By Jennifer Glickel
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — Two automakers have taken the lead in the city's competition for the new taxi cab design, according to the Daily News.
Japanese designer Nissan and little-known designer Karsan have submitted the top two designs for the city's new cab, the paper reported.
The Karsan design includes a transparent roof on the vehicle so passengers can gaze at the city's skyscrapers.
The Nissan model is believed to be a take on the comapny's NV200 line of vans, which would include a "vanette" model, the paper said.
At least four companies entered the "Taxi of Tomorrow" competition, the News said.
Beginning in 2014, owners of the city's 13,000 cabs will have to replace their current cars with the chosen design. The Taxi & Limosuine Commission anticipates the replacement process will take between four and five years.
