Wheelchair-accessible vehicle manufacturer Vantage Mobility International (Phoenix) has signed an exclusive agreement to distribute the products of Mobility Networks, a vehicle accessibility solutions maker in the United Kingdom, throughout North America.
Under the agreement, announced Tuesday, VMI will make Mobility Networks’ products available for installation on some of the most popular wheelchair-accessible vans (WAVs) on the road, including the Dodge Promaster and Ford Transit full size vans. Those solutions include the iCLASS platform lift technology that comes in several designs, including split, solid and fold lifts.
“Installing Mobility Networks’ products on VMI vehicles ensures that we are giving our customers the best and safest products on the market that fit their unique needs to achieve greater independence,“ VMI CEO Mark Shaughnessy said in a statement.
Because Mobility Networks uses common components in its products, the deal will also likely reduce dealers’ required inventoried parts by 69 percent, the companies said. This means that mobility dealers will potentially have a faster turnaround time on service for VMI vehicles.
“This exclusive arrangement with Mobility Networks will also simplify our product line, enabling VMI and our authorized dealers to maintain an inventory of ready parts for efficient installation, service and repair,” Shaughnessy said.
For Mobility Networks, the deal marks the company’s expansion into the North American market, including Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. Wayne Harmer, the CEO of Mobility Networks Group, said he is excited about working with VMI, which he called “a trusted and established partner.”
“Both parties share a common and closely aligned purpose and we believe that this partnership will strengthen our goals of empowering lives and promoting inclusivity for all,” Harmer said.
