Winnebago America drives Down Under

It’s official!

The American Winnebago brand has arrived Down Under, with Queensland-based Apollo Motorhome Holidays striking a licensing deal with Iowa-based Winnebago Industries to offer a range of Winnebago-branded RVs in Australia and New Zealand.

However, don’t expect a range of super-sized, coach-based Winnebago motorhomes as seen in Hollywood movies arriving any time soon.

The new Winnebago-branded models are not that different in size and style to motorhomes and campervans already offered by Apollo’s local Talvor brand, and will be designed and built in Australia under licence, at Apollo’s factory in Northgate, Queensland.

Currently listed on the new Winnebago RV website are four motorhomes and one campervan model, based on familiar Fiat Ducato and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans and cab-chassis.

As part of the deal, Apollo will also be importing a range of US-designed and built Winnebago Minnie caravans. These include four tandem axle models, three with slide-outs and from 19 to 26ft long.

Apart from distinctive American styling, the caravans promise some interesting features like ducted air-conditioning and close to one tonne payload on some models.

As well as standard white, brave Australian buyers will also be able to choose from a range of bright colours for the glass fibreglass exterior including red, yellow, green, orange, and pink.

Pricing starts around $40,000 for the Winnebago caravans, up to $170,000 for the range-topping motorhomes.

There’s currently only one Winnebago dealer, at Apollo’s facility in Brisbane, but Apollo is hoping to create a nationwide dealer network.

However, the availability of new Winnebago-branded RVs in Australia could prove confusing for buyers, with NSW-based Avida RV already using the Winnebago logo on some of its NSW-built caravans and motorhomes.