Those dazzling sport compacts with neon flames painted on the sides might
impress a few clients, but customization has a different meaning when it comes
to business vehicles. Maybe you need a walk-in closet on wheels or a
fully equipped office in the back of your van. How about stacks of shelves and
bins for stocking your inventory to take along on sales or delivery calls? You
can even have a kitchen sink installed.
Equipping car and truck interiors with work benches, cabinets, modular
compartments and drawers, called "upfitting," is a hot ticket with companies
that service customers door to door. Florists are finding that General Motors
vehicles can be upfitted with rubberized shelving to cushion their delicate
orders; Chevrolet's HHR Panel wagon can be upfitted with windowless side panels
to provide private cargo space, and its Uplander can become a workshop on the
road, with side panels that pop up and lock open so tools and supplies are
within easy reach without having to go inside the vehicle.
Customizing small business owners' vehicles with a variety of storage options
and accessories is a snap with built-in equipment and fixtures you can order
from the dealer when you buy your new car or van. Auto manufacturers work with
outside suppliers, such as Adrian Steel and Monroe Truck Equipment, to design
special racks and cargo organizers, or you can have these furnishings added
later. Choices of materials range from wood and plastic to steel and other
metals, as well as padded walls and ceilings for cargo protection.
Bins, shelves and drawers are a big feature on the Chevy Astro Body van.
Toyota has adjustable shelving with extra-deep shelves and drawers available on
its Tundra pickup, as well as aluminum toolboxes and ladder racks. Dodge's
Sprinter, the tallest cargo van on the market, can be upfitted with floor
drawers and adjustable shelves and partitions. If your company services currency
and coin machines or check cashing offices, you can order Monroe's special armor
plating when buying new trucks from GM, Ford and others.
Utility vehicles are tailor-made for you if you're looking for a basic van or
truck to customize. Chrysler taps Adrian Steel to install its vehicles with,
among other options, large literature holders for your company brochures and
fliers, and special shelves to hold catalogs. Plastic bins keep cargo weight to
a minimum to help fuel economy, and storage modules can be arranged to the
right height and width for your products.
Some of the newest innovations are from Sportsmobile.com, a company that, in
addition to converting various vehicles for mobile adventurers, offers a custom
business traveler van package. Among their first buyers was a day trader who
disliked being cooped up in an office, so he ordered his van equipped with a
full-size desk and executive chair.
Best news of all: Some manufacturer upfits are complimentary or discounted by
dealerships to qualified buyers, including fleet owners. Check out GM's website
for business/commercial vehicles, gmbusinesschoice.com, to find work-ready
equipment for its vehicles and pricing. Chevy's Express van can be upfitted with
an all-purpose bin system at no cost to you, and there are huge discounts on
other storage options. Ford's site, Fleet.Ford.com, posts data on its
E-Series cargo vans. However, incentives can change from week to week, so check
with your local dealer for the latest offers.
Tight budget? Retail auto stores stock accessories such as small storage
bins, removable overhead consoles, mini desks and file organizers to turn your
trunk and passenger seat into a temporary office at little cost. Or check these
items out online. One site, enjoythedrive.com, is sponsored by SEMA, the
Special Equipment Marketing Association. Oh, that kitchen sink? You can get it
from Sportsmobile.