Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[AM General to build VPG MV-1 people-mover at Hummer H2 factory]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/21/am-general-to-build-vpg-mv-1-people-mover-at-hummer-h2-factory/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/21/am-general-to-build-vpg-mv-1-people-mover-at-hummer-h2-factory/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/21/am-general-to-build-vpg-mv-1-people-mover-at-hummer-h2-factory/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Vehicle Production Group MV-1 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Remember the Standard Taxi from the Vehicle Production Group? It's now called the MV-1, and production is slated to begin next year at the AM General plant in Mishawaka, Indiana. That's the same assembly location where the Hummer H2 is built, which makes sense since the MV-1 is based on the same GM underpinnings as the behemoth SUV.

According to its makers, the MV-1 is the first purpose-built wheelchair-accessible vehicle in America, and it's able to accommodate up to six adults or two full-size wheelchairs. An ADA-approved ramp that stows under the vehicle's floor and a 36-inch wide side opening are designed to make entry and exit a simple affair.

With its body-on-frame construction made with fully boxed rails, the MV-1 should prove to be a durable people mover and its well-known GM drivetrain components should also be easily serviceable. Further, VPG has teamed up with Clean Energy to develop a dedicated compressed natural gas powertrain option that will provide a 250-mile range with significantly reduced emissions.

Styling wise, the MV-1 may not be the prettiest machine on the road, but for those needing to transport wheelchair-bound passengers, this design may just be a thing of beauty. See for yourself in our high-res image gallery below.


Gallery: Vehicle Production Group MV-1


[Source: VPG Autos, Detroit Free Press]

AM General to build VPG MV-1 people-mover at Hummer H2 factory originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cng taxiCngTaxicompressed natural gasCompressedNaturalGasgeneral motorsGeneralMotorsgmh2hummerhummer h2HummerH2mv-1standard taxiStandardTaxivehicle production groupvehicle production group mv-1VehicleProductionGroupVehicleProductionGroupMv-1vpgwheelchairwheelchair accessiblewheelchair accessible carwheelchair accessible taxiWheelchairAccessWheelchairAccessibleWheelchairAccessibleCarWheelchairAccessibleTaxiWed, 21 Oct 2009 13:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Spy Shots: AM General-built taxi cab gets restyled before production]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/17/spy-shots-am-general-built-taxi-cab-gets-restyled-before-produc/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/17/spy-shots-am-general-built-taxi-cab-gets-restyled-before-produc/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/17/spy-shots-am-general-built-taxi-cab-gets-restyled-before-produc/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

In an oddly compelling little piece of timing, two new American companies are working on taxi designs just after Checker Motors, the most famous of all bespoke taxicab companies, has filed for bankruptcy. We've seen the Standard Taxi before, but it has apparently been restyled a bit after cab owners complained about the initial concept's dowdy appearance. It's a slight improvement by the looks of things, though we certainly wouldn't call the machine attractive.

It's what's under the skin that counts, though, and the Standard Taxi looks to implement a number of features that should improve the lives of both its driver and passengers. Like the MetroKing concept that we looked at a couple of months back, this vehicle is based on running gear from General Motors and features a low load floor and easy wheelchair access along with easily replaceable body panels. Production of the Standard Taxi is scheduled for 2010 at AM General's assembly plant in Mishawaka, Indiana.

[Source: Auto Express]

Spy Shots: AM General-built taxi cab gets restyled before production originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Mar 2009 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>am generalam general taxiAmGeneralAmGeneralTaxistandard taxiStandardTaxitaxitaxi cabTaxiCabTue, 17 Mar 2009 09:58:00 EST<![CDATA[AM General to produce Standard Taxi cabs?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/14/am-general-to-produce-standard-taxi-cabs/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/14/am-general-to-produce-standard-taxi-cabs/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/14/am-general-to-produce-standard-taxi-cabs/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Standard taxi

It sure ain't pretty, though beauty, in this case, is likely in the eye of the beholder. A few years back, a new take on the taxi was provided by Standard Taxi, a company based in Troy, Michigan. The design for the purpose-built people hauler uses GM running gear and is able to haul four passengers in relative comfort. We hadn't heard a peep from the company until today when we learned that Standard is now working on negotiations with AM General to build the vehicle in its plant in Mishawaka, Indiana, where AM General builds the Hummer H2 SUV and SUT. So far, no announcements have been made regarding whether or not the plant would continue working full-time in the face of lagging Hummer sales, though we imagine that plenty of excess capacity is available. According to AM General, the deal would in no way impact the assembly of military Hummer models.

We can't say whether a production version of the Standard Taxi would feature the pushrod 4.3-liter V6 that the concept had underhood, though there are plenty of options from the GM parts-bin from which to pilfer. A Standard Taxi equipped with GM's 2-Mode hybrid system could prove to be extremely well-suited for taxi duty in some of the world's toughest environments.

[Source: Hummer Guy]

AM General to produce Standard Taxi cabs? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>am generalam general humveeam general productionAmGeneralAmGeneralHumveeAmGeneralProductionhummerhummer h2HummerH2mishawakamishawaka indianaMishawakaIndianastandard taxiStandardTaxitaxitaxi cabtaxi cabsTaxiCabTaxiCabstaxisMon, 14 Jul 2008 19:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Standard Taxi: Purpose-built cab for North America]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/21/standard-taxi-purpose-built-cab-for-north-america/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/21/standard-taxi-purpose-built-cab-for-north-america/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/21/standard-taxi-purpose-built-cab-for-north-america/#commentsFiled under: ,

Standard taxi


When we think of purpose-built taxis, only one brand comes to mind: LTI Limited, producers of the iconic London taxi. Their latest edition, the TXII, is highly versatile, offering features like a ramp for easy wheelchair access. In America, taxis are usually mid- to full-size sedans, though some large urban markets like New York City have seen a sprinkling of other vehicles such as SUVs and minivans enter their fleets.

Enter Standard Taxi, a Troy, Michigan-based outfit who is looking to do for the US what LTI has done in the UK: create a highly recognizable and enormously practical taxi specialized for North American use.

The recognizable part won't be an issue. The Standard Taxi looks like a compact armored car, with a tall, pedestrian-friendly nose, high roof, and a stubby rear that houses 26.7 cu. ft. of luggage space. Interior volume is 139 cu. ft. - on par with the Crown Vics passengers usually flag down when they need a ride. Unlike the venerable Crown Vic, however, the Standard Taxi seats four in the passenger compartment, something that hasn't been seen in a a reguler car-style taxi since the classic Checker cabs with their pair of jumpseats against the divider. The Standard Taxi accomplishes this by sealing off the driver's seat in it's own little box, opening up the rest of the car.

Follow the jump for more info on and photos of this proposed people mover.

Thanks for tip, Mark!

[Source: Standard Taxi]

Continue reading Standard Taxi: Purpose-built cab for North America

Standard Taxi: Purpose-built cab for North America originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 Sep 2006 11:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>american taxiAmericanTaxicool new taxicool standard taxiCoolNewTaxiCoolStandardTaxipurpose-built taxiPurpose-builtTaxirevolutionary taxiRevolutionaryTaxistandard taxistandard taxi for north americaStandard taxi for uSStandardTaxiStandardTaxiForNorthAmericaStandardTaxiForUstaxithe future of taxisTheFutureOfTaxistroy, mitroy, michiganTroy,MiTroy,Michiganwheelchair accessWheelchairAccessThu, 21 Sep 2006 11:43:00 EST