FR Conversions bets on rear-entry accessibility to resonate in retail market

WESTMINSTER, Md. – FR Conversions has expanded its footprint in the retail mobility market with certification from the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA), opening new distribution channels for its lineup of wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs).

Through NMEDA, mobility dealers can now access FR’s fleet – including its signature rear-entry WAVs – with the assurance that they meet the standards of the association’s Manufacturer Quality Assurance Program (MQAP).

“The market is looking for additional opportunities in the retail space, and most of what is offered is side entry,” said Matt Swope, vice president of retail mobility for FR Conversions, who joined the company in July 2024 after nearly a decade with BraunAbility.

Rear-entry WAVs: A better fit for most consumers?

Although 85% of WAV users are passengers, not drivers, 85% of WAVs on the market are side entry, Swope says – a mismatch he attributes to industry habits and production infrastructure.

“Side entry is a good option if you’re a driver, but it’s not needed if you’re not a driver,” he said. “But because the industry has scaled up and built factories for side entry, that’s what the industry standard has become.”

Lower cost, higher reliability

Swope emphasizes that rear-entry conversions offer several advantages for dealers and consumers. Rear-entry vehicles, he says, require less mechanical and electrical integration, resulting in lower cost and greater reliability.

“It’s just generally a less invasive conversion,” he said. “It’s a great option for a lot of dealers. There are only so many buyers for a new side-entry vehicle with a $90,000 or more price point.”

Making accessibility more affordable

FR Conversions also gains an edge with its Baltimore manufacturing plant, where it produces roughly 90% of its parts in-house. That capability gives the company more flexibility to convert 2017–2026 model-year chassis, provided they meet condition requirements.

“That’s a whole new price opportunity for dealers,” Swope said. “We can do a conversion of a chassis on a budget.”

Certifications strengthen credibility

Swope offers FR’s long track record in accessible emergency transport and urban taxi fleets as evidence of its durability standards. Along with MQAP certification, the company also holds:

• ISO 9001:2015 certification
• Federal Transit Administration approval as a Transit Vehicle Manufacturer (TVM)
• Ford Pro Upfitter accreditation

“These are vehicles that are built to extreme duty spec,” he said.