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UK Launch for World's Biggest Selling Electric Car
Added: (Fri Jun 04 2004)
NEWS RELEASE
First UK Launch for World’s Biggest Selling Electric Car
4 June 2004 - Europe and America’s biggest selling electric car is being launched for the first time in the UK at The Mobility Roadshow, Donington park near Derby on 17th, 18th, 19th June 2004.
Cost efficient to maintain at approximately half the price of running a petrol vehicle in the UK, the zero emission GEM is an ideal town car for anyone making short journeys and running errands. Visitors to the Roadshow can test drive this Eco-friendly vehicle, at the show with ZEV Ltd, as a passenger.
Manufacturer Daimler Chrysler is confident this town car’s features are also well targeted to the UK’s mobility market. Left hand drive ensures wheelchair users can exit directly on to the pavement or it can be parked tail to kerb. Doors can be fully removed for easy access, a purpose built wheelchair holder can be supplied and servicing and repairs are undertaken at the customer’s home. Local football matches and golf courses become easily accessible with the GEM’s ‘turf switch’.
Vicki Butler Henderson will be guest of honour at The Mobility Roadshow on the first day. She will tour the latest innovations designed to help people with a mobility problem to get around including a wide range of adapted cars from major motor manufacturers.
smart will exhibit the new forfour, fresh from the Motor Show. Two smart fortwo cabrios and a smart roadster BRABUS will be available for passenger test drives.
Many more major motor manufacturers will be present, offering test drives for either passengers or drivers whether people have a vehicle through the Motability scheme or as a private owner. Visitors wishing to take test drives simply need to complete a registration form on the day or in advance via the Roadshow website www.justmobility.co.uk/roadshow - and bring along their driving licence (full or provisional) to the show.
Mobility centre MAVIS will be featuring the new Portable Driver Reaction Meter (DRM) on their stand. Developed by SIBTEC Scientific the device can be fitted to most vehicles allowing a driving instructor or occupational therapist to assess driver strengths and reaction times accurately.
In addition to adaptation companies and motor manufacturers, some 150 additional exhibitors will be showing switching systems, hand controls, hoists, rotating car seats, ramps, seat clamps, wheelchair restraints, new scooters and wheelchairs.
A new infrared control switch from Techmobility will be exhibited for the first time in the UK. Already popular in France, the control has been designed to make driving easier for anyone who has the use of only one hand. Mounted onto the steering wheel the control provides all switches needed for safe driving, such as indicators, windscreen wipers and lights, within finger reach. See the control on the Ford, Vauxhall, Renault and Atlas Conversions’ stands.
London Recumbents, the recumbent cycle and trike specialists, will be announcing details of its Motability certification to offer its cycles with power to all those who qualify for the Scheme. Currently this applies to its Hoening Duet wheelchair tandem with a motor, but details are being finalised in the next few weeks and will be available for the first time at the Roadshow. The company believes this is the first time that motorised cycles have been available through Motability.
Open daily from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm. Entry and parking are free and wheelchair and scooter loans are available. With food court, crèche and entertainment for young and old, The Mobility Roadshow is a great day out for disabled people, their families and carers.
For more information call 0870 770 3222 or visit www.justmobility.co.uk/roadshow for latest news and exhibitor summaries.
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Editorial contact for more information and photography: Laura Duke or Rosemary Vaux, Mobility Roadshow press office at Ravenstone Public Relations
tel 020 8943 5343 fax 0870 164 0949 e-mail mobility@ravenstone-pr.demon.co.uk