The standard vehicle designs sometimes do not meet the entire market’s needs and functionalities that create an opportunity for design modification and conversions.
However, there is very little information about such companies that handle the design modifications and conversions in a highly technical and professional manner in accordance with the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) standards and materials.
The design modifications I am referring to are quite different from the usual performance upgrades, aftermarket wheels, body kits or the spoilers.
So today my interests are to exchange some insights on the modifications of the vehicles mostly on the specialized type of cars which includes;
Safari game drive vehicles
These are specially modified vehicles that carry tourists during the game drives, which are redesigned to meet the various needs of different size of safari companies.
There are several types of such designs as you may have experienced during your visits that includes;
n Policarbonated sides conversions – mostly used by tour operators travelling longer distances
n Sectional cab cut-out conversions – these are very popular and more affordable option and still allows communication with guests by the driver/tour guide
n No cab conversion – the vehicle cab remains intact
n Fold down windscreen conversion with roll-over compliant high frame – these conversions are mostly used in sanparks using passenger carrying vehicles such as minibuses and microbuses
n Fold down windscreen cConversion with low frame and removable roof – these conversions are normally used by private game farms and not allowed in sanparks as it is not roll-over conversion
Our country is big on tourism based on the 11 national parks that we have across the country.
So the demand for these modifications and conversions is very high to handle the game drives that matches international standards.
Essentially we need these modifications to make it easier for the tourist to view the animals while seated comfortably and without the risk of being attacked by the animals or the modifications making noise or creating some discomfort.
It is common sense that we have to upscale our standards in order to make it reasonable to charge more by offering the right modified game drive vehicles that matches the class of customers from VIP, middle class and the lower market.
Ambulances
Ambulances are specialised redesigned vehicles that carry patients who must be rushed to a hospital for medical attention while being treated as the vehicle is moving or are a mobile hospital which can go to the patient’s location and provide adequate medical assistance.
The vehicles are bought as a normal van or station Wagon or microbus and then undergo the modification and conversion process that sometimes takes three to four months to complete.
So ideally what l am saying is that you cannot go and purchase an already made ambulance because the equipment inside depends with a specific purpose.
Of course it is possible to buy some good used mostly from Japan and Australia which are units being disposed by companies previously owned them as brand new.
There are different types of Ambulances such as;
n Basic ambulance – Basic life support ambulance is the most common type of emergency service and is typically the first responder in these situations.
n Neonatal ambulance – Neonatal ambulances attend to deliveries and post-delivery needs. Neonatal ambulances also transport babies to specialised hospitals
n Mobile ICU ambulance – Mobile intensive care unit ambulance, or MICU, is an emergency vehicle that provides advanced life support to patients while transporting them to the hospital. MICUs are equipped with more medical equipment and supplies than standard ambulances.
n Advance life support ambulance – Advanced life support ambulances are equipped with additional medical equipment and highly trained medical professionals capable of providing life-saving
Vehicles for the disabled
Handicapped vehicles are modified specifically for the disabled people with mobility impairments to enter, exit, and drive them.
They are also known as wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs). These vehicles can be minivans, SUVs, or other types of cars designed to suit their needs considering that some may have one hand and some not have legs.
n Minivans: Have low floor heights and spacious interiors, making them a good choice for wheelchair users
n SUVs: Have wide doorways and a higher seating position, making them easier to enter and exit for people with limited mobility
n BraunAbility Entervan: Designed for power chair users who can stay seated while driving or riding
Some of the features includes extended floors, lightweight ramps for low-grade inclines, side-entry or rear-entry designs, and wheelchair lifts for full-sized vehicles. These features can include ramps, lifts, seating options, and hand controls.
Ramps
n Manual or electrical: Ramps can be used to transfer a wheelchair into the vehicle. rear entry ramps provide more space inside the vehicle.
n Low floor models: Low floors make it easier to enter and exit the vehicle. lifts
n Wheelchair lifts: These lifts allow for easy loading and unloading of wheelchairs and other mobility devices.
n Hoist lifts: Some vehicles can be equipped with a hoist lift that can accommodate large mobility devices.
Seating options
n Removable or foldable seats: These seats can be removed or folded to create more room.
n Swivel seats: These seats rotate to make it easier for wheelchair users to transfer to and from their wheelchair.
n Transfer boards: These adjustable seats can help ensure the comfort and safety of passengers.
Hand controls
n Push and pull hand controls: These controls can be used by those who are trained to maneuver the vehicle.
These modifications are very specialised and cannot be performed by entities that don’t have approval from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) as a quality control measure.
The majority of such companies that perform this kind of specialised vehicle modification and conversions work are mostly found in South Africa, Asia, Europe and the United States of America.
I must be honest that l have never seen such a company here in Zimbabwe.
So my advice is that once you are faced with this kind of need please do not use anyone who claims that they can do it without a verification due diligence process.
The ambulances and handicapped vehicles may come with a duty-free facility.
The ambulance may qualify if the use is to serve public health workers and is for private use and not for commercial purposes.
On the other hand the handicapped vehicles may also qualify for duty free if the importer is disabled and can prove that by providing a letter from a specialist doctor that can confirm the nature and degree of their disability.
However, you have to process the duty-free approval documents before importing to avoid complications at the point of clearing the vehicles.
You have to remember that you cannot import the van which is not yet modified into an ambulance with a plan to then get it modified after importing it.
Currently a 2016 Toyota Hiace van high roof ambulance from Japan is priced around $23 800 while a 2024 brand new is priced around US$53 000 delivered including the basic ambulance equipment up to Beitbridge or Chirundu border before the taxes.
*Stanley Makombe has 25 years’ experience in the motor industry, currently handling vehicle imports from Japan, Thailand, UK and South Africa into African countries. He is writing in his own capacity and can be contacted on +254 743 900 590, on X @Stan_Carsales, email: stanley@stanleymakombe.com, www.stanleymakombe.com
