“Our customers want something that facilitates productivity
without being ostentatious,” says Howard Becker, president of
Becker Automotive Design. “They may have a Bentley in the garage,
but for their everyday business travel they want something that
is handsome, has a bit of style, yet does not brazenly flash
wealth.”
John Scardino, a real estate developer on California’s central
coast, exemplifies Becker’s target demographic group. Scardino
purchased his JetVan luxury coach from Becker Automotive Design
in January after reading an article about the product in the
June 2005 issue of The Robb Report Collection. “My goal
was to have something that was not too big and offered the capabilities
for me to conduct my work completely,” says Scardino. “I can
park it almost anywhere, unlike the trailers and motor homes
that I was previously using for work.”
The Dodge Sprinter, the starting point of Becker’s JetVan, is
a long-wheelbase, high-roof passenger van manufactured in Dusseldorf,
Germany, by a Mercedes-Benz plant, and it only comes with the
Dodge insignia for the American market. Many of Becker’s clients
opt for the caches of the Mercedes-Benz nameplate.
The conversions offer a level of functionality, practicality,
and comfort rare in the world of aftermarket vans. The interior
workmanship showcases the talent and experience of Becker’s
craftsmen. With a team of over 40 full-time specialists, Becker
Automotive Deisng works on multiple projects at any given time.
“The skills that I see at the shop astound me daily,” Becker
says. “I never have to outsource anything. Some of these guys
have been with me for over 20 years, and I couldn’t ask for
a better crew.”
Becker received his first taste of the automobile industry while
working on car radio systems with his father. “I realized that
what people wanted most during that time were better audio features.
This was before aftermarket speaker systems like Jenson had
made their mark. We were working with AM/FM sets and 8-tracks.”
Becker discovered his knack for aftermarket work—including highly
modified SUVs and armored vehicles—long before developing the
Sprinter conversion. “I actually got the idea for the JetVan
while I was in Europe. I noticed quite a few hotels using the
Sprinter vans as luxury hotel transports, and I envisioned endless
possibilities.”
Customers can choose from six interior floor plans on two different
wheelbases, for a total of 12 layouts. According to Becker,
“the versatility for the JetVan product line is continually
growing, and when the van makes the transition from 2006 to
2007, there is going to be a while new development of the lineup.”
The current Sprinter van is powered by a steady 5-cylinder turbo-diesel
engine, which will be revamped by Mercedes-Benz for the 2007
model year. Due out in February, the new Sprinter van will be
the vehicle’s first redesign in 10 years, offering both 3.0-liter
turbo-diesel V-6 and 3.0-liter V-6 gasoline power engine options,
along with three different extended wheelbases (the vans range
in length from 17 to 24 feet) and heightened cabin space.
The extensive overhaul process converts the Dodge Sprinter van
into a state-of-the-art workhorse fitted for the luxury-business
buyer. The JetVan boasts an in-house computer networking system
controlled with a wireless keyboard and integrated touchpad,
with a mobile Wi-Fi network accessible to anyone working from
inside the vehicle. A 32-inch LCD monitor enables the passenger
to orchestrate a videoconference while resting comfortably in
first-class aviation-style seating with ample legroom and over
6 feet of headroom. Leisure also is a focal point of the JetVan,
which is equipped with a complete surround-sound entertainment
system, widescreen TV, and a minifridge.
“People see the Mercedes-Benz emblem on the Sprinter
van and take interest because of the rarity of the vehicle on
American roads,” says Scardino. “But it is not until they see
the interior that they know that there is nothing else like
it. Nothing else even comes close.”
“It is a Mercedes-Benz vehicle from head to heel,” Becker
insists, “except for the Dodge emblem, which is probably made
in Europe also.”
The Becker JetVan luxury coach aims to help overworked businesspeople
by allowing them to both work and rest while traveling, a time
that would otherwise be mostable unusable. Each Becker JatVan
is built to order, and prices range from $200,000 to $300,000,
depending on the floor plan and options chosen. “If you’re the
type who moves around a lot and needs to work and relax, then
the JetVan is the only choice,” says Scardino. “From a business
standpoint, it is the ultimate limo.”
