Chevrolet honors an American hero with a new wheelchair-accessible SUV

Retired U.S. Army Sergeant Nick Koulchar was deployed in Baghdad during Operation Iraqi Freedom when he was injured in the line of duty. As a combat engineer and gunner with the U.S. Army Alpha Company 40^th Engineers, Task Force 1/6, Koulchar’s vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device. He underwent a double leg amputation above the knee.

It didn’t slow Koulchar down. Today, he enjoys hunting, weightlifting, and is a 40-time marathoner. He’s also an accomplished handcyclist with the Achilles Freedom Team, composed of fellow veterans with disabilities. He lives with his wife and three children in a barrier free home in Hartland, Michigan.

The next-generation BraunAbility Chevrolet Traverse is a strong fit for people like Koulchar – wheelchair users who lead active lives. “Everybody has the power to turn their trauma into a positive,” said Koulchar. “People see the missing legs as a disadvantage, but I see them as a superpower.”

Thanks to its rugged, truck-inspired design, the BraunAbility Traverse sets a new standard in wheelchair-accessible vehicles, offering a practical and capable alternative to traditional converted minivans.https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F1168939871429668%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=0

Country Music Association and Chevrolet honored America’s veterans and active-duty military at the CMA Awards in Nashville, Tennessee. In front of 100 soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Country Music superstar Ella Langley welcomed Koulchar to the live show, and gave audiences a look into Chevrolet’s special surprise for him — a next-generation BraunAbility Traverse.

Hosted by Lainey Wilson, Country Music’s Biggest Night™ aired live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena Wednesday, Nov. 19 (8:00-11:00 p.m. EST), on ABC and will be available the following day on Hulu.

A new kind of accessible vehicle

The BraunAbility Traverse is upfitted from the Chevrolet Traverse LT, and will be available to customers in 2026 through BraunAbility’s nationwide mobility dealer network.

“The Traverse was redesigned in model year 2024, and we’re proud to once again collaborate with BraunAbility to offer a wheelchair-accessible, next generation model,” said Scott Bell, vice president, Global Chevrolet.

“The BraunAbility team is continually innovating and leading in the accessibility industry, and we’re honored to be able to help offer this vehicle to the millions of Americans living with a disability,” said Bell.

Customers will be able to customize the new BraunAbility Traverse to their individual accessibility needs. Chevrolet and BraunAbility engineered the Traverse to accommodate a wheelchair user as driver, front seat passenger, or second row passenger.

BraunAbility was recently honored by Forbes in its first-ever Accessibility 100 list, highlighting the company’s impact in the mobility and accessibility space. The previous-generation BraunAbility Traverse, available through model year 2023, was named Disability:IN’s Accessible Product of the Year for 2023.

Accessibility features by BraunAbility

• Fully lowered floor design with integrated in-floor ramp, and vehicle kneeling function for seamless entry and exit for wheelchair users
• All-new BraunAbility glide door system with extra-wide, extra-tall opening (31 inches by 54.5 inches) for effortless access, with space for larger wheelchairs
• First SUV with Wayfinder^TM illuminated side entry ramp for enhanced visibility
• Designed for maximum wheelchair maneuverability, with generous interior space and removable front seats for flexible seating options

“The BraunAbility Traverse showcases our advanced engineering and strong collaboration with GM, delivering accessibility without sacrificing Chevrolet’s signature design,” said Craig Schrimsher, president, BraunAbility. “With this product, we’re giving our customers more choices than ever – an SUV that uniquely fits their lifestyle and individuality.”

Redesigned, stylish Traverse

The Traverse is a family-friendly midsize SUV with more than 20 standard safety and driver assistance features¹. Standard in the current generation Traverse are a 17.7-inch-diagonal infotainment screen, 11-inch-diagonal driver information screen, and best-in-class max cargo capacity² – all of which come standard in the BraunAbility Traverse.

Offering further customizability and personal style, the BraunAbility Traverse is available as a Sport Edition or an all-black Midnight Edition. Both models feature 20-inch black painted wheels, black grille, black bowtie emblems and Traverse badging, and black upper door moldings.