This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page . (Learn how and when to remove these template messages)
|
Industry | Recreational Vehicles |
---|---|
Founded | 1982 |
Headquarters | Europarc, Grimsby, Lincolnshire, UK |
Products | Motorhomes |
Website | https://www.auto-trail.co.uk/ |
Auto-Trail is a British motorhome manufacturer, established by Bill Boasman and Barry Holmes in 1982. [1] As of 2022, the company employed around 200 staff members at its manufacturing site in Grimsby, Lincolnshire.
After both working at Astral, Boasman and Holmes worked together at Cosalt in Grimsby, and together founded the caravan division known as Humber Caravan Co. alongside Len Funnell. [2] This caravan division was then renamed as Abbey Caravan Company. Boasman left in 1971 to begin working at Mustang. [3]
In 1982, Boasman created the first coach-built Auto-Trail motorhome, the Auto-Trail Cheyenne, with the Peugeot 504 chassis. [4]
The early 1990s found the Mohawk and Cheyenne models growing in popularity. The Cheyenne range was originally a budget build for the hire fleets, but it became popular with private buyers, so Auto-Trail developed the Rico luxury pack and Sport range. [5]
Auto-Trail was bought out by A.B.I Caravans although Auto-Trail remained at its Grimsby factory. ABI went out of business in 1998 and Auto-Trail was sold to the Italian Ci Group, [1] owned by the larger Trigano Group in 1999.
In 2015, Auto-Trail began an expansion for their Grimsby site. The new production lines were designed to be more efficient and roughly doubled production numbers.
Auto-Trail added the Tribute range into the main Auto-Trail line-up in 2017 after manufacturing moved from Italy to the company's main premises in Grimsby. [6]
As custodians of the environment, Auto-Trail is committed to sustainability and responsible manufacturing practices. From eco-friendly materials to energy-efficient technologies, the company strives to minimize its environmental footprint while maintaining the highest standards of quality and performance, ensuring a greener and more sustainable future for generations to come.
Auto-Trail currently produces both van conversion and coachbuilt motorhomes. [7]
A recreational vehicle, often abbreviated as RV, is a motor vehicle or trailer that includes living quarters designed for accommodation. Types of RVs include motorhomes, campervans, coaches, caravans, fifth-wheel trailers, popup campers, and truck campers.
The Renault Trafic is a light commercial van produced by the French automaker Renault since 1980. It has also been marketed as the Fiat Talento, the Nissan NV300, the Nissan Primastar and the Mitsubishi Express. Until 2018, it was also sold as the Opel/Vauxhall Vivaro by Opel and its associated company Vauxhall. From early 2022 onwards, the van is also marketed by Renault Trucks as the Renault Trucks Trafic.
A mobile home is a prefabricated structure, built in a factory on a permanently attached chassis before being transported to site. Used as permanent homes, or for holiday or temporary accommodation, they are often left permanently or semi-permanently in one place, but can be moved, and may be required to move from time to time for legal reasons.
A motorhome is a type of self-propelled recreational vehicle (RV) which is as the name suggests, like a home on wheels.
The GMC Motorhome is a recreational vehicle that was manufactured by the GMC Truck & Coach Division of General Motors for model years 1973–1978 in Pontiac, Michigan, USA — as the only complete motorhome built by a major auto/truck manufacturer. Manufactured in 23 and 26 ft lengths, the design was noted for its front-wheel drive and its low profile, fully integrated body.
Nanjing Automobile is a state-owned enterprise with a history that dates from 1947, making it the oldest of the Chinese automobile manufacturers although the comparatively younger FAW Automotive was the first to make cars.
Airstream is an American brand of travel trailer easily recognized by the distinctive shape of its rounded and polished aluminum coachwork. This body shape dates back to the 1930s and is based on the Bowlus Road Chief, an earlier all-aluminum travel trailer designed and built by Hawley Bowlus, the same designer and engineer who also oversaw the construction of the Spirit of St. Louis.
Hymer AG is a motorhome and caravan manufacturer, located in Bad Waldsee, Germany. One of the largest manufacturers of motorhomes and caravans in Europe, the listed company Hymer AG owns several brands, including; Burstner, Carado, Sunlight, Etrusco, Elddis, Hymer, Laika, LMC, Niesmann + Bischoff, Dethleffs, Eriba, as well as camping equipment wholesale Movera. In February 2017 it acquired The Explorer Group based in Consett, UK adding the Elddis, Buccaneer, Compass and Xplore brands to its portfolio. In 2018, Thor Industries acquired Hymer.
Fisher & Paykel Appliances Holdings Ltd is a major appliance manufacturer founded in 1934. It is a subsidiary of Chinese multinational home appliances company Haier and is based in East Tāmaki, New Zealand.
Merrythought is a toy manufacturing company established in 1930 in the United Kingdom. The company specialises in soft toys, especially teddy bears. Merrythought has handmade traditional teddy bears in the World Heritage Site of Ironbridge, Shropshire, UK since 1930.
Edinburgh Crystal was a cut glass manufactured in Scotland from c. 1820s to 2006, and was also the name of the manufacturing company. In addition to drinking glasses, Edinburgh Crystal made decanters, bowls, baskets, and bells, in several ranges.
Twyford Bathrooms is a manufacturer of bathroom fixtures based in Alsager, Cheshire, England.
Winnebago Industries, Inc. is an American manufacturer of motorhomes, a type of recreational vehicle (RV), in the United States. In 2018, the company expanded into motorboat manufacturing with the acquisition of Chris-Craft Corporation. Winnebago has also manufactured light-to-medium utility vehicles as well as other products. The company is named after Winnebago County, Iowa, where it used to be headquartered. The county is named after the Native American tribe who have historically lived in the area. During the 1970s and 1980s, Winnebago Industries depended on Native American history and traditions in naming their products, for example "Chieftain" and "Brave." They also used Native American iconography and patterns in their designs and period advertisements.
Swift Leisure are a British manufacturer of leisure vehicles, including caravans and motorhomes. Started in 1964, the company is based in Cottingham, East Riding of Yorkshire.
Bainton Road is a residential road in north Oxford, England.
Nissan Shatai Co., Ltd. is a Japanese automobile contract manufacturer for Nissan that is headquartered in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa. Its direct history began in 1949. As of September 2016, Nissan owns 45.8% of the company stock.
Truma Gerätetechnik GmbH & Co. KG is a German manufacturer of leisure products for caravans and motorhomes. The company develops, manufactures and sells heating and air conditioning systems, hot water boilers, maneuvering systems and products for energy and gas supply. Truma was founded in 1949 in Munich, Germany. Today the headquarters is located in Putzbrunn near Munich and the company operates worldwide sales offices. Since the introduction of the first Truma heater in 1961 the company remained the market leader for LPG air heaters for recreational vehicles in Europe.
Bailey of Bristol is one of the UK's biggest manufacturers of leisure vehicles – touring caravans and motorhomes. In 2017 it achieved a record turnover of £144 million. It has about 450 employees, and an annual production of around 6,500 vehicles.
Pontiac West Assembly was a General Motors manufacturing facility located in Pontiac, Michigan. The manufacturing complex occupied an irregular 82-acre site bounded on the North side by Rapid Street, on the South side by South Boulevard W, on the East side by the Grand Trunk Western Railroad/Woodward Avenue, and on the West side by Franklin Road. The complex included GMC Truck & Coach Plant 1, 3, 4 and 5, as well as numerous administrative and support buildings. The last GM operations at the facility were closed, and the site completely demolished, in 2008.
Elddis is a caravan and motorhome manufacturer based in Consett, County Durham, England.