Sirens of Chrome

by Ian Minicuci, Product Specialist, VPG

For those of you that do not know me my name is Ian Minicuci. I am currently employed as a Product Specialist for VPG Autos, makers of the VERY COOL MV-1. When not working for VPG I am employed as a Product Specialist for GM and have been since 2003. When not doing either of those I �dabble� in the acting world, which brings me to the point (yes, finally) of this blog. The president of the company I contract for with General Motors to do the �autoshow circuit� is the author of a book called Sirens of Chrome. This book has been turned into "a docudrama-styled motion picture that focuses on how the ingenious pairing of beautiful women and cars has influenced five generations of global fashion, commerce, romance and status." (Executive Producer Margery Krevsky, Producer/Director John P. Lauri)

Now, I can hear some of you saying, �Ian, what do you have to do with beautiful women?" The answer - I work with them, as a Product Specialist, and if you recall, I �dabble� in acting. More importantly, like the old saying goes, �it�s not what you know but who you know that counts� and I know the director. This is how I was able to secure VPG and the MV-1  a part in this film.

Saturday, January 19th, was the opening of the NAIAS here in Detroit and after speaking with the director about VPG and the MV-1 he was very interested in filming myself and, more importantly, the MV-1. Knowing this, I spoke with Leo Darocha from VPG and he was able to secure the MV-1  for us to use for filming. On Saturday (with the help of Jerod Chockley), I met with John P. Lauri at Cobo Hall in Detroit where he filmed me �working the floor� as a Product Specialist and then we had the ability (thank you Jerod) to film the MV-1 on the streets of Detroit.

All in all, a great day to bring awareness to VPG and the MV-1. Happy Motoring!

Learn more about the MV-1 by visiting VPG's website at www.vpgautos.com. You can also connect with our virtual community on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn and Google+. Also, follow Ian on IMDB! Thanks for reading!

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Freedom and independence, thanks to the MV-1

by Kristina Rhoades, Manager of Social Media, VPG

Yesterday was a big day for me. I accomplished something that most people do all the time � without even thinking � but to me, it�s a pretty big deal. Yesterday, my 13-month-old daughter and I ventured out of the house on our own for the very first time. And I�m still smiling from ear to ear.

For ten years, before I got pregnant, I drove a little pickup truck with flames on it. It was really cool, with a great stereo system and some other custom upgrades. With hand controls and a lift that hoisted my wheelchair into the bed of the truck, it was pretty much a symbol of my independence. When I got pregnant, however, it was clear that my little truck (or anything like it) wasn�t going to work for me anymore. So, over the last year and half plus, we�ve been searching for something that would allow me to keep my independence � with a baby.

Being a car enthusiast, I wasn�t thrilled about the fact that just about my only option was minivan. And I was disappointed to discover that after finally finding a converted vehicle that we thought would work, I wasn�t actually able to transport Kamryn alone. I remember feeling my heart sink when we realized that I couldn�t do it. So, for the first 13 and a half months of my baby girl�s life, we never went out on our own. I hated it. Luckily today, because of the MV-1, I�m singing a different tune.

I was unbelievably excited when my MV-1 arrived to our home last week. I left the house on my own for the first time in a while to do some Christmas shopping. And yesterday, with my husband standing back in case I needed a hand, Kamryn and I loaded up on our own. She was much bigger than the first time we tried an MV-1 together, so I wasn�t exactly sure how I was going to do everything.

To my delight, I was able to easily wheel up the long ramp with her in my lap. I just tied a scarf around our waists to keep Kamryn from sliding off. She�s still in a rear-facing car seat, so upon getting into the vehicle, I thought it would be best to put her in the backseat, transfer out of my chair next to her, then put her in her car seat. That also worked great and before I knew it, we were off!

When I got to my destination, I discovered I was able to unbuckle her from behind and lift her right out, while staying in my wheelchair. I realized I could do the same thing when putting her back in, which saved me a step! I used the short ramp and popped a wheelie when I exited the vehicle and it all worked perfectly! And I can only imagine that I was beaming when I wheeled into the restaurant to meet my mom and grandpa with my little girl in my lap � all ALONE! I will never, ever forget the feeling of accomplishment and relief that I felt. Now, there's nothing I can't do as a Mommy!

I must also mention the awesome new hand controls that are on my MV-1. They are made by a company called Kempf and are digitally-integrated into the vehicle. With an accelerator ring on the steering wheel, they look stock and give me more control than I�ve ever had before. I love them already and I�m really appreciative of the people at Kempf for putting them in.

Since joining VPG in April of 2012, I have grown to really believe in the MV-1. I love that it not only gives me independence with my daughter, but that it is also the safest option out there because it is purpose-built. Couple that with what I think is a really cool look and the fact that the MV-1 is made in America, and my previous expectations of what an accessible vehicle could be have been completely blown out of the water.

In closing, I want to recognize and give my sincere thanks to the innovative and creative people at VPG that brought the MV-1 to life - and continue to work hard everyday to improve it and get the word out. I�ve said it before and I�ll say it again, the MV-1 changes both the mobility and automotive industries and I�m so thrilled to be a part of it. If people think I was passionate about this vehicle before, now it hits me on a whole new level. The MV-1 changes lives - and now I know that from personal experience.

These photos were real-time and shot with an iPhone. We'll take some better photos of the whole process and share them via social media. So, don't forget to connect with VPG on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest. To learn more about VPG or the MV-1, and to find a dealer near you, visit www.vpgautos.com. Happy New Year!

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A busy November

by Kristina Rhoades

There are so many exciting things going on for VPG and the MV-1! And with the end of the year drawing close, we�ve been busy! November was a productive month, with several events that happened to be close to my heart.

In early November, my husband Jacob (who also does contract work for VPG) and I had the opportunity to attend a small, but heartfelt, fundraiser for Shepherd Center with our CEO, John Walsh. For those that aren�t from the Atlanta area, or don�t have a spinal cord injury, Shepherds is an extraordinary hospital specializing in the treatment, care and rehab of spinal cord injury and other similar conditions.  The fundraiser was put on by a group of Georgia State students, one of which had a close friend who had suffered a spinal cord injury and done rehab at Shepherds. We showed the MV-1 to the college students � who always seem to appreciate innovation.  They did a great job and were able to exceed their fundraising goal for the hospital.

Later in the month, my family and I traveled to northern California for some business, but also got to spend Thanksgiving with family and see some great friends. We started in San Jose, where we joined some of the VPG team for the last Abilities Expo of 2012. Leo, Ian, Lori (one of our newest team members), Jacob and I worked with our regional sales manager and local dealers to educate attendees about the MV-1. As always, it was a pleasure reconnecting with old friends, making new ones and taking in all the positive energy that Abilities Expo creates. I say this time and time again, but the disability community that comes together for these shows is a group that I�m proud to be a part of. I continue to be inspired and motivated by each interaction.

Our next stop was Sacramento, where my husband, one-year-old daughter and I enjoyed the week in our old stomping grounds, surrounded by family. While we were there, we visited my childhood hospital, Shriners of Northern California, to show the MV-1. I was honored to return to a place that had such a positive impact on my life in so many ways. The last time I had been there was in 2005, when I was Ms. Wheelchair California, but memories of my many days there as a patient flooded back as we took a tour. I even saw some therapists and a nurse that were there with me, over 15 years ago. I was really proud to be able to share with them about the MV-1 and they seemed to loved it.

After our visit to Shriners, we stopped by the local MV-1 dealer, Destinations Mobility. They�re unique because they are the only one of our dealers that is a non-profit organization. We were greeted by the division manager, Richard Rosebush, and the CEO of their parent company, Linda Deavens. They gave us a tour and shared the story of their innovative organization. They really know transportation, as Paratransit Inc. has been a leading provider for accessible public transit in the Sacramento area for many years. Now, with Destinations Mobility, they are continuing to service the disability community by selling affordable accessible vehicles, including the MV-1.

When we returned to Georgia, our focus was back on Shepherd Center, as we visited the hospital to present an MV-1 for their exclusive use. Together with our CEO John Walsh, we were greeted by some of Shepherd Center�s executive team, including CEO Gary Ulicny, VP Scott Sikes and even Founder and Chairman, James Shepherd, himself.  Shepherd Center makes a difference in the lives of so many, and we know that the MV-1 can help support the great work they do! We hope staff and patients alike enjoy their new ride!

With each passing day, we're educating more and more people about the MV-1. Everywhere we go, people want to know what it is. I'll never tire of getting flagged over on the road to be asked what we're driving, or the look of appreciation I see from a wheelchair user when they realize it's actually purpose-built, or the glimmer of pride I feel from some as I explain that our vehicle is made in America. The MV-1 is changing the way the world looks at mobility and I'm so excited to be a part of it!

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