GM Mobility Motoring
GM supports mobility with cash, features and technical assistance.
General Motor's Mobility Motoring program offers cash assistance, a range of adaptive equipment, dealerships qualified to install it, and the Sit-n-Lift power seat.
National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association February 2007 Conference
At the February 2007 annual conference of the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA), four OEM (original equipment manufacturers) companies gave presentations about their vehicles. The GM presentation slide show is availabled from the NMEDA website.
Presentation by GM Mobility
GM, like Ford, offers cash assistance to purchase adaptive equipment on vehicles. The terms and conditions for this offer in the USA are on the GM Mobility website.
One of GM's points was, "We want to expand OnStar services for mobility customers". They were asking for feedback from the dealers at the NMEDA conference.
Sit-n-Lift Seats
A unique invention from GM, available since 2003, is the Sit-n-Lift seat. Installed as an option on some models of vans, this is a power-operated bucket seat in the second row of seats. Using a remote control, the seat can be made to swivel, extend out the open side door of the van, and lower itself to the ground. This enables a person with limited mobility to enter and exit the vehicle without needing someone to lift them.
The Sit-n-Lift seat only operates when the vehicle is in Park and the door is open.
The $1,000 cash assistance is not available to purchase this feature.
OnStar Service
The GM OnStar service for one year is included with new vehicle purchases. Mobility customers may qualify for an additional two years at no extra charge. The GM Mobility website has the fine print for this offer.
OnStar includes roadside assistance and other communication features.
New vehicles with OnStar are going to have enhanced TTY services to help customers who are hard of hearing, deaf or have speech impairments. The OnStar TTY service is expected to cost a small amount more than basic OnStar.
More Reading about Mobility Motoring
If you would like to learn more about the Ford Mobility Motoring program, please see Ford Mobility Motoring.
If you are interested in renting before you buy, Wheelchair Accessible Van Rentals has some leads.
