Founder of motorhome brand PLA passes away

The founder of the Italian motorhome brand, PLA, which takes his initials – Pierluigi Alinari – passed away on 1 May, at the age of 85.

Pierluigi (pictured here) was not just associated with this relatively new marque, which he sold to the Rapido Group in 2016 – he had enjoyed a long career in the motorhome industry and been one of the most high-profile characters in the Italian market.

Starting as a supplier to the Italian caravan industry, in 1980 he acquired the Tuscan arm of the British manufacturer, Caravans International (CI), when it became insolvent.

After leaving CI, which became famous for its ultra-low-cost overcab coachbuilts in this period, he founded the McLouis brand, manufacturing mostly entry-level motorhomes, which soon became popular in the UK through the importer of the day, Don Amott.

Following the sale of McLouis to the SEA Group, Pierluigi started yet another new marque, this time under the name Joint, with a brand-new factory in Spain. Again, this maker was sold to SEA Group where Pierluigi became Vice President, looking after the Mobilvetta and Elnagh motorhome brands, before launching another new motorhome manufacturer, Dream, with its unusual monocoque construction bodywork.

He retired from SEA Group in 2005 but could not resist a return to the industry, firstly launching PLA and then buying the upmarket brand, Giottiline (which was also sold to Rapido).