New York's plan for a new fleet of cabs from Nissan Motor Co. has been blocked by a judge who ruled that the city's Taxi and Limousine Commission overstepped its authority by requiring medallion owners to buy a specific vehicle.
Nissan won a contract in May 2011 valued at $1 billion over 10 years to supply the minivans, which feature sliding doors, more luggage space and air bags in the back.
The commission in September 2012 designated the Nissan NV200 as the official "Taxi of Tomorrow" and required owners of the medallions that confer the right to operate yellow cabs in New York to buy the $29,700 vehicle starting this month.