Chris W Posted May 15, 2013 Report Share Posted May 15, 2013 The makers of the MV-1, Vehicle Production Group, have shut down production due to high costs. It's a shame. I was really hoping this company would do well in the paratransit/dial-a-ride/accessible taxi market. http://www.autoblog.com/2013/05/08/vpg-autos-ceases-operations Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bus_Medic Posted May 15, 2013 Report Share Posted May 15, 2013 So go's couple will be orphans. Oh well. Looks like they cobbled together off the shelf components anyway. I always thought the resemblance to the Honda element ( I own one) was uncanny. Evidently they can be made accessible fairly easily as well. Pity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
* Mr. Black * Posted May 15, 2013 Report Share Posted May 15, 2013 I was always curious to what GO was using them for....... I always wanted to pimp one out and use as a personal vehicle!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris W Posted May 15, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2013 I'm surprised this failed. It got high grades from everybody, including Jay Leno, who featured it on his Jay's Garage segment. Apparently AM General wants to buy VPG, but it would be a conflict of interest if they did. Now Bus_Medic, do you know how many GO Transit has? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Articulated Posted May 15, 2013 Report Share Posted May 15, 2013 That's a shame, I was optimistic that they would do well in the market with a more purpose-built vehicle as compared to something like a modified Grand Caravan. That being said, their market was rather limited if they're only producing small paratransit vehicles, so it's unfortunately not too surprising to see them go under rather quickly. I think GO has 3 units, in the 13-72xx numbering series (which is usually reserved for support vehicles). There's also two Grand Caravans accompanying the MV-1 fleet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris W Posted May 15, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 15, 2013 Reading further into this, apparently there were 2300 MV-1s back ordered, which was rumoured to include some for GO Transit and Burlington Transit among others. The federal loan was actually taken away due to the Fisker scandal, in which Fisker (makers of the Karma) couldn't pay back the loan and were in the red. VPG actually wasn't in the red, unlike Fisker or Coda (two Electric car makers). The Department Of Energy loaned VPG $50 million to produce these MV-1s, then VPG recieved $400 million from outside sources, like Ford and Roush Performance. I find it interesting that they compared the MV-1 to the failures of Fisker and Coda. Unlike them, there is still some interest in buying the assets to the MV-1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAX BRT Posted May 15, 2013 Report Share Posted May 15, 2013 Reading further into this, apparently there were 2300 MV-1s back ordered, which was rumoured to include some for GO Transit and Burlington Transit among others. The federal loan was actually taken away due to the Fisker scandal, in which Fisker (makers of the Karma) couldn't pay back the loan and were in the red. VPG actually wasn't in the red, unlike Fisker or Coda (two Electric car makers). The Department Of Energy loaned VPG $50 million to produce these MV-1s, then VPG recieved $400 million from outside sources, like Ford and Roush Performance. I find it interesting that they compared the MV-1 to the failures of Fisker and Coda. Unlike them, there is still some interest in buying the assets to the MV-1. If the product is useful and as unique as it seemed to be, I hope someone buys the assets and re-starts production. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheAverageJoe Posted May 16, 2013 Report Share Posted May 16, 2013 I always wanted to pimp one out and use as a personal vehicle!! Pretty sure you could order one as I seen a black personal one in Scarborough a few months ago. Im sure it was a demo from a dealer though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flalex72 Posted May 18, 2013 Report Share Posted May 18, 2013 There is a privately owned white one in North Bay. Not a demo, they were for sale to the public if you could find a dealer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leylandvictory2 Posted May 20, 2013 Report Share Posted May 20, 2013 it will be painful to find parts for these vehicles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris W Posted May 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted May 20, 2013 it will be painful to find parts for these vehicles. Not so. AM General will still be providing parts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheAverageJoe Posted May 21, 2013 Report Share Posted May 21, 2013 Not so. AM General will still be providing parts. Just expensive and time consuming Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris W Posted September 6, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2013 So apparently the MV-1 has risen like a phoenix from the ashes. AM General has agreed to own and control VPG. They're BACK!!! http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/am-general-announces-agreement-leading-to-ownership-and-control-of-the-vehicle-production-group-222568591.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAX BRT Posted September 6, 2013 Report Share Posted September 6, 2013 Lots of interesting transit news today! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Board Admin A. Wong Posted September 6, 2013 Board Admin Report Share Posted September 6, 2013 No wonder I saw one recently... http://www.mv1ofedmonton.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michel Posted September 6, 2013 Report Share Posted September 6, 2013 There's a couple of these running in the Ottawa area. I had a difficult time finding this company on Google after searching for the name on the badges. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2822 Posted September 7, 2013 Report Share Posted September 7, 2013 I believe Burlington Transit has one of these on Order, It may be on property already.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris W Posted September 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 7, 2013 It apparently has been in Burlington for two months now. It's apparently in service as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheAverageJoe Posted September 30, 2013 Report Share Posted September 30, 2013 Last week seen one either owned by Crown taxi or used by one of its brokers for a TTC Wheel Trans contract. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flalex72 Posted September 30, 2013 Report Share Posted September 30, 2013 I rode in one of these with West-Way Taxi in Ottawa last night. I was going to walk but one pulled in just as I got there so I took the $5 ride home to try it. Inside it seems like a great cab, with or without a wheelchair passenger. Lots of space for luggage, and although it only seats 4 (3 across and a jump seat behind the driver) it would be easy to add another jump seat or even two. I'm glad I got to ride in one and I'm glad they're not dead. I rode in one of these with West-Way Taxi in Ottawa last night. I was going to walk but one pulled in just as I got there so I took the $5 ride home to try it. Inside it seems like a great cab, with or without a wheelchair passenger. Lots of space for luggage, and although it only seats 4 (3 across and a jump seat behind the driver) it would be easy to add another jump seat or even two. I'm glad I got to ride in one and I'm glad they're not dead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bus_Medic Posted October 2, 2013 Report Share Posted October 2, 2013 Almost like a London cab, or a checker. With wheelchair access. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michel Posted October 6, 2013 Report Share Posted October 6, 2013 A couple of these MV-1's are running for West Way taxi in Ottawa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aemoreira81 Posted October 12, 2013 Report Share Posted October 12, 2013 A bit of older news...but the MV-1 is going to be available again, Its contract manufacturer, AM General, acquired VPG's assets back in September. http://www.autonews.com/article/20130905/OEM01/130909918/am-general-to-acquire-vehicle-production-group#axzz2hXGA9ahe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris W Posted October 14, 2013 Author Report Share Posted October 14, 2013 Can an admin please change the name of this thread to Vehicle Production Group discussion? I ask this since VPG has in fact reopened its doors. I can give updates as MV-1 Canada actually follows me on Twitter. I can inquire as to which properties will be receiving MV-1s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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