VPG Auto's MV-1 Begins Production

VPG Autos has officially started production of their vehicle, the MV-1, at their manufacturing facility in Indiana.  The vehicle will be available for purchase both for commercial and consumer applications and has the distinction of being the first and only factory-built and assembled vehicle which meets or exceeds the vehicle guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The MV-1 will be available in either gasoline or Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powertrains.  More information after the jump.


The MV-1 features a 56-inch high by 36-inch wide side door opening for easy wheelchair or motorized scooter entry and exit via a wide deployable ramp with a 1200 pound capacity that quickly and easily stores beneath the floor inside the vehicle.  The vehicle’s ramp is available in either a manual or powered version.  The MV-1 can accommodate a passenger in a wheelchair and another five occupants, when equipped with an optional rear facing jump seat.


The MV-1 is also the only ADA compliant vehicle with an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) engineered and assembled CNG fuel delivery system option. Since the system is factory installed, the MV-1 with the CNG option meets all government safety and crash test requirements and maintains the same durability, reliability and quality as the gasoline-powered vehicle, while reducing operating expenses.  The CNG fuel system delivers an estimated 290-mile range by virtue of three lightweight tanks seamlessly integrated into the vehicle’s design, providing customers with a more cost effective and environmentally conscious ownership option without sacrificing significant vehicle driving range.


Pricing for the MV-1 is set to start at $41,900.  According to VPG, all production for the first year has all been sold to customers.  Initial production is expected to ramp up significantly from 10,000  thousand in 2012 to 30,000 in 2013.