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Ford-Werke GmbH, Cologne, and the Erwin Hymer Group (EHG), Bad Waldsee, announced at the start of the new year that they had signed a framework agreement for the delivery of light commercial vehicles from the Ford Transit and Ford Transit Custom series as basic vehicles for leisure and public transport Motorhomes have locked. In addition, a strategic partnership was agreed that includes a joint view of future customer needs and the legal framework. In essence, this involves issues such as emissions legislation, electrification, digitization, connectivity and the integration of driver assistance systems. Ford also involves EHG closely in the product development process. With the agreement, both companies are reacting to the caravanning boom that has been going on for eight years.
Erwin Hymer Group and Ford
- Framework agreement concluded for Ford Transit and Ford Transit Custom
- Delivery from 2022 as basic vehicles for leisure and motorhomes
- Strategic partnership with close coordination in product development
Ford is the leading manufacturer of light commercial vehicles in Europe. Thanks to the framework agreement, the company can diversify further and thus open up new, high-growth market segments. EHG, the European market leader for motorhomes, is broadening the base of vehicle suppliers for its various brands and thus improving the ability to deliver, which was limited by the semiconductor crisis. As part of Thor Industries, the world's largest manufacturer of leisure vehicles, EHG also sees an advantage in the cooperation that Ford, as a global corporation, not only produces the Transit series in Europe, but also in North America and China.
Wide range from urban campers to large motorhomes
Specifically, the cooperation decided today is about Ford Transit panel vans and low-frame chassis and Ford Transit Custom station wagons, which are used as the basis for camper vans, semi-integrated and alcove motorhomes from the EHG brands. The base vehicles will be produced at the Ford plant in Kocaeli/Turkey and will be delivered in tranches from 2022 to 2024. Among other things, Ford is investing in the expansion of production capacities in Kocaeli and is also strengthening its organization in various European and German corporate divisions.
With the Ford Transit Custom series in particular, EHG serves a growth segment, as these vehicles are suitable as the only vehicle in the household due to their versatility and compact dimensions. With the Transit Custom, Ford offers agile vehicles that can also be used for city traffic, which have a modular structure. The variant with a pop-up roof, which is available for both wheelbases, is enjoying increasing popularity. Because not only most multi-storey car parks, but also many parking spaces cannot be used for vehicles over 2,20 meters due to height restrictions.
Business relationships with tradition
This is not the first business agreement for the two partners. In the early 1980s, the Ford Transit was the basis for the Hymercar - the first camper van from the Hymer brand. In 2004, Ford and Hymer agreed on the delivery of Ford base vehicles for partially and fully integrated camper solutions and for alcove conversions.
Martin Brandt, CEO of the Erwin Hymer Group: “The two Ford Transit series convinced us as the basis vehicles for our brands. Our customers will especially appreciate the variety, the innovative assistance solutions and the attractive design. In addition, Ford has given us a clear strategy for the further development of its commercial vehicle business in Europe. We therefore see an ideal basis for further expanding the long-standing partnership.”
Hans Jörg Klein, Deputy CEO of Ford-Werke GmbH: “We at Ford have many years of experience and a great passion for mobile homes. We are all the more pleased that our two commercial vehicle series, Custom and Transit - and above all the new variants 'Active' and 'Trail' - have convinced the Erwin Hymer Group and that we can now supply another equally strong and innovative partner. We are thus participating in one of the fastest growing vehicle segments in Europe.”
Mobile homes: a changing growth market
In particular, demographic change means a new challenge for providers of motorhomes, but it is also an opportunity for growth. On the one hand, 45,1 percent of all new motorhome registrations in Germany in 2020 were in the 55 to 64 age group. At the same time, however, camping is becoming a lifestyle topic that is also attracting more and more young people – singles and families. This changes the requirements for mobile homes as a whole. On the one hand, this applies to modern floor plans, clever furnishing solutions, trendy accessories and fresh exterior colors including two-tone paintwork. On the other hand, it is about the flexible use of the vehicles - from a mobile workplace to permanent living in a motorhome.
Of course, that wasn't the end of it!
tuningblog has many more news around the topic Camping and RV at the beginning. Do you want to see them all? Just click HERE and look around. Our focus is especially on converted Campers & mobile homes. This means that you will find fewer reports on classic standard motorhomes here, but much more we try to present specially modified specimens that show that the topic is also Tuning is represented in the camping & RV scene. Following an excerpt of the last campers and campers:
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Tip: This is the right battery for the caravan!
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Well prepared for winter camping - thermal insulation for the mobile home
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Mercedes-Benz Vans: Electrifying plans for the motorhome industry
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