Midwest Automotive Designs

What Midwest Automotive Designs does

Midwest Automotive Designs, founded in 2000 and headquartered on a 23-acre manufacturing campus in Elkhart, Indiana, designs and builds custom luxury conversions on Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Ford Transit and Dodge RAM ProMaster chassis. Its product portfolio spans Class B RVs (Heritage, Patriot, Passage, Ford Passage, Ford Patriot, ProMaster Legend, Day Cruiser) and executive transportation vehicles (Business Class, Professional Series, G-55/G-45, Luxe Cruiser, Patriot Cruiser, Executive Shuttle, Athletics Sprinter, Luxury Mobility Van), with each unit built to customer specification in 8-10 week cycles and cumulative output exceeding 13,000 vans at a current run-rate of ~1,800 units per year. The company was the first Quality Approved Mercedes-Benz Sprinter upfitter in the U.S. and operates in-house capabilities for seating, wood, paint and engineering, supplemented by technology integrations such as the Freedom Package lithium power system (2016), Alpine premium audio (2023), Firefly Integrations multiplex control (2023), and SpaceX Starlink satellite connectivity.

The business is a hybrid direct-to-consumer / channel model. Customers can purchase factory-direct from Elkhart or through a network of 24+ authorized dealers across 19+ U.S. states. A second, less visible revenue stream is private-label manufacturing for REV Group-affiliated brands including Ultimate Toys, Chinook, Holiday Rambler, Fleetwood and American Coach. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, with third-party financing available. Customer segments span luxury RV enthusiasts, business executives (including a documented repeat buyer on his fourth custom van since 2009), collegiate and professional sports teams, corporate shuttle buyers, and mobility-impaired individuals served by wheelchair-accessible variants. The MAD Owners Group community and twice-yearly owner rallies support post-sale retention.

Ownership changed twice in the past decade: Midwest was acquired by REV Group (NYSE: REVG) in 2017, then divested to Alliance RV, LLC in February 2026 as a separate business unit following Terex Corporation's $9 billion acquisition of REV Group. Leadership is anchored by founder and President Tim Gray and CEO Harry Schmink (appointed 2019). Industry recognition includes Inc. 5000 (2014) and RV News Class B of the Year (2022).

Name

Midwest Automotive Designs

Legal name

Midwest Automotive Designs

Website

https://midwestautomotivedesigns.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Midwest Automotive Designs is an Elkhart, Indiana manufacturer of custom luxury conversions on Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, Ford Transit and RAM ProMaster chassis, producing Class B RVs and executive transportation vehicles for affluent consumers, business executives, sports teams, and private-label OEM partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Luxury Van Conversions

NAICS

Motor Home Manufacturing (336213), Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing (33621)

SIC

Motor Homes (3716), Truck & Bus Bodies (3713)

akta.pro primary industry

Recreational Vehicle (RV) Bodies & Towables Manufacturing (IMACAGAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Bus Body & Coachbuilder / Bus Body Assembly (IMACADAH)

Keywords

• Luxury van conversions
• Class B motorhomes
• Sprinter camper vans
• Custom executive vans
• Mobile office vans

Headquarters

HQ city

Elkhart

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Luxury Custom Van Sales: One-time purchase of custom luxury Sprinter van conversions. Customers select from various models (Heritage, Patriot, Passage, Luxe Cruiser, etc.) and customize to their specifications. Build time is 8-10 weeks.
2. Private Label Manufacturing: Produced private label vans for brands including Ultimate Toys, Chinook, Holiday Rambler, Fleetwood, and American Coach under REV Group ownership.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Midwest Automotive Designs manufactures custom luxury van conversions built primarily on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis, with additional models on Ford Transit and Dodge RAM ProMaster platforms. The company produces Class B RVs (Heritage, Patriot, Passage, Ford Passage, Ford Patriot, ProMaster Legend) for personal luxury travel and executive vans (Business Class, Professional Series, G-55/G-45, Executive Shuttle, Luxe Cruiser, Patriot Cruiser, Day Cruiser, Athletics Sprinter, Luxury Mobility Van) for corporate, celebrity, and special-purpose transport. Each vehicle is custom-built to buyer specifications with in-house seating, wood, paint, and engineering capabilities.

Product overview

Midwest Automotive Designs is a luxury custom Sprinter van converter offering Class B RVs and executive transportation vehicles. The product portfolio centers on conversions of Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis (primary platform), with additional offerings on Ford Transit and Dodge RAM ProMaster chassis. The RV lineup includes the Heritage, Patriot, Passage, Ford Passage, Ford Patriot, and ProMaster Legend models for personal luxury travel. The executive van lineup includes Business Class, Professional Series, G-55/G-45, Executive Shuttle, Athletics Sprinter, Luxe Cruiser, Patriot Cruiser, Day Cruiser, and Luxury Mobility Van models. All models feature customizable luxury interiors with woodwork, leather seating, advanced technology including optional lithium Freedom Package systems, and integration with third-party systems like Starlink satellite internet and Firefly control systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Heritage Luxury Class B RV built on Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis featuring European-inspired contemporary design with modern luxury aesthetics and quality craftsmanship for affluent travelers.
• Patriot Luxury Mercedes-Benz Sprinter camper van designed to complement REV Group's highest-end Class-A brand American Coach, featuring the Freedom Package lithium system that eliminates the need for propane gas.
• Passage Luxury Mercedes-Benz Sprinter camper van, the modern descendant of the original Weekender, featuring exquisitely crafted wood interiors, custom seating, and cutting-edge technology including the Freedom Package lithium system.
• Ford Passage Luxury Ford Transit All-Wheel-Drive chassis camper van with same craftsmanship as Mercedes-Benz models, standard with the Freedom Package lithium system eliminating propane gas.
• Ford Patriot Luxury Ford Transit All-Wheel-Drive chassis camper van originally introduced under American Coach brand, offering advanced features in the Class-B market with the same craftsmanship as Mercedes models.
• ProMaster Legend Luxury RAM ProMaster chassis Class B camper van featuring plush fabric upholstery, rich wood accents, and optional Lithium Freedom Package.
• Luxe Cruiser Luxury Mercedes-Benz Sprinter cruiser van with open floor plan and lavish seating arrangements, featuring deluxe amenities including porcelain toilet, sink, refrigerator, microwave, Alpine sound system, and HDTVs.
• Patriot Cruiser Luxury Mercedes-Benz Sprinter cruiser van designed for comfort and style while traveling, featuring open floor plan, lavish seating, and optional Lithium Freedom Package and air ride suspension.
• Day Cruiser Luxury Mercedes-Benz Sprinter camper van for day trips and exploring, featuring precision craftsmanship and sophisticated amenities on the Mercedes Sprinter chassis.
• Business Class Pioneering Mercedes-Benz Sprinter mobile office van model debuting in 2000, featuring sophisticated partitions, luxurious seating, and entertainment features; preferred choice for celebrity and executive transport, including SpaceX Starlink satellite internet as standard.
• Professional Series Mercedes-Benz Sprinter limo conversion with spacious floor plans for large parties, suitable for proms, weddings, wine tours, and dignified transport.
• G-55 / G-45 Signature custom conversion Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans offering private jet amenities with luxury seating, available in multiple configurations from 7 to 11 passengers.
• Executive Shuttle Luxury van accommodating 14-15 passengers in various configurations, featuring upgraded plush seating, enhanced audio system, and increased storage; ideal for corporate travel, airport shuttles, and VIP transportation.
• Athletics Sprinter Versatile Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van tailored for small sports teams featuring luxurious seating, ample cargo space for sporting equipment, entertainment features, and customization for team logos and colors.
• Luxury Mobility Van Mobility solution van with under-vehicle wheelchair lift and internal tie-downs for wheelchair users; available on Luxe Cruiser, Patriot Cruiser, Day Cruiser, G-45, and G-55 models.

Quantifiable outcome

• Class B motorhome segment outpacing all others with 19.7% YoY increase (as of 2016)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Alliance RV, LLCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Alliance RV acquired Midwest Automotive Designs from Terex Corporation following Terex's $9 billion acquisition of REV Group. Midwest now operates as a separate business unit within Alliance RV while leveraging Alliance's resources for future growth. Both companies are based in Elkhart, Indiana.
• Alps Alpine North America, Inc.coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2023Alpine partnered with Midwest Automotive Designs to introduce a premium sound system featuring Alpine Status speakers, powerful subwoofer, and integrated amplifier. The system was specially curated for the unique cabin acoustics of Sprinter vans, with expert audio tuning for near-perfect sound reproduction. Available as standard and premium audio upgrade packages.
• Firefly IntegrationscoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2023Firefly Integrations provides proprietary multiplex systems technology that integrates the Alpine source unit with their touch panel, allowing both driver and passengers to easily control music (volume, play/pause, forward/backward). Firefly specializes in multiplex control systems for recreational vehicles, marine, and fleet vehicles.
• REV Group, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017REV Group acquired Midwest Automotive Designs in 2017, enabling production of private label vans for brands including Ultimate Toys, Chinook, Holiday Rambler, Fleetwood, and American Coach. Midwest was part of REV's Recreational Vehicles segment until the 2026 sale to Alliance RV.
• Mercedes-BenzcoreTechnology or IntegrationMercedes-Benz approved upfitter status. Midwest was the first Quality Approved upfitter for the Mercedes Sprinter in the U.S. and develops second-stage conversion Sprinters adhering to all Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis are the primary platform for most models.
• Ultimate ToysminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPrivate label manufacturing customer producing luxury van conversions under Ultimate Toys branding.
• American CoachminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPremium private label manufacturing for REV Group's highest-end Class-A brand, including Ford Patriot models sold under American Coach branding.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Storyteller Overland: Storyteller Overland is a fast-growing Class B brand built on Mercedes Sprinter and Ford Transit chassis, targeting the adventure-luxury segment that overlaps with Midwest's outdoor-oriented models.
• Outside Van: Outside Van is a custom Sprinter and Ford Transit upfitter producing high-end adventure and family conversion vans, competing with Midwest in the custom luxury conversion segment.

Broad incumbents

• REV Group: REV Group is a former parent of Midwest Automotive Designs and a multi-brand specialty vehicle manufacturer producing RVs (American Coach, Holiday Rambler, Fleetwood) and specialty vehicles, with overlapping customer relationships and channels.
• Thor Industries: Thor is the largest RV manufacturer and parent of multiple Class B brands (Airstream, Thor Motor Coach, Tiffin) — a broad incumbent whose portfolio competes with Midwest across both RV and executive van categories.

Direct peers

• Pleasure-Way: Pleasure-Way manufactures premium Class B motorhomes on Mercedes Sprinter chassis, directly overlapping Midwest's luxury van offering for affluent RV buyers.
• Coachmen (Galleria/Beyond): Coachmen RV's Galleria and Beyond are direct Sprinter-based Class B competitors positioned at similar luxury price points to Midwest's Patriot and Luxe Cruiser lines.
• Winnebago (Revel/Travato/EKKO): Winnebago's Revel, Travato, and EKKO are Class B RVs on Mercedes and Ford chassis targeting the same luxury and adventure-travel buyer as Midwest Automotive Designs.
• Renegade RV (Vienna): Renegade RV's Vienna is a luxury Class B diesel Sprinter motorhome positioned at the upper end of the market, directly comparable to Midwest's Patriot and Heritage flagship models.
• Roadtrek (Erwin Hymer Group): Roadtrek builds Class B motorhomes on Ram ProMaster and Mercedes Sprinter chassis, competing head-to-head with Midwest's ProMaster Legend and Sprinter RV models.
• Airstream (Interstate/Atlas): Airstream's Interstate and Atlas are premium Class B motorhomes built on Mercedes Sprinter chassis, directly competing with Midwest's Heritage, Patriot, and Passage models in the luxury touring van segment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/mwautodesigns
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/MidwestAutomotiveDesigns
• Facebookfacebook.com/midwestautomotivedesigns
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/midwest-automotive-designs
• Instagraminstagram.com/Midwestautomotivedesigns

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Midwest Automotive Designs