Winner of Georgia’s The Apprentice orders London black cabs

The winner of Georgia’s version of The Apprentice has said “You’re hired” to LTI Vehicles, the manufacturer of the iconic London taxi.

Luka Lomaia, a 20-year-old student, was chosen to take up the position of Senior Manager of Strategic Projects at the Bank of Georgia after seeing off 13 other finalists to be chosen by the Eastern European equivalent of Sir Alan Sugar, Lado Gurgenidze, the bank’s President.

One of his first acts in his new role was to order a fleet of six of LTI Vehicles’ latest model, the TX4, to work as taxis in the capital of Tbilisi.

The Coventry-built cabs have been painted bright orange to reflect the bank’s corporate colours and are fitted with DVD players and screens to advertise the bank’s services to passengers. There are even plans to install telephones to give passengers a direct line to the bank if they see a product that takes their fancy.

Nigel Walters, Overseas Operations Co-ordinator for LTI Vehicles, said the bank was hoping to cash in on the novelty value of the famous vehicles.

“At first we thought they were going to be corporate vehicles for the bank’s VIP customers,” he said.

“It’s quite unusual but it is a good idea. People are attracted to the cab and once they’re inside they see the adverts.”

The order from Georgia is the latest in a long line of foreign exports for the 60-year-old firm.

Trinidad and Tobago, China, Dubai and Turkey have joined a number of countries across the world to have ordered the TX4 since its launch in November.

Mr Walters added: “We have hit a bit of a purple patch when it comes to foreign exports. I think they are attracted to the black cab’s famous shape, as well as the fact that it is the best purpose-built taxi in the world.”