horsepower monster truck through an active open-pit ore mine. The television calls it the "world's biggest taxi" – and that's not entirely wrong.

A study commissioned by the car rental lobby portrays German taxi fares as overpriced and calls for more price competition. But the comparison omits central cost factors. Those who only look at the fare overlook why taxis in Germany operate differently than many platform models.

For taxi companies that rely on Tesla electric vehicles, the taxi conversion will become easier in the future. The Austrian taximeter manufacturer HALE has presented a technical solution that is intended to speed up installation, reduce costs, and render additional hardware unnecessary.

The warning is unusually clear. In a circular to its members, the Association of Sick- and Disabled-Transport Services NRW (VdKBf NRW) is sounding the alarm. The trigger is a letter from the Association of Substitute Health Insurers (vdek), which already indicates how the statutory health insurers intend to interpret the new statutory requirements for remuneration development from 2027.

From 1 November 2026, passengers in Bremen will be able to agree on a binding fare for pre-booked taxi rides. The Hanseatic City of Bremen thus uses an option that the PBefG has already provided for since 2021 — and at the same time responds to the growing competitive pressure from platform providers such as Uber and Bolt.

The Mobility Association VSPV and the Social Association of Germany (SoVD) want to push the Inclusion Taxi forward politically. At a meeting in Berlin, the two organizations agreed on further steps to permanently anchor the service in social law and to establish it as a fixed component of an inclusive public transport system.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has started production of the revised Caddy in Poznań, Poland. The model features a modernized design, considerably more standard equipment and new digital functions. For taxi operators, the high-roof van remains especially interesting due to its flexibility, barrier-free conversion options and the plug-in hybrid drive.

The taxi and rental car industry is facing important legal and economic turning points. At the action day for ride services on September 19 in Ahlen, industry representatives, lawyers and entrepreneurs will discuss two topics that directly affect the future of many businesses: the GKV Contribution Rate Stabilization Act and the consequences of a recent court decision on taxi special agreements.

Five years after the reform of the Passenger Transport Act (PBefG), the BVTM (Federal Association of Taxi and Rental Cars) advocates targeted further development of the legal framework. Central to this are digital matchmaking platforms, stronger enforcement of existing regulations, and greater leeway for municipalities.

The mobility association VSPV and the Taxpayers' Federation want to cooperate even more closely in the future. At the center are economic policy issues, the interests of small and medium-sized enterprises, and questions of mobility and infrastructure policy. For VSPV members, the cooperation also brings a concrete added value: They will receive one year of free access to the services of the Taxpayers' Federation.

The insolvency of the United Taxi Center Gütersloh and Verl affects not only around 70 employees and numerous passengers. With the end of operations, 17 taxi licenses also become available. For the remaining companies, this thus opens up a rare opportunity – while at the same time the licensing authority faces a difficult task.

Platform economy, competition distortions and the question of how mobility in rural areas can be secured: The VSPV is seeking to join forces with an influential partner of the German economy, the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DIHK).

The electric fastback sedan complements the G6 in the conversion specialist's portfolio. It offers up to 350 kilowatts of charging power, 573 liters of luggage space, and various battery variants.

Member companies can obtain vehicles from Volkswagen, BYD and Ford, including industry-specific upfitting. For BYD, there are three equipment packages to choose from.

The ride-hailing company is reducing its global workforce by around ten percent and streamlining the leadership structure. In parallel, the multi-billion-dollar bid for Delivery Hero is under way.

The Ioniq 5 can be equipped for taxi operation starting at 1,000 euros. New terms also apply for the i30 Wagon, Tucson, and Staria.

As of September 1, 2026, Dortmund will introduce a fixed-price option for taxis and a minimum fare for taxi-like rental cars. Freenow by Lyft enables booking at a fixed price from day one via its app.

A nationwide strike brings taxi traffic to a standstill in many areas on August 27. The taxi union Uritaxi is not participating in the strikes and is pursuing negotiations instead of industrial action.

As the drivers of a Hofer taxi company wanted to put their vehicles into operation on Saturday morning, they were met with an unusual sight: more than 30 taxis had been smeared with orange paint overnight. In addition, the previously unknown perpetrators had left a pungent-smelling liquid on the vehicles. What initially appears to be a particularly annoying case of vandalism could have significant economic consequences for the affected company.

Anyone currently driving through Vienna, Graz, or Linz might encounter them: 15 taxis that not only transport passengers but also carry a message. On their bodies they advertise the campaign "No More E-Fears!", with which the Austrian Ministry of Mobility aims to reduce reservations about electric mobility.

Following indications of potentially waiting rental cars, the police in Bad Kreuznach checked two vehicles in the vicinity of the fair. Whether the drivers have violated the applicable transport regulations is still being investigated.

(dpa) The US company had automatically suspended drivers' accounts, without informing them. The Dutch data protection authorities ruled that this was a violation of European law.

When people today talk about Mercedes-Benz station wagons, many think of the T-model of the 123 series. Since its introduction in 1977, this body style has been firmly part of Mercedes-Benz DNA. What is less well known, however, is that the history of Stuttgart's station wagons began much earlier — and not in Sindelfingen, but in the Belgian city of Liège.

The planned reform of the cash-register regulations is intended to make tax evasion more difficult and to improve the traceability of business transactions. In the taxi and rental-car industry, the plan is generally welcomed. But even before the legislative process is completed, a new conflict is looming.

The accelerated transition to electric mobility is injecting more activity into the vehicle market of the taxi and rental-car industry. Retrofit specialist Adler is now expanding its existing program with two additional models: alongside the already presented Xpeng G6, the Xpeng P7+ sedan and the G6 SUV in pale ivory will now also be available.

For a long time, sustainability was mainly considered a topic for industrial companies, energy providers or large corporations. In the meantime, the view has changed. Climate protection, resource efficiency and social responsibility have also become important competitive factors in the transport sector – the taxi trade is already putting this into practice.

There are quite a few people who consider the taxi color to be unfashionable and ugly. Now the luxurious Maybach of basketball star LeBron James is being auctioned off. Mercedes has equipped the vehicle in the Manufaktur program with all imaginable luxury, and has chosen a light ivory tone as its exclusive color!

The challenges facing the taxi and rental car industry are diverse: rising costs, the competition with platform providers, the shortage of skilled workers, and political debates about the future of passenger transport. The Taxi Federation of Lower Saxony therefore relies on direct dialogue with the business owners on site. This week, a dialogue tour is stopping in five cities in Lower Saxony.

The Fürstenfeldbruck Taxi Radio Cooperative e.G. urges the district office to examine the introduction of a minimum fare for rental cars. The appeal is addressed to District Administrator Thomas Karmasin. Link to the petition at the end of the article!

While platform providers like Uber have long since established themselves in many German cities, their expansion in Rhineland-Palatinate is still at a comparatively early stage. It is precisely there that the MOLO Mobility Association sees an opportunity.

More than 500 kilometres of range, hybrid powertrains and 800-volt technology: The planned vehicles meet the different requirements of taxi and rental-car operators.

In Cologne, Essen, and Munich, minimum prices for rental cars are under legal review. The Federal Association of Taxi and Car Rental sees the procedures as part of the development of a robust legal practice.

The second bellwether trial in the US mass tort case over alleged sexual assaults also ends in a defeat for Uber. The renewed finding that Uber can be held liable for the conduct of a driver placed by Uber strengthens the position of the now nearly 4,000 plaintiffs.

Up to 510 kilometers of range, 220 kW charging power, and additional storage space under the front hood: The electric SUV is now also available for taxi and rental car operators.

The planned regulations are intended to curb tax fraud. However, the Federal Association of Taxi and Hire Cars sees the danger that platform-mediated transport will be privileged over traditional operators.

(dpa) The new price guidelines have only been in effect since the beginning of July. Now they are keeping the judiciary busy – and Bolt already reports a 44 percent drop in demand.

(dpa) The taxi fleet has grown by around 400 vehicles since mid-February. From mid-August, the picture could change. At the same time, the handling of platform-mediated rental cars remains a point of contention.

(dpa) 38 euros instead of 26 euros in Frankfurt, 60 euros instead of 35 euros in Berlin: A snapshot shows clear differences. A study also reveals why competition is not solely about the fare.

(dpa/lnw) The administrative court regards Cologne's taxi fare regulations as likely illegal. The city is opposing this and is appealing to the Higher Administrative Court.

The study points to structural changes in the mobility market. Therefore, debates about rental car platforms alone are not sufficient to secure the competitiveness of taxis.

Already in its tenth year, the Deutsche Bank Research Institute publishes the study "Mapping the World’s Prices." In 2026 as well, among other things, the global taxi prices of various capitals will be compared.

According to HALE, the legally required verification of the driver's license can be fully digitally integrated into existing operational processes.

The debate about the future of public transport has been caught in a contradiction for years. On the one hand, the expansion of buses and trains is being invoked as the key to the mobility transition. On the other hand, crowded trains, reduced schedules, and poorly served regions show that conventional line services alone cannot solve many mobility problems.

(dpa) The new taxi offering for rides between suburban areas and train stations has started. Demand has so far lagged behind expectations, but could soon rise significantly.

Why the platform economy in the car rental market still fails to live up to its own rules – and why the return obligation is more relevant than ever. A short story from the capital.

(dpa/lni) Higher wage and operating costs are leading to new tariffs in many places. While some municipalities have already adjusted tariffs, elsewhere further price increases are on the horizon.

Turbulent days in Berlin. First the surprising ouster of Patrick Schnieder, then the already-discussed successor Fritz Güntzler – and now Steffen Bilger takes over the Ministry of Transport. The taxi trade is now looking on with anticipation at the new man at the top.

The evaluation of the reform of the PBefG was supposed to provide answers. Instead, it has raised mainly new questions. At least the VSPV has come to this conclusion, which, through the investigation by the Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt), sees its criticism of parts of the reform as confirmed.

The news came as a surprise, even though it had apparently been in preparation in Berlin for days. Federal Minister of Transport Patrick Schnieder (CDU) loses his post as part of a cabinet reshuffle. According to information from the Deutsche Presse-Agentur and ARD's Hauptstadtstudio, the CDU member of the Bundestag from Lower Saxony, Fritz Güntzler, is set to take over the post. An official confirmation had not yet been issued.

Teltow-Fläming now has more authorized rental cars than Berlin, according to the association. The TMV sees a link with the increased enforcement pressure in the capital and calls for a cross-state response.

The evaluation of the modernization adopted in 2021 is facing criticism from the Federal Association of Taxi and Rental Cars. The association demands, among other things, new guidelines for rental cars, minimum fares, and card payments.

Toyota announces in a recent press release that it intends to intensify its partnership with Uber. The offering is targeted at central European markets and builds on the high popularity of Toyota models in the European ride-hailing segment, according to the automaker. It's a pity that Toyota's engagement in taxis, however, seems to be waning – so far the Japanese have not booked a stand at this year's taxi trade fair in Cologne!

It is still only a discussion. But even the possibility already causes unrest in many companies. The federal government is considering abolishing the tax- and social-security-related special status of mini-jobs as part of a comprehensive reform of the social security systems. The BVTM asks in the industry.