Nothing says London like the iconic black cab. The early models for today's taxis were introduced in the 1940s and 50s and have never been off the capital's streets since.
However, the future production of the vehicles is in doubt due to product recalls, suspended production and accounting errors.
In the long run, they have even bigger problems - gradually being overtaken by technology, production methods and the economics of the industry.
To survive long-term they need a big player as a backer and a very different business model.
Many drivers are hopeful though, arguing a traditional black cab with the necessary improvements will still have a place in the future.
Al Jazeera's Emma Hayward reports from London.
