Auto-Trail

Auto-Trail is a British motorhome manufacturer, established by Bill Boasman and Barry Holmes in 1982.[1] As of 2022, the company employed around 200 staff members at its manufacturing site in Grimsby, Lincolnshire.

Auto-Trail
IndustryRecreational Vehicles
Founded1982
HeadquartersEuroparc, Grimsby, Lincolnshire, UK
ProductsMotorhomes
Websitehttps://www.auto-trail.co.uk/

History

After both working at Astral, Boasman and Holmes worked together at Cosalt in Grimsby, and together founded the caravan division known as Humber Caravan Co. alongside Len Funnell.[2] This caravan division was then renamed as Abbey Caravan Company. Boasman left in 1971 to begin working at Mustang.[3]

In 1982, Boasman created the first coach-built Auto-Trail motorhome, the Auto-Trail Cheyenne, with the Peugeot 504 chassis.[4]

The early 1990s found the Mohawk and Cheyenne models growing in popularity. The Cheyenne range was originally a budget build for the hire fleets, but it became popular with private buyers, so Auto-Trail developed the Rico luxury pack and Sport range.[5]

Auto-Trail was bought out by A.B.I Caravans although Auto-Trail remained at its Grimsby factory. ABI went out of business in 1998 and Auto-Trail was sold to the Italian Ci Group,[1] owned by the larger Trigano Group in 1999.

In 2015, Auto-Trail began an expansion for their Grimsby site. The new production lines were designed to be more efficient and roughly doubled production numbers.

Auto-Trail added the Tribute range into the main Auto-Trail line-up in 2017 after manufacturing moved from Italy to the company's main premises in Grimsby.[6]

Current ranges

Auto-Trail currently produces both camper vans and motor-homes.[7] Additionally, they provide vehicle servicing in the Auto-Trail factory in Grimsby, UK.

References
  1. Jenkinson, Andrew. Motorhomes: The Illustrated History.
  2. Jenkinson, Andrew. Caravans: The Illustrated History from 1960. p. 29.
  3. "caravanhistorie - Abbey". sites.google.com. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  4. "Factory Visit of Auto Trail Ltd". Institute of the Motor Industry. 7 November 2012. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  5. "Our Journey". Auto-Trail. Retrieved 23 March 2022.
  6. "Auto-Trail revises V-Line campervan range and renames Tribute". www.outandaboutlive.co.uk. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  7. "Motorhome Design Awards Winners List_Design Awards Press Sheet" (PDF).
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