Thor, Erwin Hymer share their future vision

Seven months after the acquisition by Thor Industries of the European giant the Erwin Hymer Group, Bob Martin, the CEO Thor Industries, and Martin Brandt, CEO Erwin Hymer Group, have presented their vision of a shared future for the first time.

With a market share of 35% for motorhomes and 46% for caravans and fifth-wheelers combined in North America and 22.5% for motorhomes and 21.5% for caravans in Europe, the company is the only manufacturing group with a comprehensive brand portfolio on both sides of the Atlantic and is the world's largest motorhome, campervan and caravan manufacturing group.

It defined three issues that are guiding its future: social responsibility (arising from its leading position in the market), digitalisation (the most important future technology), and the aspiration to inspire customers with innovative products and services.

“We were surprised by how similar we are," says Bob Martin, reflecting on the first seven months.

Martin Brandt, adds: “What unites us is our common vision. We want to enable people worldwide to enjoy unique leisure and mobility experiences. Go everywhere. Stay anywhere.”

In relation to its social responsibility covering environmental aspects, the group recently revealed its Globevan e.Hybrid (built by Dethleffs), which is the first production-ready plug-in hybrid motorhome, as well as the Vision Venture concept study by Hymer.

By creating these, Martin said the group is “…also responding to a trend that is seeing more and more customers striving for a sustainable caravanning lifestyle - and wanting to distance themselves from mass tourism.”

On working together, the group says the European arm’s expertise in campervan production will be of huge benefit to its US operations while, on this side of the Atlantic, it is the North American’s expertise in slide-out that will be of interest for vehicles built by the Erwin Hymer Group.