VMI Overcomes Key Obstacles with their New Summit Fold-Out Ramp

 


Phoenix, AZ – May 2009 – VMI has announced it has begun sales of their Summit fold-out

ramp on the 2008-2009 Chrysler/Dodge minivans. VMI has passed all state and federal

requirements for safety and emissions and has been producing the new Summit conversion

since April, 2009. VMI has been modifying the Chrysler/Dodge line of minivans since 1987

and it has been the mainstay of their product line.

The new Summit conversion for Chrysler/Dodge minivans offers all of the same outstanding

vehicle modifications as the Northstar in-floor conversion, but with a fold-out ramp system.

The Chrysler/Dodge Summit ramp design was leveraged from VMI’s ultra-reliable Honda

Summit conversion, but with key adaptations and feature improvements.

The biggest obstacle was the passenger side sliding door handle, which sits lower in the

vehicle than in previous Chrysler/Dodge minivans. By shortening the ramp 6 inches, VMI

now offers unobstructed access to the passenger side interior sliding door handle. This

shorter ramp also allows greater maneuverability in tight parking spaces, while also

maintaining a ramp angle under 10°. VMI also moved the deploy/stow chain to the outside

of the ramp side-rail to prevent possible interference with wheelchairs and providing more

usable ramp area.

“The Summit has a long and rich history as a reliable fold-out ramp system,” said Doug

Eaton, President and CEO of VMI. “This new version, available on the Chrysler/Dodge

platform, is well engineered, and may be our best effort yet. The combination of the short

ramp length, access to the door handle and generous interior maneuvering room

differentiates the Summit conversion in this ultra competitive sector.”

This side-entry wheelchair accessible minivan incorporates an 11” lowered floor increasing

head room with limited deterioration in ground clearance. It has tremendously improved the

door opening height to 54 inches. Recent market research indicates that 40% of our
customer’s in chair height exceeds 53 inches. The lowered floor area has 250 more square

inches than previous conversions, improving interior wheelchair maneuverability.

Other standard features on the Chrysler/Dodge with the VMI Summit conversion include a

fully powered fold-out ramp that has a smooth and precise operation. The PowerKneel™

system automatically and gently lowers the vehicle to decrease ramp incline and increase

accessibility, which is just under 10°.

VMI is currently producing 2008 and 2009 models and accepts new and used chassis for

conversion. The first 2008-2009 Chrysler/Dodge with the VMI Summit conversions began

shipping with limited availability to mobility dealers nationwide on April 27th, 2009.

For media information regarding VMI vehicle availability on the Summit Conversion, contact:

Monique McGivney, VMI Marketing Manager (602) 304-3273 or

MoniqueM@VantageMobility.com