Welsh factory revival thanks to Chinese investment in London cabs

Geely's ownership of The London Taxi Company has been credited with reviving a Welsh metal supplier.

Hangzhou-based Geely Auto unveiled their latest model, the TX5, in March. [Photo: 163.com]

A Welsh aluminium factory is set to reopen thanks to demand for the production of London's new TX5 electric cab.

The London Taxi Company, or LTC for short, is the manufacturer of the iconic London black cab. The company has undergone many changes of ownership over the years, but has found stability as part of Geely Auto, based in Hangzhou.

In March, the company unveiled their latest model, the TX5. As well as visual differences with previous models, the TX5 is set to be the first all-electric London black cab.

As we've subsequently reported, sales of the vehicle are strong, with a backlog of orders from London as well as the first international sales in Holland.

To cope with demand, as well as increasing Aluminium prices, LTC have been working with Norwegian metal supplier Sapa.

The latter company has now revealed plans to supply LTC by reopening an aluminium factory in the country that it closed three years ago.

The decision will see nearly £10 million invested in the Welsh economy and over 100 jobs created.

Wales is not the only area to benefit from the TX5. When announcing the new design earlier in the year, LTC also revealed a new manufacturing facility in the British Midlands.

Following a £300 million investment, the site will be the UK's first new car manufacturing plant for decades, as well as the UK’s first car plant dedicated solely to the production of range-extended electric vehicles.