Mobility Ventures builds dealer network for its wheelchair-accessible vehicles

Mobility Ventures LLC, the current builder of the MV-1, says it has now signed more than 50 dealers. The MV-1 is the only American-built vehicle designed from the ground up for people with mobility challenges; it meets or exceeds the Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines as well as all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).

Last year, the original designer and builder of the MV-1 -- the Vehicle Production Group LLC -- was acquired by South Bend, Ind.-based AM General. Mobility Ventures was created from the remains of VPG, and like its parent company, is headquartered in South Bend.

Mobility Ventures sales and marketing VP John Walsh says the 50-plus dealers are the start of a larger international dealership network. He says the dealers are well-established and have strong customer satisfaction in sales and service (you can see the list at www.mv-1.us).

Walsh says AM General's commercial assembly plant has started production and is on schedule for MV-1 dealer deliveries next month.

The company says it will continue to add more dealers and is conducting interviews with potential candidates in major markets across the country.

By Wes Raynal