Clifton Perez - Comments

It was my impression that one of our most important employment goal is to maximize the manufacturing of goods within the United States, which would contribute to the employment of American workers? Considering the fact that the “Crown Victoria” vehicle is no longer being built and as such, the Taxi and Limousine industry are in need of a new vehicle to replace the defunct “Crown Victoria, there is no better time than now to support the inevitable “Paradigm Shift” in this industry toward Universally Designed – Wheelchair Accessible vehicles. It is inevitable for the private transportation industry to begin the purchase of Wheelchair Accessible vehicles. As such, we should take the initiative and provide financial incentives to American companies who manufacture in America utilizing American workers and better yet, an American Company that manufactures the only Universally Designed and Wheelchair Accessible vehicle, already exists. Today there is such a company—The Vehicle Production Group LLC (“VPG”)—currently manufactures minivans that comply with FTA’s Buy America requirements for minivans and minivan chassis. VPG markets, manufactures, and assembles the MV-1, the first mobility vehicle of its kind engineered and produced within the United States for wheelchair passenger accessibility. At a time when every U.S. based job counts, FTA’s lifting of the domestic content waiver will go a long way toward creating and preserving U.S. automotive jobs.