MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Vehicle Production Group LLC (VPG) announced the start of production for the “First Mobility Vehicle”, MV-1, the first and only factory-built and assembled vehicle which meets or exceeds the vehicle guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The MV-1 will be available in either gasoline or Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powertrains. Production of its fully certified vehicle has officially begun and deliveries to customers will begin by the end of September 2011.
Fred Drasner, Chairman of VPG said “We are proud to be the first manufacturer to provide people with mobility issues a purpose-built vehicle that meets the same expectations that all new car buyers have; ease of entry and exit, an exceptional ride, state of the art technology and unprecedented reliability, quality and durability.” The MV-1 is being assembled at the AM General Commercial Assembly Plant in Mishawaka, Indiana. Rick Smith, President-Commercial Business for AM General, expressed his enthusiasm; “AM General’s workforce is eager to begin production and be part of the MV-1 story. We believe the MV-1 will very quickly become an iconic vehicle setting a new standard against which all other paratransit vehicles will be measured.”
The MV-1 features a 56-inch high by 36-inch wide side door opening for easy wheelchair or motorized scooter entry and exit via a wide deployable ramp with a 1200 pound capacity that quickly and easily stores beneath the floor inside the vehicle. The vehicle’s ramp is available in either a manual or powered version. The MV-1 can accommodate a passenger in a wheelchair and another five occupants, when equipped with an optional rear facing jump seat.
Go Green with Optional CNG
The MV-1 is also the only ADA compliant vehicle with an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) engineered and assembled CNG fuel delivery system option. Since the system is factory installed, the MV-1 with the CNG option meets all government safety and crash test requirements and maintains the same durability, reliability and quality as the gasoline-powered vehicle, while reducing operating expenses. The CNG fuel system delivers an estimated 290-mile range by virtue of three lightweight tanks seamlessly integrated into the vehicle’s design, providing customers with a more cost effective and environmentally conscious ownership option without sacrificing significant vehicle driving range.
About The Vehicle Production Group LLC
Headquartered in Miami, Florida, The Vehicle Production Group LLC (VPG) designs, manufactures, markets and distributes the first mobility vehicle engineered from the ground up for wheelchair accessibility.
Additional details regarding the Company or the MV-1 including its pricing, specifications and available options can be found at the Company’s website at www.vpgautos.com or call 1-877-MV1-FORU (1-877-681-3678).
About AM General LLC
AM General designs, engineers, manufactures, supplies and supports specialized vehicles for commercial and military customers. The AM General business units include two wholly owned subsidiaries, General Engine Products, a diesel engine manufacturer, and General Transmission Products, an automatic transmission manufacturer. AM General has more than six decades of experience meeting the changing needs of the defense and automotive industries, supported by approximately 2,500 employees at major facilities in Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio, and a strong supplier base that stretches across 43 states. More information can be found at www.amgeneral.com.
AM General media contact: Celeste Ross | celeste.ross@amgeneral.com | 574.284.2930