Returning GIs from World War II begat a baby boomer generation that is growing older and taking care of elderly parents. And thanks to modern medical technology, soldiers suffering wounds that were once fatal on the battlefield are surviving, thriving and eager to lead active and self-determined lives with the aid of automotive wheelchair accommodations, hand controls, left-foot accelerators and other adaptive add-ons.
According to the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA), 54 million Americans and nearly 4 million Canadians have disabilities. More than 18 million people in the U.S. and Canada report having transportation issues relating to physical challenges; 6 million of them are veterans, a figure that has jumped by 25 percent since 2001.
With May marking both Older Americans Month and NMEDA’s National Mobility Awareness Month, attention is being drawn to the automakers and aftermarket businesses that are taking an increasing role in assisting disabled drivers with vehicle modifications engineered to meet their individual behind-the-wheel requirements.
“The industry has certainly changed over the past few years,” observes Elizabeth Green, executive director of the Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (ADED). “More and more Americans with disabilities are getting out beyond their homes, and the industry is there to meet their needs.”
In a category that was once dominated by stark utilitarian vehicles with limited style, mobility enhancements are now being applied to rugged pickups and SUVs, sporty sedans and luxury offerings.
In addition to a large population of aging baby boomers who show no signs of retiring to the rocking chair and giving up their car-based lifestyles, wounded warriors returning from Iraq and Afghanistan have been driving much of the trend toward attractive and functional rides that display the same sense of flair seen among other vehicles on the road – and off-road for those who are even more adventurous.
“A 23-year-old doesn’t want to be driving a car that his or her parents are driving,” Green points out. “They want vehicles that their peers are driving – not minivans.”
As you might expect, specialized training is necessary for shops and sales outlets interested in serving this segment. Augmented mechanical knowledge for installing and repairing the modifications along with appropriate customer relations skills are certified under the auspices of NMEDA’s Quality Assurance Program (QAP).
“QAP is based on the principle that in order to satisfy customers consistently, companies must have a systematic and documented approach to quality,” according to the organization. “The program elevates the level of dealer performance to reliably meet consumers’ transportation needs in the safest manner possible.” Adequate shop liability insurance is another critical requirement.
“We really want our consumers to choose a provider who has experience in the industry and is certified,” says Green. ADED’s membership assesses and prepares physically challenged clients for driving while matching them with the correct vehicle accommodations.
Serving servicing needs
Based in Addison, Texas, HASCO Medical operates 20 locations in 11 states from Maine to Florida under the brands of Ride-Away, Mobility Freedom and Wheelchair Vans of America. The company recently announced that it is collaborating with manufacturer BraunAbility and its automotive training partner Cecil Bullard “to create the mobility industry’s first one-stop-shop to meet all of the service needs of mobility customers.”
The service enhancements are being implemented at select Ride-Away sites in Londonderry, N.H.; North Attleboro, Mass.; Tampa, Fla.; and Beltsville, Md. A company-wide rollout is anticipated after an evaluation period.
“Bullard will help us determine the best way to maximize our automotive repair business,” says Rick Fountain, HASCO’s vice president of service. “Right now our industry installs adaptive equipment and sells vans, but those vans need to come in for maintenance, service and recalls,” he notes, adding that the businesses serving the 18 million-plus Americans and Canadians with mobility issues have typically just serviced and repaired the wheelchair-adapted portion of a customer’s vehicle.
“People with disabilities deserve a convenient one-stop-shop for their service needs, which they do not get today,” Fountain says. “With Bullard’s help, we will have a better service relationship, maintain our industry-leading customer service and ensure we keep customers coming back to us. We want to have the total experience for the customer, while keeping the revenues in our stores, and this is how we will do it.”
Also being added to company’s sales lineup, available this summer, are new wheelchair accessible conversion SUVs: The Ford Explorer-based BraunAbility MXV, and Mobility SVM models based on the Chevrolet Suburban and GMC Yukon XL.
“We see these vehicles as increasing the addressable market size with little destruction of sales in our core wheelchair van business,” says HASCO CEO Hal Compton. “I fully expect people to trade up to these SUVs, and as word of mouth spreads we will see more traffic in our newly updated showrooms. Our 2015 sales plan will surely be aided by these incredible vehicles.”
Safety and comfort
In July of last year AM General subsidiary Mobility Ventures launched its MV-1 LX, which is being billed as “the world’s first ‘purpose-built’ universally wheelchair accessible luxury vehicle designed and built exclusively for people with disabilities.”
Manufactured at AM General’s Commercial Assembly Plant in Mishawaka, Ind., it meets all applicable safety standards in the U.S. and Canada for crash-worthiness tests as required by both the U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS), according to the company.
“The MV-1 fills a significant void in consumer, government and transportation fleet markets while providing unsurpassed accessibility, safety and comfort for its passengers,” says Mobility Ventures President Rick Smith.
“This vehicle is redefining choice in luxury fleet options,” concurs John Walsh, vice president for sales and marketing. The MV-1 LX is appointed with rosewood, chrome and leather accents. The package also includes a two-stage power ramp with a one-touch electronic control, and the driver’s compartment features an advanced double-DIN satellite radio with navigation, back-up camera and Bluetooth connectivity.
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