Union Motor Company marks 30 years supporting Scotland’s Hackney trade with taxi customer giveaway
- Perry Richardson
- Aug 5
- 2 min read
Union Motor Company has marked 30 years of supporting Scotland’s Hackney carriage trade, celebrating the milestone with a customer giveaway recognising the professional drivers who have relied on the business to keep their vehicles on the road.
The Edinburgh-based company, which employs seven people, has been supplying, maintaining and supporting Hackney carriage vehicles since the mid-1990s. Following its acquisition by Vertu Motors last summer, the business continues to provide servicing, parts and specialist aftersales support for drivers operating LEVC Hackney carriages across Scotland.
To mark the anniversary, Union Motor Company handed out 30 prizes to customers, including free servicing, MOT tests and wheel alignment, focusing on the routine maintenance that helps drivers minimise downtime and remain on the road earning.
The business says its integration into Vertu has brought investment in facilities, stock and operational systems while retaining the specialist expertise developed over three decades of supporting the taxi trade. Vertu also operates The Taxi Centre in Glasgow, giving the automotive group a significant presence in the Scottish LEVC market.
As the UK’s fourth largest automotive retail group, Vertu is now the leading retailer of LEVC products across Scotland’s Central Belt. Alongside vehicle sales, the company provides manufacturer-approved servicing, replacement parts and technical support for Hackney carriage operators, with an emphasis on the demands placed on vehicles covering high annual mileages in urban environments.
The investment comes as the taxi sector continues its transition towards lower emission vehicles, with workshops increasingly required to support hybrid and electric fleets alongside traditional maintenance requirements.
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.”
