DETROIT — Toyota upped the ante in the minivan market on Monday at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show by rolling out an Auto Access Seat on its 2011 Sienna minivan that should make life easier for people with disabilities. The option will be available in February, but pricing has not been announced.
"It will be in the general neighborhood of what a mobility system would run," said Toyota spokesman Greg Thome, when contacted by phone by Inside Line. "But I can't make an educated guess as to what that would be."
The seat rotates to the outside of the vehicle and ascends and descends to load a passenger. The seat rotates 90 degrees and can be lowered to within 19 inches from the ground. It has a lift capacity of up to 330 pounds and has one-touch operation. The seat will be available on Sienna LE and XLE models.
Toyota described it as a "much-needed transportation solution for the caregivers of an elderly parent or spouse with a walking disability, a disabled veteran, or for the parents of a child with a disability."
Inside Line says: A perfect option, especially for aging Baby Boomers. But expect it to be fairly expensive. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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joeandsanh says:
01:19 AM, 12/20/2010
i wanted tobuy a 2011 toyota sienna with AAS chair, however can not find one or anyone know much about it. cn you help me to locate one?
jasonworthing says:
09:54 AM, 01/15/2010
Actually a very good idea, there is a true need out there for this type of solution for elder care...and that population with mobility/flexibility issues is getting large.
Alas...only caviat is as generous as 330LBS sounds (and it sounds plenty) that is at the upper most threshold of a few...ahem...large and mobility challenged folk I know that would love this solution. They are at an age and state of physical immobility that honestly they are not about to shed a much needed 60LBS anytime soon.
Not toyotas fault, steroid injected beef and it's lifelong over-consumption is the cause I suspect, but unfortunately now they have grown older, arthritic, multiple-sclorosis afflicted, etc and are big folk.
Well done Toyota, this will truly address an existing need out there right now!
colorado1974 says:
05:35 PM, 01/11/2010
I feel another recall coming along!
felonious says:
03:32 PM, 01/11/2010
Wow, imagine a child seat in that baby! It'd be so easy to get the little one strapped in! Expensive though. :)