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AUSTRALIA'S new Winnebago RV company has been officially launched in
Victoria.
A formal ceremony was held on February 10 at the Melbourne Showgrounds,
with Winnebago USA Towables president Johnny Hernandez in attendance.
Winnebago RV chief executive Luke Trouchet said the entire Winnebago
Australia range of caravans, motorhomes and campervan then went on display
the following day when the 6-day Victorian Caravan, Camping and Touring Supershow opened at the showgrounds.
"It's a great way to start 2015 and with our recent announcement of the
first of our national dealership network, Winnebago RV has well and truly
arrived," he said.
"The brand represents freedom and fun, and we're sure the inaugural 2015
range will generate great interest from Australian travellers."
Mr Trouchet said the Apollo Group had "jumped at the chance" to bring the
Winnebago product to Australia.
"This is only the start – we have been overwhelmed with interest from
dealers and we expect to establish a national dealership network both in
Australia and New Zealand during 2015," he said
Mr Hernandez said his company was proud to partner with Apollo Group in
Australia and New Zealand.
"Winnebago is to RVs what Hoover is to vacuum cleaners or Kleenex is to
tissues ... it is synonymous with the RV lifestyle and we are extremely
confident about the range that will be sold here in Australia and in New
Zealand," he said.
The 2015 Winnebago RV range had been designed combining the best of their
manufacturing from North America with Australian market knowledge and
expertise, he added.
Winnebago RV's fleet is a combination of US-built and Australian-designed
caravans and fully Australian-built motorhomes.
All models are built for Australian conditions and prices will range from
$40,000 for compact caravans through to $170,000 for top-of-the-range
motorhomes.
Winnebago RV is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Australian-owned Apollo
Motorhome Holidays, which announced a licencing deal with Winnebago
Industries last July.
US Winnebago Industries chief executive Randy Potts said the new range of
Winnebago RV Australian-built motorhomes captured the essence of the
brand.
"Australian motorhome travel requirements are unique and diverse, and we
are very pleased with the quality and design of the motorhomes carrying
the Winnebago brand," he said.
Custom designed specifically for Australian conditions and aesthetic
tastes, the Winnebago Minnie caravan has in recent years become an
‘American classic’ and is reportedly already creating great anticipation
among dealerships in Australia.
Each of the four Minnie models captures the very best of modern caravan
design, from the compact 2.1m 3-berth Minnie 1806AUS to the
ground-breaking 8m, 6-berth Minnie 2406AUS complete with electric
slide-out panel.
Traditional US interiors have been redesigned in collaboration with both
US and Australian design teams to suit Australian traveller preferences.
While a platinum grey exterior finish is the standard, the bright Minnie
exterior options ‒ currently orange, green, red, and yellow ‒ are expected
to meet with traveller approval.
"We think modern Australian caravan lovers, especially families, will
really connect with the Minnie and we look forward to seeing it on the
road around the country," Mr Trouchet said.
* Winnebago RV is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Australian-owned Apollo
Motorhome Holidays.
Iowa-based Winnebago Industries now allows Apollo exclusive use of certain
Winnebago trademarks on motorhomes, campervans and caravans across
Australia and New Zealand.