SOUTH BEND — Joining AM General's Mobility Ventures business as executive vice president in January was a natural move for Pat Kemp.
With 30 years in the automotive industry, Kemp, who served as a brand manager for Cadillac, also spent time helping people with autism, inspired in part by his adult autistic son. Among other things, he served as executive vice president of marketing, communications and development for Autism Speaks Inc., New York, and led the effort to create housing and vocational opportunities for adults with autism with the Autism Alliance of Michigan Inc.
"I thought this was the perfect combination of my background and experience, plus my passion and my drive to help people with disabilities," Kemp said. "What a perfect opportunity when you had a vehicle that was best in class, that is 100 percent OEM (original equipment manufacturer) and meets all the safety standards."
Kemp foresees a very bright future for the MV-1, the only vehicle built from the ground up for people who use wheelchairs and the only one that meets or exceeds the guidelines of the Americans With Disabilities Act.
"I see double-digit growth for this for the future," said Kemp. "I see it growing in areas that frankly we haven't tapped yet because we are still growing relationships with the brand."
The MV-1 initially was developed by the Vehicle Production Group, which went into bankruptcy before the vehicle was purchased by AM General and relaunched in March 2014.