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By Shea Northcut
(AXcess News) Washington - The 14 million American adults who use wheelchairs or motorized carts can now ride shotgun in a vehicle specifically designed for their transportation.
Two models of the 2011 MV-1 rolled into Washington as part of The National Council on Independent Living conference on its 27-city road show across the United States. The event also helped celebrate the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The construction process began five years ago in Mishawaka, Ind., at the same production location for the Hummer H2. The Vehicle Production Group held 52 focus groups to see what customers wanted - wider doors, higher ceilings and a larger space to maneuver. VPG's vehicle door measures 36 inches wide and 56 inches high.
Marc Klein, co-founder and executive vice president of business development, said VPG designed a vehicle for customers and commercial fleet transportation, such as rental cars and taxis.
"This wheelchair vehicle prioritizes freedom for everyone and was designed for the modern age to last hundreds of thousands of miles in all cities," Klein said.
Wheelchair users have been able to refit a standard car or van, but retrofits often resulted in faulty equipment with a short lifespan. In addition, the price of the car and the retrofitting usually cost more than $50,000. The 5,000 pound MV-1 will be listed for less than $40,000.
