A new brand is set to be launched by Knaus Tabbert before the end of 2024, offering campervans and motorhomes, as well as caravans.
While chief executive Wolfgang Speck (pictured) said it was too early to give exact details about where the brand would sit in the new market, he confirmed a name is set to be unveiled at this year’s Caravan Salon, along with some promotional videos.
The new brand is launching with the aim of helping the company to expand beyond its dealer network. “Our dealers are selling on average 120 units a year, which is way more than our competitors, but that means they are probably full. So to grow more we need to enlarge our dealer network,” he said.
However, the new brand would not be cannibalising the company’s existing brands, he said. Instead, it would probably be more “customer specific” and would most likely be geared towards younger buyers who are after more adventurous touring experiences. He said the X-Pedition 600 van included in Weinsberg’s line-up for the 2025 season was an indication of the way forward.
“We will also introduce a hybrid form of distribution that may well include some direct selling, and will certainly include AI in the sales process,” he added.
The first vehicles from the new brand are likely to emerge in November or December this year, but you can head to our best motorhome manufacturers guide to find out more about Knaus and Weinsberg in the meantime.
The company is also launching a new waterless toilet system called Cleanflex which should be compatible with all its models that do not have bench toilets. Mr Speck said the new system was much cheaper than other new toilet systems on the market, and unlike them can be retrofitted.
“We believe this will open up the market, particularly in the rental sector, where traditionally would-be customers have been put off the whole idea of hiring a motorhome because of having to deal with chemical toilets,” he said.
He added that Knaus Tabbert has been working with German motor sports company HWA on a “range extender” electric engine which would include a fossil fuel element but only to drive the generator.
However development of this project has slowed since the European elections and what the company sees as some backtracking from Government and industry on reaching net zero by 2035.
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