Freedom Motors USA

Freedom Motors USA: Rear-Entry Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles

Freedom Motors USA is a family-owned company with its national headquarters in Battle Creek, Michigan, dedicated to converting and selling wheelchair accessible vehicles. It presents itself as a pioneer of the rear-entry market and as the only retail manufacturer specializing in accessible SUVs and vans with this type of entry. The company sells to customers in all 50 states.

Origins and History

The founder, Anthony van Dillen, imported the first rear-entry accessible vehicle from the Netherlands in 1985 and soon after began developing his own low-floor, efficient accessible minivan. In 1987, the first Kneelvan accessible vans rolled off the assembly line. The company notes that many of its employees have worked there since its early days, which, according to its own presentation, places it among the most experienced brands in the industry.

Vehicles and Conversion Options

The catalog covers SUVs, vans, minivans, crossovers and hybrid vehicles with accessible conversions, both rear-entry and side-entry. The company also offers conversion of the customer's own vehicle. Among the brands it handles are Buick, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Honda, Hyundai, Kia and Toyota. The website showcases notable conversions over the years, such as the 1988 Caravan, the 1995 Grand Caravan, the 2006 Element, the 2021 Sienna Hybrid and the 2022 Palisade.

Why Rear Entry

The company advocates rear entry over side entry for several practical and technical reasons. It notes that it allows parking anywhere, without depending on an oversized handicap parking space or getting blocked in. Unlike side-entry wheelchair accessible vans, its construction does not cut the main frame or the A/C and ABS lines, which preserves the vehicle's integrity. Nor do they lower the engine and transmission, raise the suspension 8 inches, or add steering wheel extenders, which, according to the company, results in a quieter and smoother drive.

Build Quality

Freedom Motors highlights three technical advantages of its vehicles. All moving parts are hydraulic, which the company considers more durable, reliable and maintenance-free, with the possibility of manually overriding the hydraulics; it also automates with a hydraulic lift gate at no cost on vehicles that are not automatic. Its ramps are the widest in the industry, at 48 inches, manufactured in-house and powder-coated, designed to support over 800 pounds. In vans, it offers nearly unlimited custom seating configurations, with dozens of materials and options depending on the wheelchair, to maximize passenger space.

Safety

Safety is presented as a central priority. The company states that it has never failed a crash test, that the fuel tank is located under the driver or passenger, that the main frames are not cut and maintain the original manufacturer's structural integrity, and that all of its construction advantages preserve OEM safety.

Commercial Solutions and NEMT

For business owners, Freedom Motors offers accessible vans intended for non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) and commercial use, which it describes as the most flexible and advanced in the industry, with 48-inch ramps and seating configurations for any scenario. The ramps are corrosion-resistant, made of structural-grade aluminum with powder-coated shells. The company also mentions an open-sourced service that allows you to go to a trusted local mechanic or find one while traveling.

Customer Service and Financing

The company offers assistance through mobility experts, contact forms and requests for live virtual vehicle tours. It has financing options with approved credit; according to published information, the monthly payments shown are estimates based on a 120-month term, a 6.49% interest rate and a 20% down payment, subject to change and credit approval.

Location and Contact

740 Watkins Rd, Battle Creek, MI 49015 · Phone: (866) 577-0794 · Email: info@freedommotors.com · Hours: Mon - Fri : 9am-6pm EST