2025 marks a historic milestone, not only in the heritage of Brotherwood Automobility but also in the development of accessible transport for wheelchair users. It celebrates the 40th anniversary of the invention of the lowered floor Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) by Rod Brotherwood OBE, an innovation that in 1985 not only started a company but launched an entire industry
THE IDEA
Before 1985, the Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle, or ‘WAV’, as it is known today did not exist. Personal transport for wheelchair users were crude, conspicuous vehicles, with large glass boxes mounted to car chassis – neither discreet, comfortable, or inclusive for the wheelchair user.
This solution was not acceptable to John Lambert. John, a former airline pilot, had become dependent on his wheelchair following a motorcycle accident. Unhappy with such clumsy vehicles – ‘Pope-mobiles’, as he called them – John approached friend and neighbour Rod, a vehicle engineer, to ask if he could use his extensive knowledge to design and build him a better vehicle.
John wanted what anyone would look for in a new car; good looks, convenience, and everyday usability. John especially wanted something that didn’t stand out as a vehicle for the disabled.
Rod set about researching and designing an innovative new vehicle conversion that enabled John to travel with his family, comfortably and discretely: the 1985 Nissan Prairie, which Rod cleverly converted with a lightweight rear ramp, and discreet lowered floor section, which enabled John to travel centrally inside the vehicle, inclusively with his family and with a superb view out of the windows and windscreen.
Most importantly, the vehicle was almost imperceptible as a wheelchair-accessible car: only a slight modification to the rear bumper, and slightly lifted roof marked the Brotherwood Prairie as different from a standard vehicle.
THE EVOLUTION
Initially planned as a one-off, Rod’s invention soon caught the eye of other wheelchair users in the area, and requests for more Brotherwood Prairies started to arrive with Rod, who soon forms Brotherwood Automobility – a company dedicated to engineering accessible vehicles.
Exhibiting the conversion at the 1986 ‘Naidex’ exhibition, wheelchair users are amazed by the discreet low floor adaptation and further orders begin to arrive, and as word spreads of Rod’s remarkable vehicle, demand continues to increase: by 1987, the Brotherwood Automobility delivers its’ 100th WAV.
Throughout the 1990s, Brotherwood continue to innovate, launching a wider range of WAVs based on vehicles from manufacturers such as Ford and Volkswagen.
Brotherwood’s uniquely functional vehicle conversions become known as the industry standard for their quality, comfort and inclusion for wheelchair users – as well as their ease of use and discreet design which appeals to families and carers.
As the WAV industry grows, Brotherwood become a founding member of the Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Convertor’s Association (WAVCA) in 1999 – an industry body with an agreed Code of Practise which ensures that wheelchair users in the UK benefit from uniform standards.
In 2001 Brotherwood become the first WAV convertor to offer a Wheelchair Up-Front conversion, adapting the Fiat Multipla into a side-by-side configuration. The innovative design had a special appeal to couples who had been used to travelling side-by-side before needing a wheelchair.
Behind the scenes Brotherwood continue to work on improving industry standards with WAVCA: successfully lobbying the European Commission to have WAVs recognised as Special Purpose Vehicles, and working with the BSI to develop an accredited standard for WAVs; both important steps in ensuring that accessible vehicles are designed, developed and tested to ensure functionality, usability and safety standards are of the highest levels.
FORWARD TO TODAY AND BEYOND
40 years since Rod’s incredible innovation, Brotherwood are recognised as the market leader in Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle design. Their modern factory, near Sherborne in Dorset, now produces industry-leading accessible vehicle conversions from manufacturers such as Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Vauxhall and Toyota, as well as accessories such as patented PAWRS (Power Assisted Wheelchair Restraint Systems).
These unique products enable wheelchair users not only across the UK, but Europe and across the world, to enjoy comfortable, inclusive and safe transport with their families and friends.
Brotherwood’s ethos of ensuring the highest standards of quality, discreet design and high functionality, along with first-class customer service, remains unchanged – even after 40 years. A modern, solar-powered production facility, which houses design, engineering, sales and service capabilities – surrounded by the company’s own planted green space which offsets carbon emissions and beautifies the local area, bears the name Lambert House, in recognition of the idea that started an industry. Brotherwood’s industry-leading design and engineering capabilities ensure that they will continue to be at the forefront of accessible vehicle design, not only in the UK, but globally.
