Specialty auto shop has customers on the move
BY JENNIFER AMATO
Staff Writer

Above, Leonard Schickler, owner of Brunswick Automotive Professionals in North Brunswick, demonstrates how a ramp extends out of a 2005 Chrysler Braun Entervan using a remote. At right, Schickler shows how an individual can drive a scooter up the ramp of the van.

NORTH BRUNSWICK — Although driving with a left-foot gas pedal or telling your car verbally to turn its blinker on may seem unconventional, customers of Brunswick Automotive & Mobility Professionals are getting around easier than ever.

That’s because the dealership, Route 1, a family automotive business founded in Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1969, has been accommodating disabled and limited-mobility patrons for the past 10 years.

“A friend of the family had a son with spina bifida who worked for Braun [Corp., a distributor of wheelchair accessible vehicles]. … He constantly bugged me to death to be a distributor for the company, and I finally gave in,” said Bob Schickler, who co-owns the company with his twin brother, Len.

The business held an open house and Customer Appreciation Day on Friday and Saturday to introduce their 20 new and used wheelchair-accessible, mini- and full-size vans and help customers find a solution to their mobility needs.

“It is amazing how business has grown. The demographic of the population has grown. People are living longer … but that doesn’t necessarily mean their bodies are surviving. They need additional mobility to get around,” Schickler said.

The company is involved with The Braun Corp., based out of Indiana, which takes the chassis of cars and installs wheelchair ramps. Chrysler, Toyota, General Motors, Dodge, Pontiac, Chevy and Buick have joined the conversion crusade.

“You’re doing what you basically do in the U.S. in commerce: you’re selling something. But you’re helping people. You are not confining them to home, and they’re thankful for it, and it changes their lives,” Bob Wagner, area sales manager for Braun, said.

Although van conversions can cost up to $17,000, customers usually receive manufacturer rebates, insurance coverage and/or state aid.

“If a customer is ready to go now, [they could purchase] or they could always special-order a vehicle. … We find a lot of customers, because of the wide variety of vehicles, like to just drive off,” said Diane Avellini, mobility sales specialist. “We’re finding that the business is rapidly growing. Disabled or older people with lower mobility need lower seats so it is easier to get in.”

Although most people like to buy a new vehicle, used vans are practically like new due to overservicing of the vehicles.

“Mobility vehicles are well maintained. Anyone in a wheelchair is afraid of getting stuck. One little noise or squeak and they bring it in. The vehicle tends to be over-serviced. They have low mileage and are in excellent condition. The resale value on a mobility van is exceptional. They buy for the condition of the vehicle, not the year,” Schickler said.

Most clients keep their cars for eight years unless they get a new wheelchair that won’t fit in the original vehicle or if their driving condition changes, according to Schickler.

Once specific incident of receiving a new vehicle involved a couple who recently won a van from “Live With Regis and Kelly,” according to Cindy Mesko of marketing. Their two children are confined to wheelchairs for the rest of their lives due to a genetic defect. Pontiac called Brunswick Mobility to help them get the car converted for accessibility.

“They came here in a little [Ford] Taurus station wagon. They were going on vacation and they had no way to strap down the kids, so we installed harnesses,” Mesko said. “They are so excited … [with the new van] they can roll the kids in and take them where they want to go.”

In addition to being a dealership, Brunswick Mobility installs hand and foot controls, left-foot gas pedals, voice activation systems and car-top wheelchair or scooter carriers. They are an Automobile Association of America (AAA) Service & Repair Center and are authorized to sell, install and service mobility equipment manufactured by Braun, Bruno, VMI, MPD and Ricon. The technicians, certified by the Quality Assurance Program of the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association, service brakes, air conditioning, electrical, cooling, tune-ups, oil changes, tires and other maintenance needs.

“When someone is physically challenged, they don’t have the ability to run around place to place to be serviced,” Schickler said.

The business also offers a pickup and delivery service within a 50-mile radius.

“It is amazing how far our clientele comes from. We have a man three hours away and he comes for service,” he added.

Furthermore, Brunswick Mobility has a special relationship with customer John Sherwood. Sherwood, who was paralyzed in an automobile accident in 1972, founded Accessibility Design Associates (ADA) to install ceiling lifts, stairlifts, vertical platform lifts, and ramps in residences.

“People who unfortunately become disabled need modified vehicles and modified housing. They sell the vehicles and we modify the houses,” Sherwood said.

Overall, Brunswick Mobility is “one-stop shopping” for their customers, according to Avellini.

“We’re talking about a relationship that is uniquely different than any relationship between a customer and a vendor. The relationship is based upon family because we are bringing to the relationship independence,” Schickler said. “Our job is to eliminate obstacles … in the way we design the van for their needs. Because of that, the relationship is so unique. We are all family.” For more information, call (732) 545-6300 or visit www.BrunswickMobility.com.