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According to Reuters, the city's Taxi and Limousine Commission has awarded Nissan a 10-year contract to produce the vehicles. The Japanese automaker beat out both Ford and a Turkish automaker to cinch the deal worth more than $1 billion. Nissan will be responsible for building one single vehicle to replace the 16 models that are currently authorized to ferry New York City residents around the Big Apple. The company's design was based on the NV200, and the minivan is expected to begin arriving on the job in early 2013.
Reuters reports that Turkish company Karsan Otomotive was an early favorite thanks to its unique handicap-accessible design and full-panel glass roof. The automaker had also planned to assemble the vehicles in Brooklyn with union labor. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg is expected to make an official announcement later today.