AM General is back in the commercial car production business at its plant in Mishawaka.

“We’re very excited about that, this plant’s been without a product since January of 2009 so it’s a great day when you can see it producing cars off the end of the line again,” said Rick Smith, AM General’s President of Commercial Business.

Today, in the very plant where the Hummer H-2 was once made, the first MV-1 rolled off the production line. “We’re delivering next week, we will produce a thousand vehicles approximately the first year,” said Fred Drasner, Chairman of The Vehicle Production Group LLC based in Miami, Florida.

The MV-1 is said to be the only vehicle that was designed specifically for the disabled.

The completion of the first MV-1 allowed its creators to have the last laugh. “Just starting a new car company even in the best of times is difficult,” said Drasner who added that AM General officials responded with laughter when he first revealed his plans.

Today, Rick Smith admitted that he was the one who chuckled. “Absolutely, to start a new car company in these economic times?”

Somehow, the MV-1 concept survived the banking crisis, and the bankruptcy of General Motors and today’s ceremonies were no laughing matter to the 150 people who now have jobs building the vehicle

“And we intend to keep it that employment level for a period of time here till MV-1 is able to get their dealer base in place and increase some sales which is anticipated after the first of the year,” said Rick Smith.

Shortly after the first MV-1 rolled off the production line today, that unit was also sold and delivered to its new owner.

“Finally someone realized you know that this community deserves better,” said Mark Buoniconti, who is confined to a wheelchair. “Want to sit in the front seat, want to have spacious headroom, want to have a ramp that holds enough weight, or is wide enough, the door way wide enough.”

Buoniconti is the son of former Notre Dame Linebacker, and Captain of the 1961 Irish, Nick Buoniconti. Mark Buoniconti’s football career ended in 1986. Mark was playing linebacker for The Citadel when a tackle left him paralyzed.

Mark Buoniconti says the MV-1 he bought today was actually less expensive than what the converted van that he has been using. “Oh it’s substantially less expensive than the vehicle I’m driving right now, this vehicle is under $40,000, I think I spent $65,000 on my vehicle and it’s not as safe, it’s not as reliable.”

It’s a situation that arguably leave the MV-1 with no competition.

“The only vehicles that compete with us are after market conversions, which we think are expensive and have obviously have reliability, durability issues,” said Drasner. “So you end up with 6,000 pound vehicle that was designed to be a 4,000 pound vehicle and the results is the suspensions doesn’t hold up very well, the brakes don’t hold up very well.”

A total of 1,000 MV-1’s are expected to be produced by the end of this year. “I’m hopeful that we’ll do 12,000 units next year,” said Drasner.

Drasner said VPG has signed 41 dealers and will begin making deliveries next week.