Electric Car Company, Inc. Awarded Contract to Build New Prototype Vehicle for Wheelchair Bound Individuals
SPRINGFIELD, Mo., April 19, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Electric Car Company, Inc. (OTCBB:ELCR - News), a vehicle conversion Company that specializes in electric conversions and manufacturing for the Livery and Fleet Markets, announced its first contract to convert a standard, four door sedan to accommodate a wheelchair bound driver. The conversion includes several steps, allowing the driver to enter the vehicle and stow his/her wheelchair securely in the rear seating area without assistance.
To do this, Electric Car Company called on its subsidiary, Imperial Coach Works, Inc. and its custom manufacturing division Imperial Coach Builders, Inc. to engineer and manufacture the vehicle. The first step will be to modify the rear seating area to accommodate the wheelchair. Second, the center post between the front and rear doors will be removed to allow the driver the ability to place the wheelchair into the vehicle. Third, the hinges on the rear door need to be reversed and the center post re-attached to the door itself, so as to comply with NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) standards. Finally, an electric powered remote actuator will be added to the doors, providing "hands free" operation. It may even be possible to add an optional wheelchair lift for added convenience.
In addition to the structural modifications, HDS Vans & Mobility -- Handicapped Driver Services, a company based in Marietta, GA, is donating the driver hand controls necessary to complete the conversion. HDS Vans is dedicated to providing increased vehicular mobility and independence to individuals not fully served by the traditional automotive market. Mr. Michael Dresdner, President of HDS Vans, stated that, "...Our company is proud to be involved with the developmental stages of the vehicle. We have also discussed future retailing options for the Southeastern United States." For more information about HDS Vans, go to: http://www.hdsvans.com
The prototype, a 2010 Lexus E350, is being built for Mr. B. Dale Wiley of Brentwood, TN, an advocate for persons with disabilities since the Reagan Administration. Mr. Wiley became a spinal cord injury survivor at age 17. He has since dedicated his life to educating and consulting on disability issues at the state, national and international levels. Mr. Wiley has spoken to audiences around the globe and has lobbied for and written laws in the U.S. to accommodate people with disabilities. "The mission here is to create a more user-friendly vehicle, one that will allow folks to be more independent." Mr. Wiley continued by saying, "If we get this right, the process will be applicable to any sedan on the market."
Ultimately, that is what ELCR and Imperial have in mind. "We want to be able to offer an additional option in a market that has been traditionally dominated by the minivan,"said Gary Spaniak, CEO of Electric Car Company, Inc. "Our initial research indicates that there is potentially a 600 vehicle per year niche market for these sedans." That translates into 50 vehicles per month rolling off the assembly line at Imperial's facility.
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