The VanGo Team
About Us
- Setting A New Standard For Local Car Care
VanGo Auto is St. Paul’s trusted destination for expert German and foreign vehicle repair
VanGo’s story is anything but ordinary – it’s driven by passion, commitment, and a mission to raise the bar in auto repair. Most people tell us VanGo is the first time they’ve actually enjoyed getting their car fixed. We’d love to make that true for you too! Watch the short video below, catch the VanGo vibe, and see why our customers keep coming back. Give us a call or book online to experience it for yourself.
Our History
In 2017, husband-and-wife team Jordan and Crystal Frank-Shannon founded VanGo Auto, specializing in German and foreign car repair in St. Paul. Driven by their combined expertise in automotive, business, and customer service, they set out to make car care easier for the community. During this same time, they launched VanGo Rental, offering classic Volkswagen Vanagon campervans, a niche that thrived during the pandemic. By 2022, however, they shifted focus, discontinuing rentals to expand VanGo Auto into a midsize company with a larger facility.
Our Philosophy
Currently, VanGo Auto is a leading modern-day German and import auto repair shop. Customers value the personalized approach they may not find at dealerships, combined with the expertise of master technicians. VanGo’s service model sets itself apart from typical auto repair shops. While most shops pay technicians based on the number of jobs completed, which drives them to rush through tasks, VanGo believes in a different approach. We offer our technicians a competitive salary, eliminating the stress of speed and fostering a culture of teamwork and high-quality work. This approach is beneficial for staff’s wellbeing and produces positive results for customers and their cars.
The VanGo Team
Jordan
Co-Owner
- Jordan’s dad was an entrepreneur. He always dreamed of creating a business.
- Loves a good Audi wagon, his ’89 Vanagon, and restored a 1961 Lincoln Continental convertible
- Enjoys camping, building/improving stuff, spending time with Crystal and Ivy
- Before business/child, regularly traveled to assist with Habitat for Humanity. These days you will find him volunteering with Highland Park District Council.
Crystal
Co-Owner
- Linked to Jordan – at VanGo and at home. They still like each other and have an elementary-aged kiddo named Ivy
- Past career was in social services and leadership, most recently housing/homelessness
- Passionate about traveling to unknown lands, adventure, discovery, learning
- Favorites – solo camping, outdoors, yoga, observing Ivy excel
Kristyn
Operation Assistant
- Has two great kids – middle school-aged son and elementary-aged daughter
- She enjoys fun weekend trips to Chicago or San Diego with her boyfriend, Rory
- In a past life, she lived in the Dominican Republic, Sweden, Scotland and Key West
- Hobbies – Trying out new cooking and baking recipes for loved ones and golfing
Maxx
Technician
- Likes working on European cars, enjoys larger projects and difficult diagnostics
- Mountain bikes, skateboards, and rock climbs – completes in adventure races
- Big fan of bears – black bears, grizzlies, etc.
- Has two dogs and a pet pig
Edward
Technician
- Enjoys working on new and old cars – the more unique/interesting the better
- Likes cooking/eating all kinds of food – grilling/smoking meats outdoors, favorite thing to cook – Korean & Japanese food in the winter
- Avoids touristy sports during travel, instead looks for less traveled, local gems
- Active outside of work – weightlifting, runs, swims, cross country skiing, and paddle boarding
Ethan
Technician
- Hobbies – skateboarding, snowboarding, and riding his motorcycle
- Enjoys road trips more than flying to a destination
- First car – 2001 VW Golf, prefers a 20-year old Audi over a newer car