cough not spoilers cough
9 Likes
Great job - you have really made the right decision in addition to hosting a very compelling round!
By the way @Rk38 did you really manipulate a picture of a 550 Maranello for your ad? I can see many similarities between it and the Bellisa. Also, it hasn’t been that long since your last go at hosting; if you pass on hosting duties, those will go to @phale, assuming he also doesn’t pass either.
At least the boys at Albury can hold their heads up high, for the second time in three rounds, what with the Crusader making a strong case for itself, even if it was ultimately outclassed by other brands’ cars!
And after three days of anxious anticipation, I can finally imagine the customer driving down Highway 1 in the GBF Bellisa with someone like Denise Austin in the passenger seat.
What about the no tagging thing we mentioned before?
Also, congrats rk! And yay for me not being 2nd this time
10 Likes
Thanks to @EnryGT5 for hosting an enjoyable round. I hope the client enjoys the Bellisa before his company fall apart in the dot com bubble. But I’m actually quite surprised to get this win as I know the my entry wasn’t as advanced or impressive looking from the pure stats as some of the other notable entries.
Anyway, I’ve got some ideas for the next round but I’ll have to do some testing first.
7 Likes
Last time you hosted a round (CSR44) it was incredibly compelling, and also your first attempt at hosting a round that wasn’t an 80s period piece (or, for that matter, any kind of period piece). I’m highly confident that the former will also apply to CSR48, no matter what year it is set in!
The year is 2001 the Democratic Socialist Republic of Anikatia is no more. The country that was seen to riding the wave of the other Asian miracle economies thanks to a series of long term efforts of market liberalisation. It looked unbeatable with the nation experienced record levels of economic growth. Companies like Maesima became internationally recognised players and in this booming economy reforms to the Anikatian currency, the Anikuro (AKO) making it fully convertible something that would have seemed inconceivable during the era of the of the command economy. However, these reforms to the economic system would have far reaching conquests. Business and political leaders did not realise how fragile the new Anikatian financial system was and it would not be able to handle the potential rapid cross-border movements of hot money.
As a result, when the 1997 Asian financial crisis began the quickly spread from Thailand and eventually the Anikuro was hit by a massive speculative attack in 1999. The prolonged economic crisis has bled the government dry and in the civil unrest ended decades of Socialist rule and brought the country’s economic boom to a grinding halt. While the IMF has finally stepped in to provide help with the new provisional government is bringing austerity measures to bring the economy back. Capitalism and privatisation are said to be the saviours for Anikatia but there is great uncertainty a whole new wave of change is sweeping the country. In the largest and capital city of Antiytia, the new high rises sit empty. The once state owned taxi fleet has been broken up and privatised.
One of these new companies the newly formed AYMKO Taxi Co. (아임코 택시 회사) has received 2,560 formerly state owned taxis for its fleet. The trouble is the majority of these have been left to languish and stagnate by the government. Many are woefully outdated, lacking modern safety equipment and fall well short of modern emission standards. But some are still quite recent and they are simple and easy to service. In an effort to modernise not only the company but the cities image an open tender has been setup with ₳45.09 billion AKO ($40 million USD) budget. While traditionally the country has relied on its strong domestic brands to supply its taxi fleet AYMKO is looking to be different but also in these uncertain times who knows if they will be any Anikatians brands left once the IMF has finished selling away all the states assets.
Now the current fleet of 2,560 vehicles from different periods. The majority are general taxis, sedans with seating for 5 plus cargo with some jumbo taxis that can seat 8 plus cargo and the final lot are some deluxe taxis, sedans used formerly used for chauffeuring high ranking government official around the city. They can seat 4 plus cargo. Now it is up to you how you decide to allocate these funds and if you decide to replace the whole fleet, the oldest models, focus on the luxury market, opt for higher space and quality per vehicle. The choice is yours.
Requirements
- Budget is $40 million with no markup for replacement of all or some of the existing fleet
- Submit a single vehicle design: one trim and engine only (trim must be 2001 but body and engine family can be older)
- Minimum safety 30
- Maximum emissions 300
- Minimum average reliability 70
- Minimum engine reliability 60
- An ad with price is required
- Fuel required 91 RON although 80 RON is also available
- Must adhere to new Government Fuel Consumption Standards
Naming convention
CSR48-Username - Car Name
CSR48-Username - Engine Name
Important Stuff
- This is a taxi so drivability, comfort, safety, and practicality are important. But it is also a fleet vehicle so economy, emission, running costs and insurance will be closely looked at and please be sensible in your choices. The procurement officer Lee Eun-ji will show no mercy and she is notorious for her very firm and uncompromising nature. The majority of the vehicles will be kept outside, despite this looks are important as the vehicle has the represent the company and the city.
Fleet Total: 2,560
General Taxis: 1,100
- 300 AAU 3075 sedans procured in 1977
- 300 Maesima NV-988 sedans procured in 1988
- 100 Daisuma 1078 sedans procured in 1993
- 400 AAU 3097 sedans procured in 1997
Jumbo Taxis: 1,088
- 300 AAU 1095B minivans procured in 1995
- 500 AAU 2082 minivans procured in 1982
- 208 AAU M58 minibus procured in 1972
- 80 Maesima NB-995 minivans procured in 1995
Deluxe Taxis: 372
- 162 DHB Type 3095 procured in 1995
- 160 Maesima NL-992 procured in 1992
- 48 Huadai 3099 procured in 1999
- 2 DHB Type 4000 sedans procured in 2000
Government Fuel Consumption Standards
| Weight | L/100 km |
|---|---|
| <750kg | 7.6 |
| 750-1,000 kg | 8.4 |
| 1,000-1,500kg | 9.4 |
| 1500-2,000kg | 12.0 |
| 2,000-2,500kg | 14.0 |
| >2,500kg | 16.0 |
Deadline
11:59 am August 10, 2017 (GMT+9:30)
Rules have been finalised
23 Likes
Now this one ties into Anikatian lore perfectly! This round reminds me of CSR27 (cop cars), but considering that we’ve never been asked to make taxis before… Anyway, I might want to make a midsize family car this time around, and adapt it for use as a taxi.
Might, just might, have a mid-size Dynamite for the job.
I think that I may allocate most of the budget to some LLA vehicles, but enough may be left over to buy some more Maesima’s, we will see…
Do we have to add 1 seat for the driver?
From how I interpret the rules the budget taxis would have to have 6 seats.
Mashimitsu is entering the competition with the 2001 Y3 bright sedan, offered with a 2.1l I4 turbocharged engine, that will produce just enough power to get your costumers from A to B with no problems.
The pricetag is 12400$ and it will be planed to change out all of the General Taxis ( 2000 Mashimitsu Y3s would be bought for 24800000$).
(If I forgot something it would be nice to mention it 
)
6 Likes
Just waiting on any rule changes before I submit, I apologise in advance to any noob photoshop…
At Fleet Industries, we believe that our midsize sedan, the Wayfarer, is an ideal choice for replacing the entire fleet of Anikatian taxis. You might be wondering why this is so, but you don’t need to. Its 1.8L turbo I4 provides enough power to keep up with urban traffic, but yields low emissions, fuel consumption (on 91 RON regular unleaded) and running costs. On the inside, there is enough comfort and practicality (5 seats and a reasonably large trunk) to make the Wayfarer a cost-effective solution. And with a 5-speed automatic transmission, it’s incredibly easy to drive in all situations given its FWD drivetrain. Best of all, at just $12400 without markups, it’s possible to trade in the entire Anikatian taxi fleet for at least 3,200 of these sedans for use in the role of general taxi given the tight budget - or just sell the general taxis in addition to all the older cars and use the leftover cash to upgrade the rest of the fleet.
Optional equipment includes an upgraded stereo and alloy wheels. All Wayfarers come with power steering, ABS, and traction and stability control for a safe and pleasant driving experience.
4 Likes
I doubt that an Asian country in 2001 would require double bench seats.
1 Like
In Asian countries in 2001 and in many today, most likely the double bench is a row of human laps already occupying a single bench 
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I’ve carried 7 people (not including me!) in my 5 seats automobile so… yeah.
2 Likes
The rules have now been finalised!
Procurement officer Lee Eun-ji has received an urgent email from the financial department informing her that the companies projected profits have fallen in light of the current economic outlook and projected profits have been reduced. So the total budget for the fleet upgrade has been reduced to ₳45.09 billion ($40 million USD). This information has been forwarded to all relevant parties.
12 Likes
Within budget, you could replace 2116 of the current fleet with the Dynamite L5. Other colors are available upon request, and we thank you for considering Dynamite Motors for your taxi service needs.
5 Likes
Obscure Car Thread
from You Know Cars Forums
posted by Y.J-TU-TH
time stamp 12.04.2017 13.02 GMT
Old advert from 2001.
Price new $12,000.
(Rough translation)
Plainoi
Tough as an Asian water buffalo. Tough as an elephant.
2001 Plainoi TU
A Plainoi van, Japanese Technology.
Engineered by a German Engineer.
Reliable, Adequate power. Drive however you want, it’s not going to break.
With service dealers all over the place.
On sale now.
Plainoi Traudkan Co. LTD.
For more information dial 02-112-44107
(Rough translation)
I bet if this was in the guess what car thread, you’d never have gotten it!
What you’re seeing here is pretty much the only vaguely “successful” (in that some unit actually left the showroom floor) attempt at establishing an automotive industry in Thailand. 2001 Plainoi TU van.
Plainoi is a company specialized in vehicle conversion. As in you get a Japanese compact pick up truck chassis and then they put on special bodies on it. Usually in station wagon guise or military jeep.
Established in 1956. They started by making station wagon bodies for Road Vanquist 4x4, a British Military Vehicle. Possibly the first attempt at such conversion. They also put closed body on WW2 or post-WW2 Japanese Mitsushita Jeeps and sell on for both government and civilian use. They were indeed quite successful with those. And when the Vietnam war started, they also do conversion for American Jeep. In fact, if you had a body-on-frame machine you want bodies that suits your need, Plainoi was the company you need. They can be call “Coachworks” quite easily.
Now, in 1960, the first car factory was established in Thailand, making Japanese Ossan. Many more follows. 1961 German Carlotta, 1962 Italian FATI, 1963 British Conan, and in 1965 with Mitsushita.
For whatever reason, in 1966. Plainoi saw an opportunity to use the know how of their own car conversion to make their own car. With help of a French company, FRE. To develop their own family car. Feautring many technologies such as overhead cam V6 engine, disk brakes and hydropneumatic suspension. A few prototype was done and you could read about it in my previous post. “The Plainoi Truadkan” Which actually translated roughly to Plainoi Station Wagon. By the way, the full company name was Plainoi Truadkan Co.LTD. So that’s clearly is some imaginative naming. Or they simply never got to naming process because the plan collapsed in early 1967. Many believe it was due to the fact that Plainoi was in no position to set up a car factory, let alone as advanced as the prototype was.
After that, Plainoi continued their conversion business. And they were quite successful. Even more so with compact truck chassis of the 1970’s and 1980’s. With tough and reliable chassis of established Mitsushita and Ossan. Yet with practicality of a closed station wagon bodies featuring up to 9 seats.
Thailand never had a national car. Despite Malaysia having one since early 1980’s. Plainoi was the closest to them actually having their own car company. And the idea seems especially far away during the 1980’s. With the far-right government seeing automobiles as a “luxury item” and not something that’s necessary. (Despite being chauffeured in luxurious Carlotta themselves, those asswankering swine).
But then in the late 1980’s. With the democratically elected government of Chatichai Choonhavan promoting international trades. With the country seeing up to 13% growth a year. Businesses was booming, Plainoi included.
It was in 1992 then that the hope of Thailand’s National Automobile was the closest to reality. Attempts at coup d’état resulted in Bloody May. But after that was resolved, the country growth, and thus automotive consumption went through the roof. It was perhaps the best chance if there ever was one.
Plainoi at this period was doing quite well. And with their experience in high utility, incredibly practical designs. They went onto a quest to design the perfect utility vehicle for Thailand. Tough, reliable, economical.
But then, in 1993. The utility sales did not went up. It was luxury car sales that did. Imports duty have been reduced massively and a lot of business people who’ve profited from booming economy were buying Carlottas and Bavarias at very high rate. Utility vehicle was not in the vogue. But Plainoi did not know anything about anything other than that.
But they didn’t stop. They already hired an executive engineer who’ve worked with Carlotta since the 1970’s to help with designing the car… Or rather… a van.
The chassis itself is borrowed, it’s designed closely inspired those of the established Mitsushita Boarilla compact car. But obviously nothing is interchangable. It’s longer, tougher, more for utility use. But the engine IS of a Mitsushita. A 2.3 litre commercial unit fitted to many of the Mitsushita utility models. And also minivan.
They seemed to have great combination of parts. That particular Mitsushita engine is incredibly tough. Notorious for going half a million kilometres without any issue. And the chief engineer working on it have done some legendary tough designs in the past. (Carlotta UW115 Diesel comes to mind, those will go on literally forever).
But what they lack pretty much kills all the chance of the car being a success. They did not have a vision.
What is it going to be? A van for a man? Or a family minivan? Because of the changing demographics and unclear target consumer. The designed that was started in 1992 that should’ve finished by 1996 was delayed constantly. Many spyshot pictures was released and many show cars was shown. But nothing substantial was actually available.
And then in 1997, the economic crisis happened.
Thailand suffered a lot then. The booming economic suddenly collapsed overnight. Sales of automobile, the same with every other industry, went down massively. But somehow, Plainoi persevered. By that time the van has been in development for 5 years. And it was damn nearly complete even though it still wasn’t sure what to make of it.
The van got the name around 1999, during one of the country’s autoshow. It was the “TU”. With no explanation what so ever why it’s called so. But the factory to produce it still wasn’t ready. And there’s no clear plan to produce it actually. It seems that this is again a vaporware the old 1966 Plainoi Traudkan was. Plainoi business suffered during this period and they didn’t exactly rolled in cash.
BUT. They did manage to set up a factory. And the Plainoi TU did went on sale! Apparently they commissioned the car to be assembled at Carlotta South West Bangkok plant. (Which is not unusual, other few foreign manufacturers did and still do assemble their CKD kit at Carlotta South West Bangkok plant).
The memory is very hazy now. I cannot recalled ever seeing those Plainoi TU on the road. I did saw some parked, and a few at the 2001 Bangkok International Motorshow. But I have never seen one running and driving.
In the table showing the amount of cars sold in 2001. Plainoi managed to shift 11,230 unit for that year. But nobody ever know how many it was TU. That number was for the whole brand which includes a lot of converted Japanese truck chassis.
But there’s the above advert and a few brochure (which shows the price to be about $12,000) to confirmed the car existence.
There’s still very little information about this very weird car. I’m trying to find more, but I’m struggling. Maybe I have to do some deeper research. I’ll come back when I find something.
10 Likes
That is an extremely long description for a van, but at least it explains the origins of the brand nicely. I couldn’t bring myself to build anything larger and/or more upmarket than an affordable mid-sized sedan - I just wanted to cut costs without sacrificing too many of the attributes essential for a taxi, especially since I wanted to replace the whole fleet and then enlarge it for good measure.