MV-1 Canada Signs Agreement with Co-op Cabs

• By Laurie Watanabe
• Oct 17, 2013

MV-1 Canada has announced a new partnership to supply its wheelchair-accessible vehicle to Co-op Cabs, a taxi service in Toronto.

"The MV-1 is a Canadian idea whose time has come as it relates to accessible vehicles," Nick Grande, CEO of MV-1 Canada, said in a news announcement about the Co-op Cabs deal. "The MV-1 provides a safe and secure environment for those in our society who deserve the very best and shouldn't be seen as an afterthought."

Peter Zahakos, CEO of Co-op Cabs, pointed out that until the MV-1, Co-op Cabs drivers used converted Dodge Caravans as their sole model of accessible vehicles in Toronto.

"The Toronto taxi industry deserves a choice, and we are thrilled that Co-op Cabs is blazing a trail for universal accessibility by choosing the MV-1," Grande added. "With this choice, we begin the process of creating a culture of accessibility for all Torontonians to be empowered to achieve the very best in their lives."

The MV-1 -- a purpose-built accessible vehicle that enables wheelchair users to stay in their chairs and ride in the front-passenger or back-passenger seat areas - was originally manufactured by Vehicle Production Group (VPG), which shut down operations earlier this year.

In September, AM General - best known for its production of the Humvee - announced it would purchase VPG and resume building the MV-1 at its Mishawaka, Ind., facility, where the MV-1 was previously built. AM General has renamed the company Mobility Ventures.