PRO ACTIVE GM COACHWORK QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
SPRING 2013
4
SEATS
m o o r l l a
YOU CAN IN A CANTO
b
INTRODUCING THE NEW
VOLKSWAGEN CADDY CANTO wheelchair accessible vehicle from GM Coachwork
FEATURES Seats 5 plus wheelchair passenger Removable 3 seat bench Folding rear seats featuring 60:40 split Lowered floor and low angle ramp Diesel economy delivers 53.3 mpg
STANDARD LAYOUT
y l t c i r t S
e nter th e e w s 6 band a e h - Page t g p n u i c e n k da Stri elchair e h w f o world
REAR 60/40 SEATS
04 YOU CAN IN A CANTO See our new VW Caddy Canto
For more information or to arrange a home demonstration
08 GM’S 25TH ANNIVERSARY
CALL 0845 0760962
Find out how it all began
08
www.gmcoachwork.co.uk 01_cover Canto A4New.indd advert.indd16-17 1
02/04/2013 22:32
04
12 FUTURE OF MOTORING What’s in store for us next?
04/04/2013 21:51
GM STAFF
MEET THE TEAM Gary Albinson Mobility Adaptations
Jan McCullar Receptionist
LIKES Everything in its place The 80’s love ballads
LIKES France My pussycats
DISLIKES Incompetence Sitting still
DISLIKES Cold weather Baked beans Lee Jones Minibus Sales Specialist
Kayleigh Smith Motability Sales Administrator
LIKES My dog Rugby
LIKES Chocolate Holidays
DISLIKES Hair shampoo My diary
DISLIKES Peas Spiders
Simon Albinson Customer Care After Sales
Tracey Bull Minibus Lite Sales
LIKES His new baby Playing skittles
LIKES Laughing Cats
DISLIKES Lack of sleep Fish
DISLIKES Rudeness Twiglets Roy Hayter Used Sales Specialist
Stephen Murphy Sales Manager
LIKES Skiing Motorsport
LIKES Cycling Chopping up wood
DISLIKES Water Cricket
DISLIKES Bad driving The rain
Agata Owston Minibus Sales Administrator
Simon Ballamy Motability Adviser
LIKES Chocolate Being with my new baby
LIKES Steak Football
DISLIKES Cats Winter
DISLIKES Mustard Rain Paul Barber Minibus Sales Specialist LIKES Football Coastal walking
LIKES Eating out Huge DIY jobs
DISLIKES Boats Long distance driving
DISLIKES Olives Christmas
02 // PROACTIVE Spring 2013
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David Christie Motability Adviser
www.gmcoachwork.co.uk
02/04/2013 21:33
CONTENTS
CONTENTS News 04-05 // Wheelchair dancing 06-07 // GM’s anniversary 09 // Future of motoring 10-13
04
06
09
10 GM Coachwork Ltd, Teign Valley, Trusham, Newton Abbot, TQ13 0NX T: 01626 853050 E: sales@gmcoachwork.co.uk PROACTIVE is published every quarter by GM Coachwork Ltd and distributed free of charge.
Copyright GMCoachwork Ltd. No reproducton without the publishers consent.
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02-03_Contents.indd 3
Mathew Smith, Editor mathew.smith@gmcoachwork.co.uk DESIGNED BY youngstar* creative
PROACTIVE Spring 2013 // 03
02/04/2013 21:33
GM COACHWORK NEWS
Not one… but two! NEW
Here at GM we never sit still. There’s always an idea to develop as we look for better solutions for wheelchair passengers and drivers. Our latest developments aren’t just one vehicle, but two! VW Caddy Canto – seats 5 plus wheelchair driver The new Volkswagen Caddy Canto offers the discerning buyer the perfect blend of Volkswagen quality and GM Coachwork’s renowned engineering. The Caddy CANTO is the ideal family vehicle offering seating for 5 plus the wheelchair passenger. The Canto features a lowered floor to give the
wheelchair passenger a generous 56” of headroom. The rear seats carry 3 passengers, folds forward and splits 60/40. Safety is of the utmost importance to us so the Canto comes with four point restraints and lap and diagonal seat belts.
Flare 6 – transfer to the drivers seat The Flare 6 provides a compact solution for drivers looking to transfer from their wheelchair to the drivers seat. Using a flat floor from front to back the tailgate and ramp are remote operated. The Flare 6 features a six way power seat for easy transfers from your wheelchair as well as offering seating in the rear saloon for two.
Powering the Canto is a potent and frugal 1.6TDi engine mated to a 6 speed gearbox returning 53.3mpg. Equally impressive as the economy is the equipment that comes as standard, including metallic paint, 16” alloy wheels and air conditioning. FLARE 6: plenty of space
CADDY: 56” of headroom
CADDY: Low floor & 4 point harnessing
FLARE 6: full length flat floor
To arrange home demonstrations on either of these new vehicles call Steve Murphy on 01626 853050 04 // PROACTIVE Spring 2013
04-05_FT_NEWS-v2.indd 12
www.gmcoachwork.co.uk
03/04/2013 21:42
It’s showtime We’re delighted to announce that this year GM will be attending Naidex at Birmingham on 30 April to 2 May and The Mobility Roadshow at Telford on 27-29 June. Both these shows are great for us to meet new faces and it gives you a chance to take a look at our vehicles in a relaxed environment. So put it in your
diary and come and see us. You wont miss us… we’ll have our bright yellow polo shirts on!
FOR OPENING TIMES VISIT
Congratulations to Caoney on the arrival of her bouncing baby boy Harvey. After a strenuous and slow labour Harvey was delivered by caesarean section. Mother and baby are doing fine. Mother keeps wanting to cry with joy. Bless!
www.naidex.co.uk www.mobilityroadshow.co.uk
Investing in customer support Customer support and good after sales service is very important for us which is why we’re delighted to welcome Simon Albinson to the team. Simon will be responsible for Customer Care After Sales which essentially means he will be your point of contact for any technical or mechanical
It’s a boy!
problems with your GM Coachwork vehicle. If you have any problems with the conversion on your vehicle then Simon’s your man. Remember, if it’s a problem with the vehicle then you need to contact your local dealer. You can contact Simon on 01626 855062 or email simon.albinson@ gmcoachwork.co.uk. For information regarding delivery of your new vehicle please contact the sales department on 01626 853050
25th anniversary This year GM celebrates its 25 year anniversary. Founder and CEO David Vooght is still at the helm and as enthusiastic as ever! Read his story on page 11.
IN STOCK: DRIVE-FROM WHEELCHAIR VEHICLES We have 5 used drive-from vehicles in stock from £16,750 Call Roy on 0845 0760963
COME ON IN...JOIN US! FACEBOOK facebook.com/gmcoachworkltd After 6 years at GM Lucy’s off to pastures new. Lucy’s had several roles at GM, her last one as Customer Liaison. It’s always sad to see someone go but we wish her well as she heads off to Thailand, New Zealand and Australia for a trip of a lifetime. Good luck Lucy!
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04-05_FT_NEWS-v2.indd 13
TWITTER gmcoachwork01 YOU TUBE youtube.com/gmcoachworkUK
PROACTIVE Spring 2013 // 05
03/04/2013 21:42
FEATURE: Wheelchair Dancing
The WDSA aims to make wheelchair dancing fun and exciting inspiring everyone regardless of age and ability
T
he Wheelchair Dance Sport Association (WDSA) is the national charity and governing body for wheelchair dance sport and recreational wheelchair dancing within the UK. The aims of the WDSA (UK) are to promote and develop wheelchair dancing as a sport and leisure activity across the country and to raise the standard of instruction and competition in the UK and internationally at all levels. We also aim to making dancing, fun and exciting for our
06 // PROACTIVE Spring 2013
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members and workshop participants so that people who do wheelchair dance are proud to say “I can do that!” There are a number of ideas and options which works to ensure all people have a sporting chance, by developing opportunities for disabled individuals and the community around them and by making wheelchair dance sport and wheelchair dancing fun for all. “We are creating innovative and exciting ways to engage and inspire all people,
regardless of their age or ability, so they have the chance to take part in high quality wheelchair dancing or wheelchair dance sport within the UK as well as ensuring meaningful activities that enable individuals to enjoy being active.” The following case study shows why this sport can make a difference to people’s lives and shows how you can get as much out of it as Charlie has. Charlie, 35, came along to an established dance class with his care staff.
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02/04/2013 22:03
We are creating innovative and exciting ways to engage and inspire all people His care worker sensed he was struggling to engage. He needed to be pushed in order to take part in the class and his care worker, who obviously cares greatly for him, moved his arms and body for him, during the warm-up exercises and the warm up dance.
dances, but so obviously enjoys himself and his naturally cheeky character has come to the fore. He loves it when the Instructor hides and he has to try and find her! His speech has improved and he now will talk to everyone and his care team have also taken the Instructor’s Training Course to enable them to form a group in which Charlie can take part more than just once a week as they too have seen such a difference in his behaviour and selfabusive nature.
Although Charlie appeared to enjoy himself he continued to exhibit self abusive behaviour throughout the dance class. His care worker assured the Instructor that it was fine. He came back the following week and every week since. The self-abusive behaviour gradually stopped and he now actively propels himself, albeit very slowly, into the dance class. He still needs help with pushing his wheelchair during the
Call the WDSA (UK) on 0300 111 30 45 or email info@wdsauk.co.uk or have a look at the website www.wdsauk.co.uk
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06-07_FT_wheelchair dancing.indd 13
He continues to improve each time we see him and has taken part in three National Championships and will be taking part in the next UK Championship and is currently training hard to ensure that his dancing is top class. If you would like to join the Wheelchair Dance Sport Association (UK) please look on our website for details on our membership service or if you would like to become an instructor please do contact us and we would be happy to discuss projects and ideas with schools, teachers, sports partnership leaders, clubs or youth groups to enable people to be involved in dance or sport. We are always looking for people around the UK to support the work of our local groups and our national team, if you would like to donate please text WDSA06 ÂŁ5 to 70070 or donate via our website, or you can contact us and support us through your time or support our events .
www.facebook.com/wdsauk @wdsauk PROACTIVE Spring 2013 // 07
02/04/2013 22:05
Used_Page_spring_Layout 1 28/03/2012 11:57 Page 1
USED WHEELCHAIR VEHICLES USED WHEELCHAIRPART-EX VEHICLES WELCOME MECHANICAL WARRANTY PART-EX WELCOME NATIONWIDE DELIVERY NATIONWIDE DELIVERY
MECHANICAL WARRANTY FINANCE ARRANGED FINANCE ARRANGED 5
0
£6,99
£4,85
5
5
£6,99
£4,79
2005 CITROEN BERLINGO 1.4 petrol, 2 owners, 38,000 miles, lightweight ramp, lowered floor, 2005saloon CITROEN BERLINGO one rear seat (J13255)
2007 FIAT DOBLO 1.4 petrol, twin sliding doors, lowered floor, lightweight ramp, FIATrear DOBLO air 2007 con, one seat (J11124)
1.4 petrol, 2 owners, 37,000 miles, 1.4 petrol, twin sliding doors, lowered floor, lightweight DRIVE ramp, lightweight ramp, lowered floor, 5 95 FROM 99one , 8 1 £5,9one £ air con, rear seat (J11124) rear saloon seat (J12597)
0
£3,40
5 £13,49
MERCEDES SPRINTER 2003 MERCEDES VANEO 1.6 petrol, 57000 miles, lightweight 2009, 2.1 TD, lightened steering, remote rearEXPERT doors and MERCEDES ramp,2003 low floor, one rearVANEO saloon 2010 operated PEUGEOT petrol, 57000 miles, lightweightlift,TEEPEE three tip 1.6HDi, and foldlowered rear seats. seats 1.6 (J11088) floor, ramp, low floor, one rear saloon (J13898) lightweight ramp, 27000 miles, one seats (J11088)
rear saloon seat, twin front passenger seat (J12347)
DRIVE FROM
5 £29,99
£9,995 5 £12,99
5 £36,99
2007 CITROEN C8 AUTO 35,000 miles, auto, electric powered door, lowered floor, 2008 CITROEN CIRRUS three rear saloonC8 seats (J12365)
2008 VW CARAVELLE COLORADO DRIVE-FROM WHEELCHAIR 130bhp TDI, auto, only 9000 miles, our own low floor conversion. Save nearly 2003 VW CARAVELLE COLORADO £10k on newWHEELCHAIR price (J11962) DRIVE-FROM
17,000 miles, auto, 2 rear saloon seats, good 0spec, full width ramp, 10,80 £lowered floor, (J12589)
130bhp TDI, auto, only 9000 miles, our own low floor conversion. Save over £10k on new (J11962)
0
£7,20
5 £10,49
£7,20
RENAULT TRAFIC 2008, 2.0 TD, 18000 miles, manul, 2010 CITROEN BERLINGO lightweight ramp, low floor, one 1.6 HDI, ourseat, demonstrator, rear saloon electric winch lightweight ramp, lowered floor, (J13891)
2008 RENAULT KANGOO 38,000 miles, lightweight ramp, 2008 KANGOO lowRENAULT floor, one rear saloon seat, 38,000 miles, lightweight ramp, (J11823)
0
one rear saloon seat (J10193)
ROY’S STAR CAR
WHEELCHAIR ACCESS VEHICLES WHEELCHAIR ACCESS VEHICLES
2004 FIAT 67000 miles, manual, 4 seats (J11193) 2009 DUCATO CITROEN2.0 C8 TD 2.0 diesel, HDi, 11000 miles, manual, lightweight ramp, 2 rear seats, (J12268) 2004 TOYOTA PREVIABERLINGO 2.4 petrol,BLAZE 480001.6 miles, 4 seats (J13253) 2010 CITROEN HDi,automatic, 38000 miles, manual, 2 rear seats (J10193)
low floor, one rear saloon seat, (J11823)
£5,750 £15,995
ROY’S STAR CAR
£6,995 £10,495
2006 FIATBERLINGO DOBLO HIGH ROOFOur 1.3 ex-demo, multijet diesel, 32000 miles,miles, manual, 4 seats (J12206) £6,995 2010 CITROEN BLAZE 1.6HDI, 52000 1 rear seat (J10193) £10,495 2004 RENAULT KANGOO 1.6 petrol, 15000 miles, auto, one rear saloon seat, two side doors ( J8240) £5,500
DRIVE-FROM WHEELCHAIR VEHICLES 2006 RENAULT MASTER 2.5DCi, 38000 miles, manual, 5 seats, full width lightweight ramp (J11602)
£8,750
2005SEDONA TOYOTA Auto, HI-ACE 2.5 diesel, miles.by 4 seats, (J11964) 2008 KIA 7000 miles, 58000 side access rampmanual. (J13897)
£6,500 £18,995
2008 MERCEDES SPRINTER Auto, 50000 miles, rear access (J13982)
£16,750
DRIVE-FROM WHEELCHAIR VEHICLES
2009 VW CARAVELLE COLORADO Auto, 10000 miles, low floor, side access by lift (J13983)
£23,995
2010 VW CARAVELLE COLORADO Low floor conversion, side lift, 9000 miles, (J11962)
£36,995
2009 MERCEDES SPRINTER 2.2TDi, 4 seats, remote operated tailgate and ramp (J11852)
£21,995
2008 RENAULT KANGOO 1.6 petrol, 3000 miles, auto, remote tailgate and ramp (J10670)
£14,995
Visit www.gmcoachwork.co.uk more vehicles 2007 RENAULT MASTER 2.5TDi, auto, 4 seats, remote rear door and Riconfor lift (J11653) £15,995 All used vehicles areare fully serviced and All used vehicles fully servicedwith withatatleast least99months months MOT MOT and come withwith a full mechanical and wheelchair come a full mechanical and wheelchairequipment equipment safety safety check check OVER 40 VEHICLES ININ STOCK OVER 40 VEHICLES STOCK- OPEN - OPEN66DAYS DAYSA A WEEK WEEK
£6,49- 5
E DRIV OM R F DOBLO
2007 FIAT 2009 MERCEDES 1.3 JTD SPRINTER Only 25000 miles, manual, full with ramp, lowered DRIVE-FROM floor,19000 one rear seat. 2.2HDI, miles, (J13708) remote rear lift, side door. Great value
Our stock is Our stock is changing all the changing all the time so if you time so if you can’t find what can’t find what you’re looking your looking for for give me a call. give me a call.
TELEPHONE 0845 0845 076 0963 TELEPHONE 076 0963 or visit www.gmcoachwork.co.uk or visit www.gmcoachwork.co.uk
08-09_FT 25th ANN.indd 8
27/03/2013 21:30
GM’S ANNIVERSARY
Y P P HAiversary! Ann
g ll going stron
ars on and sti Twenty five ye
T
his year marks GM’s 25th anniversary. From the humble beginnings in 1988 the family run business has enjoyed healthy growth year on year and continues to expand. GM Coachwork is very much a family business. Founder and CEO David Vooght has been head of the business since its origination. Back in 1988 David joined his father in law to form G&M Coachwork in a small rented premises at Dainton, near Newton Abbot. David siness. u b originally trained y l i A fam y, as an engineer a famil y b d e n with Westlland Ow family Helicopters at Yeovil un by a r followed by a career in growth stagnated sales and engineering. a few years ago As the business grew and something needed so did the need for a new site to be done to allow the and the business moved to their company to grow again. He bought current premises in the Teign Valley in on board Nigel Collins, an ex-helicopter the early nineties. engineer colleague, who was in Toulouse, France working for Airbus in “Since then, every year, we’ve grown international sales and manufacturing. and made a profit,” says Dave. “But Nigel brought with him new efficiencies above all that I’m very proud of the fact to GM’s production and soon the that we have such low staff turnover. In business was growing again. fact, some of the staff who joined us in the early days are still here.” “We were in need of some factory efficiencies,” said Dave. “The The growth GM has achieved each year transformation was remarkable, with hasn’t been easy. David admits that
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08-09_FT 25th ANN.indd 9
LEFT: Graham Vooght. RIGHT, David Vooght CEO
changes to the production process delivering massive time-per-unit savings. Good organisation and minimum waste is the key,” says Dave. “And we use intelligent engineering, which might mean reducing production time by a quarter but also ending up with a better product.” GM started off as a family business and still is today. Directors David and wife Linda own the business while Dave’s brother Martin works a few days a week and David’s university graduate son Graham, 27, works full time on the engineering side.
PROACTIVE Spring 2013 // 09
27/03/2013 21:31
FEATURE: Future of Motoring
Drive Assist New ideas are always being developed in the motoring industry. We look at what has already been achieved and what the next big ideas will be as well as the impact they’ll have on disabled people.
Tom Jamison
D
isability motoring and adaptations is in a strong position at the moment. Whether you have a minor disability or are a full time wheelchair user, there are a host of options that allow disabled people to stay on the road and retain that crucial tool towards independence. Adapted cars and Wheelchair Adapted Vehicles (WAVs) mean that disabled people do not have to give up their cherished driver’s licences. The emphasis has swung far more to what disabled people can do, rather than what they can’t. The big question, however, is ongoing: just what could disabled drivers achieve in the future and how is the motor industry preparing/innovating to make the things we imagine, real.
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Testing the market industry has come up with some of the finest Sometimes the innovations since the motor industry isn’t first car rolled out of so good at gauging the shed all those the strength, influence years ago. For one or likes and dislikes of thing there is much anything but its core less need of a horse demographic (the white, igners male des e to pull things than middle-aged and able -f ll a ’s Volvo there ever used to bodied bloke). An example be and the requirement for a man to walk of this inherent difficulty in front of vehicle with a red warning flag was unintentionally showcased at the is all but redundant since better braking 2004 Geneva International Motor Show technology was applied some time ago. when Volvo unveiled it’s newest concept car, designed by an all-female team of Seriously though, anyone older than 25 five senior managers and three chief will have seen incredible leaps in car tech designers. The motoring press had a riot since they passed their test. We now live reporting that the car did indeed come in a time when cars can seemingly judge complete with ‘ponytail holes’ in the distances and make calculations regarding headrests. moving objects. Parking sensors are fitted as standard to many of the saloon Despite the all but clunky approach cars we buy and features like blind spot/ of certain manufacturers, the motor
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02/04/2013 21:27
SAT NAV: easier than an OS map
Adapted cars and Wheelchair Adapted Vehicles (WAVs) mean that disabled people do not have to give up their cherished driver’s licences. lane departure warning technology feel so familiar and ordinary that we barely consider it modern anymore. Yet, these things must have saved lives, not to mention thousands of pounds worth of chip and scrape repairs.
In search of perfection We have hands free telephone kits so that we can natter on whilst driving (although not generally recommended). In fact, rewind a second; let’s just consider that for a moment. A phone without wires, whilst travelling really quickly between different signal towers – it’s a miracle. The little brother or sister (depending on voice selection) to that of course is the GPS or Sat Nav. Alright, she leads me into the occasional one way system by the wrong direction from time-to-time or doesn’t notice tiny things like new bridges and roundabouts but she’s got really nice manners and generally gets me to where I need to be. For all her faults, she’s less maintenance than trying to read and then refold an OS map.
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10-14_FT_Future Motoring.indd 11
Swipe under the tailgate to open the boot good news for wheelchair users
By the way, some cars even have TV screens in the back of headrests for the kids; assuming you haven’t swapped yours for a ‘ponytail hole’. Whilst some of this stuff has no business cluttering up our motor vehicles, much of it is a real boon for disabled people. The fact is that driving can be a very physical activity. Bending, craning and twisting to look over our own shoulder into the blind spot is a pain in the neck (literally). People with impaired trunk movement will certainly be grateful of the guidance of sensors and things like GPS can even be programmed to find blue badge parking spots – brilliant. One of the major motivations behind motor innovations is safety. If I was cynical I would have said ’because safe cars can be sold for more money’ but let’s stick with ‘because safe cars save lives’ for now.
A helping hand
for now, at least is taken care of by the human driver although some other lane departure warning systems can tell if you’re drifting over the line and can apply a hint of corrective steering. Another motivator, as always, is convenience and the dream of ‘robots’ doing the jobs we don’t like. BMW has suggested that within a couple of years the driver won’t even have to be in the car whilst it’s being parked, such is the relative simplicity of the manoeuvre to a computer. Actually, even as we speak BMW’s Park Assist system will monitor surroundings for a suitable place to park as you drive along. For the moment the sticking point is that legally a moving vehicle is the responsibility of the driver. This is likely to change as progress marches on. (Along similar convenience lines, I must mention one of my favourite recent innovations - the Ford Kuga’s boot sensor. By swiping under the tailgate the boot opens and closes – great news for wheelchair users that can’t reach the height of the boot door as it swings up and open.)
Skoda’s Citigo microcar already has a feature that can ‘sense’ the likelihood of a collision and apply the brakes. At present such systems are based on laser (radar) distance Skoda Cit using a igo calculate calculations. The sd laser to avoid c istances actual steering, ollision s
Another idea currently under development
PROACTIVE Spring 2013 // 11
02/04/2013 21:28
FEATURE: Future of Motoring
Audi A7 Drive assist by several companies (including General Motors, BMW, Daimler, Honda, Audi and Volvo) is Vehicular Communication Systems. These aren’t one to one communications between vehicles telling each other that they’re heading towards a collision but are linked via a network. Vehicles can read the positioning of other drivers (otherwise known as vehicleto-vehicle or V2V) but the other main feature of the system is that it is also likely to include some form of public information broadcast that tells vehicles about upcoming hazards, congestion or variable speed limits and the like. This is then relayed to the driver who can use his massive and not yet redundant brain to make an appropriate decision based on the facts.
Data collection This sort of technology is likely to mean fewer accidents and keep traffic moving more freely in built-up areas. The specific benefit for disabled people will be that information pertaining to say, availability of parking and so on is built into the system. There are also likely to be more commercial concerns here for insurance companies eager to monitor style and speed of driving. Again, the upside
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Cars will then relay information to the driver who can use his massive and not yet redundant brain to make an appropriate decision based on the facts. is that idiots that park in disabled spots could get automatically ‘shopped’ and fined by their own in-car system! Other safety innovations are also being trialled with a view to introducing them to motorists in the near future. The augmented driver dashboard is a bit like a private version of V2V where the car will warn of impending doom, again based on data gleaned from distances and speed. Whilst
car manufacturers may choose to produce their own versions, this kind of technology is likely to be available as an independent unit that will literally sit on the dashboard, like a Sat Nav. Camera technology as well as covering the outside of the car can also be trained inwardly, at the driver. Face detection cameras fitted with infra red led’s for when it’s dark can pick up subtle changes in facial expression and monitor the time when eyes are closed in order to alert the driver if they are overly tired and so on.
Action stations The bottom line with many of these ideas is to ‘alert driver’ and bring him or her back to his best by annoying him with a buzzer or bell long enough to drag them back out of their trance and look at the road in front of them. The (completely fictitious) award for the most Heath Robinson-like innovation surely goes to the ‘exterior airbag’. This isn’t as you might immediately imagine, inflated on or near impact as a buffer against a hard object (such as another vehicle) or even a soft object (such as a pedestrian – although bonnet airbags do exist). The airbag I refer to is stowed underneath the car
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02/04/2013 21:28
If driverless technology is the way forward it would open the possibility of driving to disabled people without the (physical) motor skills to operate the vehicle. and inflated in time to prevent wheel traction and therefore stop your vehicle before impact with whatever happens to be in the way. Essentially the future of motoring is leading in one distinct direction: self-driving vehicles. There is more than a little sense about this given that motor accidents are firmly inside the top ten most frequently occurring fatal events. If the motor industry has proven anything, it is that human beings just cannot be trusted to drive cars for themselves.
What the world is waiting for Fortunately the digital age has provided us with an early solution with the self-driving car. Google’s, Sebastian Thrun is currently developing a vehicle that runs with guidance from satellite technology and Google Maps data. As we speak, the trial cars have already been given licence to trial on public roads in California and have clocked
up an impressive 300,000 miles. There has been one accident though; one of the trial cars was rear-ended at a red traffic light – by an old fashioned, real life human driver. Whilst some drivers may not like the idea of being driven, others will no doubt recognise that their insurance fees might just go down. For disabled people, this is also something of a bright spot on the waking horizon. If a car doesn’t need a driver to drive it, the ‘driver’ could just sit there and not have to worry about anything. They could just tell the car where to go and make a few decisions along the way such as suggesting a preferred route or turning up the stereo. If driverless technology is the way forward it would open the possibility of driving to disabled people without the (physical) motor skills to operate the vehicle. The driving test might even become phased out.
Manual drive versus hard drive So, for the moment, we are still ‘drivers’ in the true sense of the word, with vehicles augmenting our skills and decisions instead of making them for us. Where we go from here and just how much control we vest into the ‘hard drives’ of our cars (fridges, washing machines, dishwashers and televisions) remains to be seen. On a more serious note – as if the future of Mankind and his control over the
Earth wasn’t sobering enough, we’ll also need to think about what kind of cars we’ll be driving in the future (assuming we still have a planet to drive around on). Alternative vehicle materials to make our cars lighter and more fuel efficient whilst providing ample safety, as well as the opportunities to explore new fuel types to save the world are also important points to debate. Sticking my neck on the line for a moment, I confidently predict a future without hover cars (which is a shame because vibration really isn’t good for the spine). Clearly, sustainable ideas regarding the way energy from clean sources such as electricity is used will require new thinking such as perhaps moving away from heavy batteries to inpanel power storage or even something as crazy-sounding as solar panels. The future of motoring, however it turns out, will be inextricably linked to human development. For the moment this plays into the hands of disabled people who will already realise that more people will inevitably find themselves in a situation whereby they become disabled through age. It is likely that people will be encouraged to drive as they get older (not to consider stopping as is currently the case) since it will aid independent living. Innovations, such as that which could see driverless vehicles on the streets within a few short years means that safety and convenience would be taken care of.
Google car: Sebastian Thrun and team
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10-14_FT_Future Motoring.indd 13
PROACTIVE Spring 2013 // 13
02/04/2013 21:28
GM RANGE
THE GM RANGE
Citroen Berlingo Blaze
Citroen Berlingo Duo
Wheelchair access vehicle Over 58 mpg Seats 4 plus wheelchair passenger
Drive-from wheelchair Optional rear two seat bench interchangeable driver and passenger seats
Peugeot Partner Blaze Auto 6 speed semi-automatic Over 58 mpg Fully automatic and paddle lever gearchange
Peugeot Expert Montana Seats seven plus one wheelchair
Volkswagen Colorado Drive from wheelchair
Side access
14 // PROACTIVE Spring 2013
14-15_FT_range & ad.indd 14
Peugeot Expert Flare Flat floor throughout Available as up-front passenger Choice of short or long wheelbase
Volkswagen Monterey Flagship of the WAV range
Volkswagen Nevada Drive from wheelchair
Rear access
Peugeot Boxer Utah Accommodates multiple wheelchairs
Volkswagen Vermont Drive from wheelchair
Rear access
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02/04/2013 22:10
Looking for spare conversion parts for your WAV?
There’s only one number you need‌ours! Call Mike or Jon on 01626 855055 Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm As a leading convertor of wheelchair access vehicles, we always hold a wealth of accessible conversion parts in stock, often for immediate delivery.
We have online catalogues you can browse to find the the part you need
Go to www.gmcoachwork.co.uk/parts 14-15_FT_range & ad.indd 15
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4
SEATS
YOU CAN IN A CANTO INTRODUCING THE NEW
VOLKSWAGEN CADDY CANTO wheelchair accessible vehicle from GM Coachwork
FEATURES Seats 5 plus wheelchair passenger Removable 3 seat bench Folding rear seats featuring 60:40 split Lowered floor and low angle ramp Diesel economy delivers 53.3 mpg
For more information or to arrange a home demonstration
STANDARD LAYOUT
REAR 60/40 SEATS
CALL 0845 0760962
www.gmcoachwork.co.uk 01_cover Canto A4New.indd advert.indd161
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