Global population trends propelling mobility market for disabled drivers

Tapping into a worldwide base of motivated customers equal in scope to all the people in China, OEMs and aftermarket businesses continue to roll out wheelchair accessible vehicles, add-ons and accessories designed to meet the specialized needs of disabled drivers.

“The disability market is the next big consumer segment,” says consultant Rich Donovan, CEO of Fifth Quadrant Analytics. “With an estimated population of 1.3 billion, people with disabilities (PWD) are a large global market. Their friends and family add another 2.2 billion potential consumers that act on their emotional connection to PWD,” he notes.

“Together they control over $8 trillion in annual disposable income globally,” says Donovan. Companies seeking new ways to create value for stakeholders have a strong interest in attracting the spending of this increasingly powerful cohort.”

Donovan, author of the Global Economics of Disability report, goes on to point out that “the demographics of an aging population of so-called `Baby Boomers’ are adding to the number of PWD. As Boomers’ physical realities change, their need and desire to remain active in society dovetails with the demands of PWD. They also control a larger share of the national wealth than any previous generation. The result is three generations of skilled consumers who have similar needs, emerging identities and significant spending power.”

“There is a growing global market need for wheelchair accessible vehicles,” agrees Brandi Larkin, marketing manager at BraunAbility, which has collaborated with Tripod Mobility in The Netherlands to create a wheelchair accessible Transit Connect.

“Ford’s Transit Connect is an example of a global vehicle platform engineered to meet the requirements of customers around the world,” says Jim Probst, BraunAbility’s director of product portfolio management. “We have followed Ford`s lead by partnering with Tripod to develop a conversion package that is fit for global markets.”

Complying with the road-ready governmental rules and regulations of Europe, North America and other continents, the vehicle made its debut at September’s REHACARE exposition in Dusseldorf, Germany. The event attracted 51,250 PWD industry attendees along with 902 exhibitors from nearly 40 nations.

In addition to medical-device merchants and service providers, vehicle manufacturers and upfitters were on hand to showcase the latest in mobility equipment such as swivel seats, wheelchair loading units, joystick controls and other assistive technologies that permit people with impairments to get behind the wheel.

“Exhibitors both from at home and abroad have presented a wealth of innovations and further developments, especially in the field of mobility. Both people affected and experts are keen to benefit from these,” reports managing director Joachim Schäferc of Messe Düsseldorf, the show’s producer. Düsseldorf’s next edition of REHACARE is Oct. 14-17, 2015.

International partnerships

Marketing to more than 135 countries, Cavagna has joined with Rolfi Special Trims and Citroen Italy to engineer a propane-powered taxi now serving patrons on the streets of Milan. Called the Citroen Berlingo Freespace For All, the hybrid bi-fuel vehicle features a low floor and other elements designed to ease travel for disabled riders while also remaining acceptable to the general public.

“The introduction of this new kind of taxi really is a game-changer,” says Cavagna CEO Davide Cavagna. “Up to now, ecological taxis for people in wheelchairs have been created by adapting raised roofs and internal elevators to existing car models, with results that leave much to be desired: Long boarding times for disabled people – which obviously leads to higher taxi fares – a general reduction in the taxi’s interior spaces, and the idea that the taxi is exclusively for disabled people due to the bulky and visible equipment that must be put to use.”

Working in conjunction with BraunAbility, Japan’s Nissan NV200 Mobility Taxi is being hailed as the “Taxi of Tomorrow” in New York City. It has a rear-entry ramp and an integrated restraint system that provides safe and quick securing of wheelchairs for traversing under chaotic traffic conditions.

“With more than 600,000 people hailing New York taxis every day, it is important that the NV200 taxi be able to serve everyone, including those with disabilities,” according to Joe Castelli, a Nissan divisional vice president.

“The mobility design meets or exceeds all ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements for accessibility,” Castelli says. “The rear-entry ramp is safe and well-suited for the congested streets of New York City, eliminating the need for wheelchair users to cross traffic in order to enter or exit the vehicle.”

Manufactured at the company’s plant in Cuernavaca, Mexico and tested at its Arizona proving grounds, the vehicle logged upwards of 155,000 miles – enough to cover every street in Manhattan more than 300 times – prior to its Big Apple debut. With the NV200 carrying a sticker price in the neighborhood of $29,700, civil authorities in London, Paris, Tokyo and Bangkok have been leveraging the Nissan taxi line for their urban transportation needs.

Headquartered in South Bend, Ind., and owned by AM General, Mobility Ventures has chosen MENA Mobility Solutions of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates to be the exclusive Middle Eastern and North African distributor for its MV-1 universally accessible vehicle designed from the get-go to accommodate wheelchair users.

“This international partnership furthers the reach of the MV-1 to provide accessible transportation to individuals with mobility challenges, commercial fleets, institutions and municipalities,” says Rick Smith, Mobility Ventures’ president.

“The MV-1 finally opens up the accessible market to include government agencies, public transport, hotel shuttle and accessible car hire,” observes MENA CEO and President Brendan McGuinness, adding that the company’s sales and support system includes both independent dealerships and full-service repair centers.

Manufactured at AM General’s 675,000-square-foot plant in Mishawaka, Ind., the MV-1’s distribution network is actively expanding its international presence, including the recent recruitment of more than 50 new authorized sales and service centers in the U.S.

“The addition of the MV-1 to our lineup is one of the best decisions we have made,” says Ty Beck, mobility manager at Jordan Ford Mobility/MV-1 of South Texas in San Antonio. “The MV-1 is functional, versatile, reliable, and in my opinion, the coolest mobility vehicle on the road,” he asserts.

Meeting unique needs

“Unprecedented growth” is happening throughout the mobility motorcar segment, according to Tim Hyland, president of GE Capital’s Commercial Distribution Finance (CDF) specialty vehicles division. CDF is currently providing funds for 175 dealers across the country.

“Our inventory financing portfolio has grown by double digits over the last year, and we expect this growth to continue for the next several years,” says Hyland. “We have grown with the industry, navigating changes to the industry landscape together, and collaborating to meet the unique needs of this important vehicle sector,” he notes.

“With the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) reporting that there are over 18 million people in the U.S. and Canada with mobility needs, it appears the industry is primed for long-term growth,” says Hyland. “Mobility vehicles can have a huge impact on quality of life, and we want to make sure our dealers are able to get their products to those who need it most.”

Known for his advocacy on behalf of military families, retired U.S. Army Gen. Wesley Clark is on duty as an advisor to KLD Energy Technologies and Kenguru as the two Texas-based firms further develop the Kenguru EV, a steering wheel-controlled, all-electric low-speed vehicle aimed at delivering reliable transportation and increased mobility for wounded veterans and other wheelchair-using drivers.

“I am proud to be part of an American company like KLD Energy,” Clark says. “They are a leader in electric propulsion technology and are supplying their system to improve the quality of life worldwide.”

Additional support is coming from the highest levels; President Barack Obama personally expressed admiration for the endeavor during a meeting with key executives in 2013.

Projected to cost less than $25,000, the eco-friendly Kenguru is on the road toward qualifying for the Veterans Administration’s Automobile Allowance Program – allowing eligible service members to receive the car for free.

“This specific project with Kenguru is incredible,” says Clark. “With every vehicle designed for enhanced mobility, we are showing much needed support for our veterans and disabled citizens.”

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