LTI (London Taxis International) Logo

Brand History

Carbodies was founded in 1919 by Robert Bobby Jones in Coventry as a coachbuilding firm that produced standardised coachwork for other manufacturers. The company entered the taxi market in 1948 by assembling Austin FX3 taxi bodies in partnership with Austin and Mann & Overton. In 1954 Carbodies was sold to the BSA Group, and in 1958 it began manufacturing Austin FX4 taxi bodies.

Manganese Bronze Holdings acquired Carbodies in 1973. From 1982 the firm took full responsibility for the complete manufacture of the FX4 taxicab. The business was rebranded in 1992 as London Taxis International, usually referred to as LTI, marking its transition to a focused taxi manufacturer.

In 1997 LTI launched the TX1 as the successor to the FX4 and Fairway models. In October 2010 London Taxis International was rebranded as The London Taxi Company. The company was placed in administration in October 2012 and its assets were acquired by Geely in 2013, after which it became defunct.

Key ownership periods included Robert Jones from 1919 to 1954, the BSA Group from 1954 to 1973, and Manganese Bronze Holdings from 1973 until 2013. The main theme throughout its history was British manufacturing of the iconic London black cabs that blended traditional design with evolving technology while retaining strong cultural significance in urban transport.

LTI Logo Evolution

1. 1919–1992
2. 1992–2010
3. 2010–2013

1919 – 1992: Carbodies Era

No specific logo is documented for the Carbodies period. The company operated primarily as a coachbuilder and taxi assembler under various parent companies without a distinct visual identity tied to taxi production.

• Design: No dedicated logo described in available records
• Colors: Not documented
• Changes: None recorded
• Context: Preceded the 1992 rebranding that created the dedicated LTI identity

1992 – 2010: LTI Elliptical Logo

The prominent LTI logo with yellow elliptical design was created to coincide with the 1992 rebranding of Carbodies into London Taxis International. This marked the company’s transition to a focused taxi manufacturer and introduced its dedicated branding. The LTI logo meaning reflects the fusion of tradition from black cab heritage and contemporary engineering.

• Design: Elliptical oval form with bold uppercase lettering featuring a three-dimensional effect
• Colors: Yellow background with black letters and black outline
• Changes: Introduced in 1992 as part of the formal rebranding
• Context: Used throughout the LTI period when the company produced the TX1 and subsequent taxi models

2010 – 2013: The London Taxi Company Era

London Taxis International was rebranded as The London Taxi Company in October 2010. Specific logo details for this short final period are not described in available sources. The company continued to produce taxis until it entered administration in 2012 and closed in 2013.

• Design: Not specifically documented
• Colors: Not documented
• Changes: Final name change from LTI branding
• Context: Represented the last chapter before the firm’s assets were acquired by Geely

Legacy

The company left a lasting legacy as the manufacturer of the iconic London black cabs that remain a symbol of London and British engineering. From its early days as Carbodies through its years as London Taxis International, LTI helped shape the image of professional urban transport in the United Kingdom. The brand’s evolution illustrates the journey of a traditional coachbuilder that became synonymous with one of the world’s most recognisable vehicles.