- VMI rolls out industry’s first commercial, side entry in-floor ramp wheelchair minivan today
- VMI’s first ADA compliant Toyota Sienna rolled off the VMI assembly line today
- The ADA Northstar E360 is the first vehicle produced for VMI’s new commercial division
PHOENIX, Ariz. – August 26, 2015 – Vantage Mobility International (VMI) announced that the first commercial use, ADA complaint Toyota Northstar E360 rolled off its assembly line today in Phoenix, Arizona. The ADA Northstar E360 is the only Wheelchair Accessible Van featuring a side-entry, in-floor ramp built for commercial use. VMI’s new Commercial Division will initially offer the ADA Northstar E360 through select dealers across North America.
“The demand for an ADA compliant version of our in-floor, side-entry Northstar ramp conversion has been very strong, especially since announcing our new Commercial Division,” said Doug Eaton, President and CEO of VMI. “Combining VMI’s patented technologies into the reliable Toyota Sienna makes the ADA Northstar E360 the best commercial van choice, both from a feature and a total cost of ownership perspective. It’s the vehicle that commercial companies have been waiting for.”
VMI has been building the highest quality consumer-focused mobility vehicles for three decades. The company is an industry leader with its innovative side entry in-floor ramp minivans that offer an unobstructed entrance and convenient passenger boarding. The E360 deep floor drop offers the tallest door opening and the most interior space for wheelchair maneuverability. These benefits, combined with the reliable Toyota Sienna chassis are incorporated into the new ADA Northstar E360.
“Toyota is very excited about VMI’s entry into the commercial segment, which features an innovative design to meet the needs of demanding commercial customers looking for quality and value,” said Mark Oldenburg, national fleet marketing, mobility and strategic planning manager for Toyota. “Our goal is to continue to provide a broad selection of the best mobility solutions on the market. Now, VMI’s ADA Northstar E360 Toyota Sienna provides companies access to the same world-class vehicle consumers have enjoyed for years with the first manually operated in-floor design that will provide easier access for users and value savings for commercial customers.”
VMI’s commercial vans will be available to retirement centers, taxi drivers and other transportation companies through select VMI dealers across the United States and Canada.
“Our ADA Northstar E360, with configurable seating and unobstructed entrance provides flexibility and convenience for all passengers,” said Hugh Palmer, VMI Director of Product Management. “This van is ideal for assisted living centers and shuttle services that value the comfort of wheelchair users and able-bodied passengers alike.”
Full scale production and delivery began today and will continue to ramp up over the next quarter. For detailed product information, click on this link.
About Vantage Mobility International
Vantage Mobility International (VMI) is a leading manufacturer of wheelchair accessible vehicles built on Toyota, Honda, Chrysler and Dodge minivans. It has advanced the mobility industry for 30 years with a robust portfolio of power and manual ramp conversions, platform lifts and transfer seats. VMI is based in Phoenix, Arizona where its manufacturing facility utilizes Six Sigma techniques to employ continuous process improvements and deliver high quality products for personal use and commercial applications. For additional information, contact Scott Black at TimePiece PR (214) 520-3430 ext. 303 or visit http://www.vmivans.com.
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM), the world’s top automaker and creator of the Prius and the Mirai fuel cell vehicle, is committed to building vehicles for the way people live through our Toyota, Lexus and Scion brands. Over the past 50 years, Toyota built more than 25 million cars and trucks in North America, where we operate 14 manufacturing plants (10 in the U.S.) and directly employ more than 42,000 people (more than 33,000 in the U.S.). Our 1,800 North American dealerships (1,500 in the U.S.) sold more than 2.67 million cars and trucks (more than 2.35 million in the U.S.) in 2014 – and about 80 percent of all Toyota vehicles sold over the past 20 years are still on the road today. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com.
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