Independent Mobility Systems and Toyota

Introduce the 2004 Sienna Rampvan

Earlier this month, at the 2003 North American International Auto Show, Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. (TMS) and Independent Mobility Systems, Inc. (IMS) announced their collaboration on the 2004 Sienna Rampvan, the first Toyota vehicle created for Americans with mobility impairments.

At the Detroit exposition, a prototype of the converted 2004 Sienna was displayed alongside the stock version of the vehicle. A model in a wheelchair demonstrated the Sienna Rampvan's automatic in-floor ramp, its automatic passenger sliding door, and the vehicle's "power kneel" system, which compresses the suspension while extending the ramp to create a more gentle angle for entrance and egress.

According to Greg Anesi, president and founder of IMS, Toyota approached the New Mexico-based company in mid-2001 about collaborating on a wheelchair-accessible minivan.

"We were very flattered to be Toyota's partner of choice for this exciting project," said Anesi. "Toyota has long been at the top of our list of companies we'd like to work with." Though Toyota is the number one manufacturer of mobility vehicles in Japan, they had not yet launched a product in the US market.

IMS engineers spent over a year evaluating designs, making modifications, and eventually coming up with the final conversion. Meanwhile, executives from both companies worked in concert to ensure that their customers will have the best possible experience in sales, service, and overall satisfaction.

The redesigned Sienna minivan will be manufactured in a new production line at the Toyota plant in Princeton, IN. Vans slated for the accessibility market will be converted at the IMS plant in Farmington, NM, then distributed through IMS's national network of mobility vehicle dealers.

Bob Swaim, who heads Toyota Mobility, says that TMS hand-picked IMS from a close field of competitors. The decision to forge a partnership with IMS hinged on both companies' commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. "Toyota is very pleased to be working with IMS to produce the first wheelchair-accessible Toyota vehicle," said Swaim. "We see this as a significant opportunity, both for Toyota and our customers, and will be closely watching the process as the product rolls out."

This is the first time a major auto manufacturer has introduced a new mobility vehicle at the same time it announced its mainstream counterpart. The 2004 Sienna Rampvan will be introduced in June 2003 in selected markets. Nationwide availability is expected by June 2004. Pricing for the Sienna Rampvan will be announced in June 2003.