Photography by Cordero Studios
Collection Gift Guide: The Commuter's Coach
December 1, 2006
"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 Düsseldorf, 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 cachet 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 Design 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 Jensen 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 whole 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.
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