Mazda Motor Corp. on Thursday began accepting reservations for purchase of a modified SUV that can be controlled solely with the use of hands by drivers who are physically disabled.

The MX-30 Self-empowerment Driving Vehicle, a modified version of the MX-30 SUV that is set to be released in January, is equipped with a lever on the left side of the driver that can be depressed by hand to act as a break and a ring on the steering wheel that can function as an accelerator.

The car can also be driven using pedals by able-bodied users.

It also includes a board that wheelchair users can sit on in the process of moving into the driver's seat.

The additional equipment costs 528,000 yen ($4,640) on top of the cost of the original MX-30 model. Mazda is considering developing disabled-friendly equipment for other models as well.

==Kyodo

© Kyodo News International, Inc., source Newswire