Accessible car replenishment for one of the world's best-known car rental brands, AVIS; a total of 20 new VW Caddy 5 Maxi vehicles started their journey to AVIS rental stations throughout Germany last month. The vehicles are equipped with a rear entrance that allows a wheelchair to be taken along in the rear of the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle can also be operated by people with disabilities, for example a paraplegic who can still transfer and drive using the gas pedal and brake levers.
With the AVIS VW Caddy 5 Maxi, customers can not only drive or be transported, but they can also drive themselves under certain circumstances. Depending on the clinical picture, customers also have the option of renting the vehicle as a self-driver. All vehicles are equipped with an automatic gearbox, a rotating gas ring behind the steering wheel and a brake lever to operate the foot brake. The additional system can be completely deactivated at the touch of a button. "The vehicle is ideal for self-drivers with disabilities who can operate and move a steering wheel independently with their arms, for example for paraplegics and their families," says Thomas Minde, responsible for the rental and used vehicle business at PARAVAN. "It doesn't always have to or can't always be your own vehicle; in certain situations, a rental car suitable for the disabled can be used as an accident replacement vehicle, for example." Requests for more specialized mobility solutions can be covered directly by PARAVAN GmbH on request.
All vehicles are equipped with a PARAVAN aluminum folding ramp with a lowered floor in the rear of the vehicle. This means that a wheelchair user with an active or power wheelchair can travel without any problems. The wheelchair is secured with a universal wheelchair restraint system. No further adjustment is necessary for quick and flexible fastening. The passenger is strapped in using an integrated three-point belt, which is also provided in the vehicle. A seat height including wheelchair of up to 1.40 meters is possible. Customers can enter the vehicle with active or electric wheelchairs.
The barrier-free VW Caddy Maxi is equipped with a navigation system and the "Park Distance Control" parking aid. The wheelchair-accessible rental car offers enough space to comfortably transport a wheelchair user and five other people, making it particularly suitable for families.
AVIS Autovermietung and PARAVAN have been working together successfully for over 15 years. They made their first joint appearance at the REHAB trade fair in Karlsruhe back in 2007. Since 2010, the converted PARAVAN VW Caddy Maxi has been an integral part of the Avis fleet. The offer is aimed at both active and passive drivers. It is offered throughout Germany so that people with disabilities can also be mobile without any problems and receive a vehicle quickly and reliably. In this way, AVIS aims to create equal opportunities for self-determined mobility. PARAVAN GmbH has now converted over 300 vehicles for Avis.
They can be used in a variety of ways, whether for long-term rental as an alternative to buying a vehicle, as a rental car for business travelers with disabilities or as an interim solution until they receive their new or own vehicle, for trips to hospital, retirement or nursing homes or, for example, as an accident replacement with a vehicle suitable for the disabled. The vehicles can be booked at over 70 stations in Germany. Reservations can be made via the Avis website: www.avis.de/paravan
