| Disabled Young Drivers Want Anything But a Minivan
Historically, the minivan has been the vehicle of choice for wheelchair-access conversions, as their front-drive layout allows for the floor to be lowered up to 13 inches without major modifications to the driveline. May suggests an SUV might be a decent alternative. Richard May, owner of several United Access dealerships throughout the Midwest, says it's not just young buyers who don't like minivans, citing the segment's drop in annual sales from a high of 1. As one of the largest builders of wheelchair-accessible vehicles, VMI is now dealing with the same problem as the rest of the auto industry: appealing to younger buyers and aging baby boomers. Even this style-heavy minivan might not be enough to sway clients like Stephen Willoby, a veteran who returned from Afghanistan four years ago as a quadriplegic. Now, with this influx of newly disabled veterans, companies must adapt to their different tastes. Such a vehicle might look something like the recently unveiled VPG MV-1 wheelchair-accessible SUV Taxi, which boasts unique styling and a rear-drive V-8 drivetrain. |
Tuesday, 1 May 2012
Disabled Young Drivers Want Anything But a Minivan
