
The Edinburgh site, which employs seven people, has played a key role in supplying, maintaining and supporting vehicles for the taxi sector since the mid 1990s.
Now part of Vertu Motors following its acquisition last summer, the business continues to provide servicing, parts and specialist support tailored to professional drivers who own and run LEVC Hackney carriages
To help celebrate the milestone, Union Motor Company gave away 30 prizes to customers, including free servicing, tyre alignment and MOT tests, reflecting the day-to- day essentials that keep drivers earning.
The integration into Vertu, which also operates The Taxi Centre in Glasgow, has enabled investment in facilities, stock and systems, while maintaining the specialist knowledge that drivers rely on.
Vertu, the fourth largest automotive group in the UK, is now the leading retailer of LEVC products across Scotland’s Central Belt.
Customers benefit from manufacturer-approved servicing, a wide range of parts and a team familiar with the demands of high-mileage, city-based driving, ensuring the Hackney carriage community receives the highest standards of care and expertise.
Claire Newlands, General Manager for LEVC workshops across central Scotland incorporating Union Motor Company and Glasgow LEVC, said: “This milestone belongs to the drivers who have trusted us for years to keep them working, and we’re pleased to have so many here to celebrate 30 years with us.
“Many of our customers have been with us for a long time. We know the vehicles, we know the routes they cover and we know what their job looks like in real life, not just on paper. That experience is what keeps people coming back and the prizes we have handed out are a small way of saying thank you.
“As Union Motor Company enters its fourth decade, our focus remains on the practical needs of drivers - minimising downtime, maintaining safety standards and helping businesses stay profitable.
“Lots of things have changed since the company first opened and the team continues to evolve to support the next generation of taxis, including hybrid and electric models.”
Robert Forrester, Chief Executive of Vertu, said: “Union Motor Company is an important part of the group’s specialist offering, with a focus on LEVC products that are critical to the sector.
“The taxi sector depends on trusted partners that can deliver consistent service at pace. It has built that reputation over 30 years, and it’s pleasing to see that continue under Vertu with the same customer focus.
“Bringing Union Motor Company into the group strengthened our ability to support this sector properly. The anniversary is a reminder of how important that support network is to drivers and their communities.”

The driver was parked on a nearby street waiting for his next booking after completing an Uber journey when an unknown man approached his car.

In meeting minutes detailing the refusal, the panel concluded that "on the balance of probabilities" the unnamed applicant was "not a fit and proper person to hold a private hire driver licence."

Local firms argue that the timing of the enforcement undermines their livelihoods during the most profitable period of the year.

Almost 18,000 drivers have received payouts between £300 and £500 under a Goodwill Payment Scheme, which was introduced to support those whose livelihoods were disrupted.

The drivers accepted unbooked fares from undercover licensing officers - violating strict regulations that stipulate only hackneys licensed within Trafford can be hailed directly in the borough.

The unannounced inspections were carried out to ensure licensed cabs continue to meet strict safety and reliability standards for local passengers.

Despite clear signage prohibiting taxis, local cabbies continue to block the area near the Platform 4 entrance, creating severe congestion for pedestrians and other motorists, especially during evening hours.

Ongoing works on major routes - including Tenter Street, Furnival Road, Clarkehouse Road, and Granville Road - are causing extensive delays, particularly during rush hour traffic.

Starting fares across all tariffs will increase by 30p - with tariff one rising from £2.60 to £2.90 - representing an average fare increase of around 4.28%, whilst tariff two will see a 10% rise.

Scot McCluskey, 37, pleaded guilty at Hamilton Sheriff Court to assaulting the cabbie to his severe injury and permanent disfigurement.

Liberty Mitchell, who had passed her driving test just three weeks prior to the December 2022 crash, was originally sentenced to six years and eight months at Gloucester Crown Court.

An investigation has revealed a dramatic rise in complaints against cabbies across Oxfordshire, with local councils logging 714 reports over 2025/26 - a significant leap from 601 the previous year

Following separate hearings on July 7, 2026, councillors concluded that each case raised serious doubts about whether the individuals remained "fit and proper" to hold or be granted a licence

The committee heard that the 10 per cent boost was considered a "reasonable" adjustment to help drivers cope with rising operational expenses since maximum fares were last raised in October 2022.

The victim, a woman in her 80s, had already lost over £3,000 to a scammer impersonating her bank who later booked a cab to collect her card under the guise of destroying it.

Officers from Cheshire Police teamed up with Cheshire West and Chester Council to pull over 12 taxis and private hire vehicles for random checks.

Following representations from licensing officers, the driver, and his representative, the council concluded that he was "not a fit and proper person to hold a private hire driver licence."

James Thomas, 30, from Swansea, had been attending a Christmas party at the NEC in Birmingham on December 21 with his partner while a babysitter looked after their ten-month-old child.

For nearly 20 years, an armada of hackney carriages has operated under the informal banner of "Poppy Cabs," providing free transport for war veterans to the annual national Remembrance Day service.

Under current rules, the DfT authorises driverless vehicles on public roads, but TfL holds licensing power over paid passenger services and must grant consent before commercial operations can begin.
