Quick Facts
The Company:
- The Vehicle Production Group LLC (VPG) was founded in 2006.
- VPG’s first prototype vehicle was called “The Standard Taxi”.
- The Standard Taxi made its first public appearance at the IATR conference in Seattle, WA in 2006.
- VPG’s Standard Taxi was the presenting sponsor of the “TAXI 07” exhibit at the 2007 New York International Auto Show, which celebrated the 100th anniversary of the motorized taxicab.
- VPG’s newly designed MV-1 made its first public appearance at the AFVI Expo and Conference in Orlando, FL in April of 2009.
The Underserved Market:
- Over 54 million people in the US report having some level of disability.i
- The top conditions resulting in wheelchair usage include arthritis, stroke, spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, diabetes and emphysema/COPD.ii
- Arthritis and other rheumatic conditions are the most common cause of disability in the United States.iii
- Growth in the 65 and older population will increase by over 16% between 2010 and 2015 thereby increasing demand for accessible transportation.iv
- Over 10 million people with disabilities need personal assistance with daily activities.v
- Over 10 million people with disabilities also report needing to use some form of ambulatory aid, such as canes, walkers or wheelchairs, to support their mobility.v
- Over 5.5 million people report having some form of paralysis, 2 million of which have a lot of difficulty moving.vi
- The independent mindset of the Baby Boom generation will also contribute to the growing need for more accessible transportation.
The Solution:
- First and only purpose-built wheelchair accessible vehicle that meets or exceeds ADA vehicle guidelines without any aftermarket conversion.
- Incorporates a proprietary, custom designed, automatic ramp that exceeds ADA vehicle guidelines.
- Wheelchair ramp has a 1,200 lb. weight capacity.
- Interior floor-to-ceiling height of almost 5 feet.
- Accommodates up to two common wheelchairs.
- Body-on-frame vehicle architecture is more durable and provides a rigid and substantial frame with fully boxed sections, not just “C” sections.
- Meets all applicable U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS).
- Vehicle assembly by AM General LLC (which assembles the HUMVEE for military use and GM’s Hummer H2) at their high quality UAW plant in Mishawaka, Indiana.
- Compliant with the Buy America Act.
- Only OEM designed and factory assembled CNG vehicle available in its class (no aftermarket CNG conversion).
- Clean burning CNG system features a 250-mile range and best in class luggage capacity.
i US Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2007
ii Disability Statistics Abstract, UCSF, 2002
iii MMWR Prevalence of Disabilities and Associated Health Conditions Among Adults – US, 2001
iv US Census, 2000
v US Census Bureau, Americans with Disabilities, 2005
vi One Degree of Separation: Paralysis and Spinal Cord Injury in the United States, Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation, 2009
