Less Mercedes taxis
When I first moved to Finland in 2002, I was amazed at all the Mercedes taxis on the streets - it seemed as if every taxi was a new Mercedes. This is in contrast to my home country where virtually every taxi is a old, rusted-out yellow American-made automobile. After I took my first taxi ride from Helsinki to Espoo and paid the bill, I quickly realized how they afforded these nice cars.
But lately, I’ve seen a lot more Toyotas, VWs, and (gasp) Renaults. Is it just my imagination, or are there less Mercedes taxis on Finnish roads nowadays?
Yes, I think you are correct. Mercedes is still the number one but Volvo and Toyota are getting close. One reason might be that the quality and reliability of Mercedes has not been as good as the drivers have expected in last few years.
Comment by mikko — Wed, Nov 30th, 2005 @ 1:18 pm
Taxis in Helsinki are actually pretty cheap. Try Stockholm, or if you’re really adventurous, London.
I second the previous poster, MB is quickly losing its status as a high-quality ride.
Comment by Freeridin' Franklin — Wed, Nov 30th, 2005 @ 1:29 pm
In agreement with the above.
Comment by Topias — Wed, Nov 30th, 2005 @ 1:45 pm
Dont they get tax breaks on their cars hence why they tend to get such good cars…
Comment by John — Wed, Nov 30th, 2005 @ 1:48 pm
English grammar tip of the day….You pay less, but there are fewer Merc taxis.
Comment by hfb — Wed, Nov 30th, 2005 @ 1:54 pm
I have it from a usually reliable source that as late as the mid-90s there were still a few Ladas as taxis here. Imagine ordering a taxi to get an important client from the airport…
Comment by prince of dorkness — Wed, Nov 30th, 2005 @ 2:07 pm
I have it from a usually reliable source that as late as the mid-90s there were still a few Ladas as taxis here.
A family member’s boss got a Lada taxi in Helsinki sometime in the 80s. He refused to get in.
Comment by Freeridin' Franklin — Wed, Nov 30th, 2005 @ 2:10 pm
“I have it from a usually reliable source that as late as the mid-90s there were still a few Ladas as taxis here.”
I have seen that Lada taxi in Helsinki. In the 60’s and 70’s they had also Volgas, especially in the countryside, but given the world view of an average finnish taxidriver, I would expect these Ladas are very few and more or less a joke.
Comment by Antti (the redneck one) — Wed, Nov 30th, 2005 @ 3:24 pm
Whenever I hear an American complain about how expensive taxis are in Finland, I like to point out that the companies that the drivers work for are required to pay them a living wage and do not expect charitable contributions (”tips”) from their passengers to keep body and soul together.
On the other hand, it seems that gratuities are expected in Sweden.
Comment by Kimmo W — Wed, Nov 30th, 2005 @ 3:44 pm
I like to point out that the companies that the drivers work for are required to pay them a living wage and do not expect charitable contributions
That’s anathema to the market worshippers: actually living on your salary. Begone, Satan!
As far as crappy jobs go, being a taxi driver (in Finland) is not one of the worst at all.
On the other hand, it seems that gratuities are expected in Sweden.
Those evil freeriding folkhemmet-welfare-statists!
Comment by Freeridin' Franklin — Wed, Nov 30th, 2005 @ 4:45 pm
Its all about tax and resale value.
A taxi enterpreneur (who bought the taxi) could get the 120% car tax (let alone the VAT) “excused” according to certain rules. At the end of the day when he traded the Mercedes benz in as “2 years 200 000 km” car, he could, if not make a profit, buy a new “tax-free” car due to the price differences. And Mercedes-Benz had the best resale value whereas some other car depreciated more.
Nowadays as the tax has gone lower the “market discrepancy” between the resale value has also diminished so calculating the overall costs has also been important. I am just wondering though where all the big MB’s and BMW’s disappear - suspect is the moloch’s mouth is Russia, as keepinga big car like that id prohibitively expensive here.
Comment by Hank W. — Wed, Nov 30th, 2005 @ 4:57 pm
When you run a business you need tools that work. Paying more up front is not nearly as expensive as having your car broke down during the busiest weekend in november.
As far as I know the most important thing for taxi drivers is the service. They need to get their cars yesterday, so the service organisation has to work. APparently, that’s one of the reasons why one generally doesn’t see many Audis as taxis, even though the cars themselves would be good…
Comment by Toveri — Wed, Nov 30th, 2005 @ 5:04 pm
As someone who has been around a while longer than most readers I can assure you that the Lada taxi was very much a huge joke when it was brand new.
Comment by Jiri — Fri, Dec 2nd, 2005 @ 2:00 pm
I think your observations may have some credit. News from Germany tell that last year MB lost dramatically it’s positions as number 1 taxi car. It’s still number one, but with a very small margin to the rivals.
Reason is quality and rust problems MB is having.
Buy Skoda instead next time. At least you don’t pay overprice for what u get…
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