New York City's fleet of used Ford Crown Victorias functioning as taxicabs is set to be phased out once Ford ceases production of the iconic car, so the city is holding a contest to standardize the taxi used across the city.

City hall recently unveiled the finalists in the contest and all three are van-like in design. Ford, Nissan and Turkish automotive company Karsan each submitted proposals that are roomier than the traditional sedans currently used by drivers, instead looking more like London's taxis.

Ford submitted a version of its Transit Connect van, which is also available as a commercial vehicle. Nissan's entry is a modified NV200, a van that is sold in Japan and Europe. Karsan, largely unknown in the U.S., designed a van that is similar to the other automakers but features more expansive windows.

"Each is promising, but none is perfect," Mayor Michael Bloomberg said of the designs. "We are not obliged to go with anything if it does not meet our needs."

The winner will be announced in early 2011, with city officials saying it will be four years before the entire city makes the switch. The Bloomberg administration is currently soliciting input from citizens as well as attempting to negotiate its own list of features with the automakers.