The latest from the forecourts and the factories
Auto-Trail brings back Excel
Auto-Trail is launching a four-model range of compact low-profiles at this October’s Motorhome, Caravan and Camping Show, and repurposing the Excel name from its past.
The Grimsby firm hopes the line-up, based on a Ford Transit, will feature the same style and innovation it says was seen in the old Excel, launched in 2011 but later discontinued.
Details of the new range were still under wraps as we went to press, but the brand is hoping the models, with a wide rear-axle Ford chassis and a relatively narrow body, will appeal to customers moving up from a van conversion or a campervan.
EHG drops Compass
Erwin Hymer is dropping the Compass brand a few seasons after relaunching it in motorhomes. EHG UK says most of its dealers have already switched to other brands within the group.
The move potentially brings to an end another brand with a strong track record in manufacturing motorhomes. Compass was a separate company located a few miles away from the Elddis factory in Consett, County Durham, until it was taken over by The Explorer Group in 1998. For the past few years, the Compass and Elddis line-ups were more or less identical.
The Elddis motorhome range remains unchanged going into the 2024 season, with the only changes being largely cosmetic.
Mobilvetta to offer lighter ’vans
Mobilvetta is bringing in some models on a 3500kg chassis - as two-berths and with a manual gearbox.
For the past few seasons, Mobilvettas have only been available on a 4400kg chassis, meaning only people with a C1 licence can drive them. The new models will display the ‘/2’ suffix to their name to mark them out.
Benimars get a new look
Benimar is refreshing its Fiat-based Mileo range for the new season. Although details were still being finalised as we went to press, we understand that the Mileo models due to make an appearance at the October NEC show will look totally different on the outside.
Four models continuing
