Vehicle Production Group#MV-1

Production began in 2011, but by February 2013, Vehicle Production Group ceased production of new vehicles. The company laid off all employees and closed its doors in May 2013 after their finances dropped below the minimum condition of a $50 million clean-energy loan awarded by the US Department of Energy in March 2011.{{cite news| title= Van maker VPG, backed by DOE loans, shuts down| url= https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2013/05/08/vpg-auto-fisker-solyndra-tesla-doe-loan/2143201/ |first= Chris |last= Woodyard |work=USA Today |date= 8 May 2013 |access-date= 10 March 2015 }} AM General reached an agreement with the Department of Energy to acquire the assets of VPG in September 2013, after it had purchased the $50 million DOE loan for $3 million.{{cite web| url= http://www.autonews.com/article/20130905/OEM01/130909918/am-general-to-acquire-vehicle-production-group | title= AM General to acquire Vehicle Production Group| first= Andrew |last= Thurlow | work= Automotive News | date= 5 September 2013 | access-date= 10 March 2015}}

AM General then created "Mobility Ventures", a wholly owned subsidiary to again produce and distribute the MV-1 through its dealer network. Production restarted on March 11, 2014.{{cite press release| url= http://www.amgeneral.com/corporate/news/2014-production-launch-of-universally-accessible-mv-1-vehicle | title= Mobility Ventures Announces 2014 Production | publisher= AM General | location= Mishawaka, Indiana |date= 11 March 2014 | access-date= 10 March 2015}}

{{Infobox automobile

| name = Standard Taxi

| image =

| manufacturer = The Vehicle Production Group LLC

| aka =

| production =

| assembly =

| predecessor =

| successor = MV-1

| class = Minivan

| body_style = 4-door minivan

| layout = Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive

| platform =

| engine =

| transmission =

| wheelbase = {{convert|118.0|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}

| length = {{convert|196.5|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}{{cite web|title=Vehicle specifications|url=http://www.standardtaxi.com/specs.html|work=Standard Taxi official website |access-date=2008-07-15 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080624100453/http://www.standardtaxi.com/specs.html |archive-date = 2008-06-24}}

| width = {{convert|79.4|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}

| height = {{convert|75.0|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}{{cite web|first= Jared |last= Gall|title=2009 Standard Taxi - Auto Shows|url=http://www.caranddriver.com/news/auto_shows/2007_new_york_auto_show_new_york_international_auto_show_nyias_auto_shows/production_and_concept_debuts/2009_standard_taxi_auto_shows| work= Car and Driver|date=April 2007|access-date=2008-07-15}}

| weight =

| related =

| designer =

| sp = us

}}

The Standard Taxi was a purpose-built taxicab prototype designed by Vehicle Production Group.{{cite web|title=Taxi Reinvented |url=http://www.standardtaxi.com/documents/051407_BusinessWeek_StandardTaxi.pdf |work=BusinessWeek |access-date=2008-07-15 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010040555/http://www.standardtaxi.com/documents/051407_BusinessWeek_StandardTaxi.pdf |archive-date=October 10, 2008 }} It was unveiled at the 2005 International Association of Transportation Regulators (IATR) conference and later that year at the Taxicab, Limousine, and Paratransit Association (TLPA) annual convention in Las Vegas.

In mid-2008, it was announced that a contract had been signed with South Bend, Indiana-based AM General to build the Standard Taxi taxicabs, beginning in 2009.[http://www.standardtaxi.com/documents/Issue_11.htm Issue 11] at StandardTaxi.com {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106014804/http://www.standardtaxi.com/documents/Issue_11.htm |date=November 6, 2013 }}

Through market feedback, VPG developed a more advanced and user-friendly vehicle known as the MV-1 to replace the Standard Taxi, which never entered series production.

Specs

• Vehicle Production Group LLC (VPG)
• Production – 2010 (planned, but cancelled)
• Engine – GM SEFI 4.3 L Vortec V6 engine
• Wheelbase – {{convert|122|in|mm|0}}
• Length – {{convert|196.5|in|mm|0}}
• Width – {{convert|79.4|in|mm|0}}
• Height – {{convert|75|in|mm|0}}
• Fuel capacity – gasoline – {{convert|24|gal|L}}

{{-}}

{{Infobox automobile

| name = MV-1

| image = 2012 MV-1 in civilian dress.jpg

| manufacturer = AM General under contract from Vehicle Production Group

| aka =

| production = 2011–2016

| assembly = Mishawaka, Indiana

| predecessor = Standard Taxi

| successor =

| class = Minivan

| body_style = 4-door

| layout = Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive

| platform =

| engine = 4.6 L Ford Modular V8 (2011–2014)
3.7 L Cyclone V6 (2015–2016)

| transmission = 4-speed automatic (until 2014)
6-speed automatic (2015–2016)

| wheelbase = {{convert|122.0|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}

| length = {{convert|205.0|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}

| width = {{convert|79.4|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}

| height = {{convert|75.0|in|mm|0|abbr=on}}

| weight = {{convert|6600|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} (GVWR)

| related =

| designer =

| sp = us

}}

The MV-1 was a purpose-built taxicab designed by Vehicle Production Group and built in Mishawaka, Indiana at an AM General plant{{cite web |url=http://www.gizmag.com/mv1-van-for-wheelchair-users/19921/ |title=MV-1 van is designed specifically for wheelchair users |first1=Ben |last1=Coxworth |work=gizmag.com |date=September 22, 2011 |archive-date=2012-02-11 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120211163433/http://www.gizmag.com/mv1-van-for-wheelchair-users/19921/ |access-date=April 3, 2012}} The name is an initialism for "Mobility Vehicle 1". It was intended to replace the planned Standard Taxi, and like that car it was developed in collaboration with AM General.{{cite web | title = AM General to build VPG MV-1 people-mover at Hummer H2 factory | url = http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/21/am-general-to-build-vpg-mv-1-people-mover-at-hummer-h2-factory/ | work = AutoBlog | first = Jeremy | last = Korzeniewski | publisher = AOL | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120630141906/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/21/am-general-to-build-vpg-mv-1-people-mover-at-hummer-h2-factory/ | date = 2009-10-21 | archive-date = 2012-06-30 | url-status=live }} The first MV-1 rolled off the line in October 2011 and was delivered to disabled former American football player Marc Buoniconti, who was a company spokesperson.{{cite web |title = 2011 VPG Autos MV-1: A Long-Overdue Entry In An Otherwise Overlooked Segment | last = Ewing | first = Steven J. | date = 2011-10-06 | publisher = AOL| url = https://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/06/2011-vpg-autos-mv-1-quick-spin-review/ | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111009041652/https://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/06/2011-vpg-autos-mv-1-quick-spin-review/ | archive-date = 2011-10-09 | work = AutoBlog}}

File:MV-1 yellow cab NY.jpg

Developed from the Standard Taxi, it was a more advanced and user-friendly vehicle than its predecessor. The MV-1 was the first production-made purpose-built vehicle in North America constructed from the ground up for people with disabilities.{{cite news |url=https://www.foxnews.com/auto/quick-spin-mv-1-mobility-vehicle |title=Quick Spin: MV-1 Mobility VehicleCar Report |first=Gary |last=Gastelu |date=December 9, 2010 |publisher=Fox News.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120422025830/http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2010/12/06/quick-spin-mv-mobility-vehicle/ |archive-date=April 22, 2012 |url-status=live }} It seats up to six adults, with two full-size wheelchairs. Chairs are allowed entry via an ADA-approved ramp, able to carry {{convert|1200|lb|kg|0|abbr=on}} and which stows under the vehicle's floor.{{cite web | url = http://www.shopautoweek.com/articles/2012/01/detroit-auto-show-wrap-up--vehicle-production-group-mv-1.html | title = Detroit auto show wrap-up: Vehicle Production Group MV-1 | publisher = AutoWeek | work = ShopAutoWeek.com | date = 2012-01-11 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130408081416/http://www.shopautoweek.com/articles/2012/01/detroit-auto-show-wrap-up--vehicle-production-group-mv-1.html | access-date = 2012-04-03 | archive-date = April 8, 2013 | url-status=live }} The rear doors are {{convert|36|in|cm}} wide and {{convert|56|in|cm}} tall, to accommodate bulky wheelchairs.

On 21 October 2011, it was announced that New York City's Taxi and Limousine Commission had approved the MV-1 for use as a yellow cab.{{cite web | title = New York City's Taxi & Limousine Commission Approves the MV-1® | url = http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-york-citys-taxi--limousine-commission-approves-the-mv-1-132349458.html | publisher = PR Newswire | date = 2011-10-21 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120416003755/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-york-citys-taxi--limousine-commission-approves-the-mv-1-132349458.html | archive-date = 2012-04-16 | url-status=live }} Because it is handicap accessible, the MV-1 has continued to be approved for taxi use even after the new Nissan NV200 has replaced all other yellow cabs.{{citation needed|date=April 2012}} The MV-1 is the first purpose-built taxicab to be allowed to enter service as a yellow cab since the iconic Checker Marathon.

File:NYCT 0945 (6751574999).jpg", NYC's paratransit system]]

File:MV-1 rear view.jpg

Originally, the MV-1 was to be based on a General Motors pickup truck with a standard GM drivetrain. Instead, the concept version had a Roush-designed chassis[http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/2012-new-york-auto-show-mv-1.htm Consumer Guide Automotive] and a powertrain from a Ford Crown Victoria. In either case, it has a simple but sturdy body-on-frame construction with fully boxed rails. The engine is the well-known Ford Modular 4.6L V8 which produces {{convert|248|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}}. VPG had partnered with Clean Energy Inc, the largest provider of compressed natural gas (CNG) for fleets in North America, to offer the MV-1 with a CNG fuel option. The MV-1 with CNG has an estimated {{convert|290|mi|-1|adj=on}} range with three Type-3 tanks integrated into the vehicle's design.

Production was temporarily halted in the summer of 2012 as VPG changed its tooling in order to introduce the MV-1 LX, a more luxurious version. The LX allows the access ramp to be controlled from the keyfob, and also has some wood trim and other luxury features.{{cite journal | url = http://articles.southbendtribune.com/2012-06-13/news/32220791_1_vehicle-production-group-commercial-plant-mv-1 | journal = South Bend Tribune | date = 2012-06-13 | last = Meenan | first = Jim | title = AM General prepares to add new line | access-date = 2012-07-24 }} The 2015–2016 model is powered by a newer Ford 3.7L Ti-VCT V6. Fuel economy is {{convert|14|mpgus|abbr=on}} city, {{convert|16|mpgus|abbr=on}} highway, and {{convert|15|mpgus|abbr=on}} combined.

The vehicle played a part in the Paul Rudd movie, The Fundamentals of Caring in 2016.

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{{reflist|colwidth=33em}}

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• [https://web.archive.org/web/20120918133513/http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=47419505 VPG] at Businessweek

{{AM General}}

{{Automotive industry in the United States}}

Category:Defunct automotive companies of the United States

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