Leveraging Automotive Group UK Industry Expertise
The Automotive Group UK is here to help you if your search for a wheelchair-accessible vehicle has stagnated. The Automotive Group UK is one of the oldest companies in the industry, with more than 38 years of experience. They guarantee you tested and proven products and services.
After discovering the information gap, Automotive Group UK gathered its experts to brainstorm with other industry leaders. They came up with a comprehensive guide of questions and answers that addresses every Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle question asked over the years. Check it out:
Which vehicle qualifies as a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle?
A WAV is a car that has been modified and adapted to make it easier for you to access your wheelchair. This does not require you to transfer seats. The vehicle has enough room and features to accommodate your wheelchair.
What are the most common WAVs used in the UK?
The best vehicles at Automotive Group include the Nissan NV200, Citroen Berlingo, Dispatch Fortune, and the Volkswagen Caddy Maxi.
They are manufactured to European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval specifications ( ECWVTA ) to ensure quality and safety. The WAVs are sold to a variety of markets, including dealers, taxi service providers, local governments, care homes, and private WAV owners.
What are the most common sizes of Wheelchair-Accessible Vehicles?
You can select from a variety of WAVs, depending on the size and type that you need. This is a brief overview of each:
Small WAVs: These are designed to fit four people. They have a lowered flooring to provide more headroom, and instead of a lift, they use a ramp to make access easier. The ramp angle is reduced to allow for easier access with this lowered floor. In the last 40 years, Automotive Group has carved out a niche by fitting most of its vehicles with rear access ramps that are lightweight or fully automatic. These ramps are safer and easier to use because there is less room for error. Access ramps for our WAVs are mainly made up of rear and side tail lifts.
Medium WAVs can accommodate up to five people, and a wheelchair of a greater size is easily accessible. The majority of medium WAVs have a ramp. A lift can be installed to make it easier for people with disabilities to enter the vehicle.
These WAVs are ideal for transporting large wheelchairs or mobility equipment. These WAVs are suitable for the daily commute to work, to shop, and other similar traveling tasks.
Automotive Group has been focusing on small and medium WAVs for almost 40 years. They are in high demand.
Which WAVs can be purchased on the market depending on wheelchair position
You can categorize your Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs) based on the wheelchair position inside the vehicle that you are driving. You have a few options:
Passenger WAVs – In this model, you travel in your wheelchair. It can be in the back or next to the driver, depending on your preference.
Drive-from-wheelchair WAV: This car model gives you the ability to deploy a ramp, get in, open and close the door, and secure your wheelchair using an automatic docking system. This sophistication makes a drive-from-wheelchair WAV more expensive, and it requires a lot of modifications. These WAVs are a small part of the AG product line.
You can classify your WAV by its entry position. You will see ads for WAVs with rear, side, or front entry. This classification allows you to make a purchase based on your needs easily.
What features can you expect from a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle?
You need to be aware of what you can expect from your WAV before you go shopping. Otherwise, you may end up purchasing a large, ordinary vehicle because the dealer convinced you that it could accommodate your wheelchair. The following features are important to consider:
Ramps are the most important modification to a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle. They make access much easier. The raised surfaces on these ramps make wheelchair travel easier, as they eliminate the need to lift heavy objects and transfer them onto the car seat. Ramps can be either manual or automatic. Automatic ramps are operated by a simple button press, making them the best choice. Automotive Group offers rear access ramps that are light in weight and fold down below the rear glass line. This prevents the rear view from being obscured.
Lifts: An automatic lift can be installed on a large WAV to make it easier for your caregiver to get you in the car. The automatic lifts are very convenient, and it is no wonder that they have become an essential part of WAVs.
Do you want to buy a vehicle and then modify it, or buy it straight from the conversion dealer?
You can’t buy your WAV in any other way. This vehicle should be purchased from a reputable manufacturer with years of experience in the industry. Automotive Group’s WAV specialists already know the needs of the market and use this knowledge to create and provide the most functional vehicles available in this category.
Is there a WAV for every lifestyle?
Another question that touches on a key factor when shopping for WAVs. The WAV is not one size fits all because it’s modified to suit different lifestyles. A conversion specialist, for example, will take into account the number of passengers you travel regularly with, the length of the trip, and your highest level of comfort.
These experts also check the regularity of your travels, any mobility aids that need to be stored in the Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle, parking availability, how long you drive in your WAV, and whether or not it is possible to convert a normal car into a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle.
When looking for a WAV, what are the most important considerations?
When looking for the best, accessibility and comfort are important factors to consider. This includes wide rear access ramps that are lightweight and lowered floors to increase headroom, as many chairs today are large. Consider:
The size of the vehicle is important.
You should consider your budget to ensure that you do not ruin your finances. This is especially true if another mobility solution exists. Leasing is a convenient and affordable solution for WAV.
Fuel efficiency and compliance with emission standards. It is a good investment to buy a car with low fuel consumption that meets emission standards, as you will not only avoid fines for emissions but also save money on fuel.
Features: The best wheelchair-accessible vehicle (WAV) is not necessarily the most stylish in the showroom. It’s one with everything you need, including easy access, headroom, visibility for wheelchair passengers, comfort without compromise during travel, and a quick and simple wheelchair locking system.
Performance: Driving a WAV doesn’t mean you need to crawl along the road. Look for reliability and performance in the modified car’s engine. Never compromise the performance of a vehicle because a poor engine is always an indicator that there are problems.
Convenience and comfort are merged: When you test drive a WAV, make sure to test the convenience of being able to control the vehicle from your wheelchair.
Where is the best store to purchase a WAV?
It is just as important to choose the right dealership when buying your WAV as it is that the vehicle itself works well. Do your research and find a dealer with a lot of experience in the field. AG National Team advisors have a wealth of experience in leveraging the latest technology to make your vehicle fully functional while also emphasizing convenience and safety.
They also conduct extensive research and design to develop modifications for you when you contact them with specific needs. This company also offers customized solutions because each lifestyle is different, and there cannot be a WAV that fits all.
You can enjoy a home demonstration at no cost, so you only pay for the WAV when you are completely satisfied.
Shopping for your drive-from-wheelchair WAV or passenger WAV need not be an arduous task as long as you have the right information. You can now click on a WAV company like Automotive Group UK and identify one that is reputable.
Get yourself a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle. You will never have the same experience on the roads.
