Experience Tomorrow Today A Journey Through ... - 50 Jahre HYMER

Experience Tomorrow Today
A Journey Through Time

Erwin Hymer: a pioneer for
50 years and his name
a synonym for motorhomes.
A cosy get­together in the Troll at
the end of the 50‘s: Erwin Hymer
with family and colleagues.
All the Hymer brothers and sisters
try out the Troll berths.
Just for the photographer:
Erwin Hymer and managers test
the sleeping comfort.
A party of six in the Faun of
1957.
Gertrud Hymer in the mobile
Hymer cooking studio.
Holidays in the Hymermobil:
Erwin Hymer with his wife Gerda.
Erwin Hymer has accomplished something
which few have achieved in the industrial
history of Germany: his name has become
a generic term for the product he developed –
the motorhome.
“Hymermobil” or “HYMER” stand for integrated
motorhomes – no matter what their
make, and not just in German­speaking
countries.
There‘s no simple recipe for this “cultural”
success, but there are reasons: “You have to put
the right product on the market at the right
price and at the right time,” says Erwin Hymer,
trying to capture this phenomenon in words.
And it calls for pioneering spirit and vision
geared to customer needs. So it is that
Erwin Hymer‘s ideas have helped to shape the
last 50 years‘ history of travel and camping.
It all began in 1957 in his father‘s small
workshop ...
The engineer, inventor and businessman Erwin Hymer knows his products
inside out: right from the very first Eriba model, he put his caravans and
motorhomes through their paces by trying them out himself with his
family. Each holiday he came up with lists of new ideas and suggestions
for improvement in the interest of one paramount objective: to push
holiday pleasure and comfort to new heights.

50 years ago the very
first Troll hit the road,
blazing the trail for
many generations to come.
“Puck”, “Faun” and “Troll” are the names of
the first caravans developed by Erwin Hymer
together with his partner Erich Bachem,
building on ideas derived from aircraft and
vehicle construction.
Nobody would have thought in those days
that fifty years down the road these principles
would still be going strong: most of the
original models are still in the range today,
continuously updated and optimised, but
still featuring the optical and technical
details typical of the first series.
This impressively documents what a great
coup the two inventors pulled off! In 1959
the young company was already producing
455 caravans a year – today HYMER is one of
Europe's leading motorhome and caravan
manufacturers!
Extract from the “Motor und Fahrer” magazine, 1957:
“Erich Bachem, the well­known aircraft designer, sat down and
designed three prototypes, which were developed for mass production
and then manufactured the same year by the company Alfons Hymer,
Bad Waldsee. This marked the birth of the ERIBA brand, which shot
up through the ranks to join the front­runners in the German caravan
industry.”

From day one, we designed
not “just” leisure vehicles
but “Hymermobils”.
Alongside caravans, Erwin Hymer turned his attention
in 1960 to a new vehicle category: the “motor holiday
flat” – the motorhome for extra mobility and a new
dimension of travel experience.
The Caravano based on the Borgward 611 was produced
in 3 different models until Borgward dropped out as
a partner in 1961.
10 years later Erwin Hymer again broached the subject
of motorhomes and started an unprecedented success
story.
First came the semi­integrated “Hymermobils” (the
generic term is born!) and then a move which caused
a furore: the production of fully integrated motorhomes
incorporating the driver's cabin in the living
area and a distinct front design.
This concept revolutionised the industry – and
changed the face of traffic.
It doesn't take long until anyone travelling on European
roads meets a Hymermobil.
The historic milestones of
the Hymermobils: the smart
Borgward, the semi­integrated
Hymermobil 462 with caravan
body, the luxurious and legendary
Hymermobil 900, and the 1979
S­Class with Mercedes­Benz
chassis.

A pageant of 50 years
of HYMER history.
Over 200,000 HYMER vehicles have so far left the workshops to roam the
holiday resorts of this world. That is well over 200,000 globetrotters, couples
and families across several generations to whom HYMER has offered a home
away from home, wherever their travels took them. How many photo albums
are brimming with holiday memories, how many places have been explored
and how many miles travelled? How many discoveries have been made, how
often have pleasures been enjoyed and the comfort revelled in – with a dependable
partner from the house of HYMER.

In 50 years we have often woken up with an idea for tomorrow.
1957: Prototype of the first Troll · aerodynamic steel tube cage design 1961: Prototype of the first motor-
home “Caravano” 1964: Awning pull-in track 1966: Nova range · winding roof-light · scissor-type table
support · frameless window · wheelhouse refrigerator 1971: Development and design of the Hymer-Mobil
1971­73: The brand name “Hymermobil” is coined 1976: Fold-down front double bed 1978: Development of the
PUAL bodywork · driver‘s door for integrated motorhomes 1979: The “B-Class” and “S-Class” brand names
are established 1981: Design of the most popular layout “544” 1984­85: 6-year ingress warranty for all
HYMER motorhomes 1990: Company reorganisation to form a public limited company 1993: Introduction of
the HYMERCard · development of HYMER bonding technology 1994: HYMERCard Magazine 1995: Certification
according to DIN ISO 9001 1996: Single-lever central locking for windows 1997: Vario washroom· four-radii
framed window 1999: HYMER-rent 2000: Introduction of the double floor 2004: Celebration of 100,000
motorhomes 2005: Intoduction of style collections · Hymer Van makes its world debut
special model · 25 years B-Class Legend 25 2006: The B-Class wins
the “Golden Steering Wheel” Award

We've been the leisure
movement for young
and old for 50 years.
There‘s no such thing as the typical caravan or
motorhome enthusiast. There are adventurers,
bon vivants, those seeking independence,
classical campers, camping novices, families,
senior citizens, go­getters, fun­seekers, those
interested in cultural pursuits, and so on and
so forth...
Given the broad spectrum of requirements,
HYMER has always attached importance to
offering a large variety of models and a wide
choice of layouts. This means that the standard
solutions are almost tailor­made and there is
a home on wheels for everyone which fits like
a glove. To ensure that each vehicle layout
and each mechanism is perfectly attuned to
the user, extensive tests are carried out in all
the development stages. One example of this
is the “best ager” simulation in which the
vehicles are tested by designers wearing suits
simulating the mobility spectrum of a “best
ager” and vehicle comfort is optimised on
the basis of the new findings.
So at HYMER you won‘t have to search for
the vehicle which suits you down to the
ground. You're sure to find it.
Highly practical motorhomes of sophisticated design are the fruit of thorough development work –
as the pictures of the luxury Hymer S­Class show.

We‘ve set a lot of things
into motion in 50 years:
especially families.
Camping holidays are a highlight
for all children.
They‘re in seventh heaven
in the HYMER caravan or
motor home, thanks to the
family­friendly layouts,
the great bunk beds and
the feeling of being at home
wherever they may be.

What do all strong brands have in
common? They think outside the box
and offer the customer extra performance
and extra services.
That‘s exactly what HYMER does.
Erwin Hymer introduced customer
meetings and customer travel serv ices
almost right from the word go.
Since 1993 the HYMERCard has pro­
vided a comprehensive travel support
service for its holders, which meanwhile
number over 30,000.
Contingency package with mobility
guarantee, financing and leasing
service, HYMERCard­VISA, guided
HYMERCard tours, ferry service,
savings at selected HYMER camping
partners ­ all this has been put together
with one aim: when you're
on holiday you should focus on one
thing – on recreation.
For 50 years
we‘ve been offering you
more than holidays.

For 50 years something over
and beyond good test results has
been our interest: your safety.
HYMER has put practices in place for its motorhomes which so far have been standard only
in the car industry. Sophisticated crash tests and driving safety tests are carried out to
ensure HYMER customers maximum safety.

For 50 years
we have gone
in for quality.
What use is the best innovation, which delights today but
stops working tomorrow? That‘s why HYMER has always
been committed to long vehicle life. With virtues typical of
the Swabian origins: thoroughness, precision and solidity.
And with a passion for pushing the frontiers of quality,
meaning a HYMER accompanies you on holiday not only
today, but through the decades to come.
A couple of reasons why HYMER leads the field in terms of quality:
PUAL construction method
Bonding technology
In the case of motorhomes
the thermal
insulation of a
HYMER­PUAL wall
is equivalent to a
solid brick wall about
80 cm thick.
In the case of caravans
a solid brick wall about
68 cm thick.
All HYMER body shells are based on the patented HYMER­PUAL technology.
The PUAL system ensures extremely good insulation, against
both heat in the summer and cold in the winter, in all HYMER vehicles.
In addition, the construction is absolutely impervious to water and rotproof.
PUAL body components are cast in one piece and are therefore
extremely tough and resistant. The outer skin made of stove­enamelled
aluminium is UV­resistant and easy to clean thanks to the high gloss
finish.
Stove­enamelled aluminium
PU foam
High­quality plywood lining
Plastic edge profile
Copolymer adhesive
As the first manufacturer in the industry, HYMER grants a six­year
ingress warranty for the body and has done so for almost 20 years.
One reason why the vehicles are so impervious is the HYMER bonding
technology. The entire body shell, including the floor, is adhesively
bonded to the chassis. The bonding technology has a further, highly
beneficial effect: since the forces acting on the interior fittings are
diminished, the driving noise is minimised.

For 50 years form has followed
function at HYMER. Flanked by
a feeling for aesthetic details.
Good design strives to enhance the manageability of given
objects. In the design process our designers analyse the
interests of the customer to be served by the design.
The issues they tackle are quite practical ones, such as
making the best use of storage space or planning the ideal
arrangement of the kitchen. They also devote themselves,
however, to elegant forms and colours, and the mix and
match of materials.
The array of prizes won by HYMER vehicles is testament to
our designers‘ expertise.
Prizes from specialist juries. And awards from our customers.
For instance, the B­Class was chosen as the “Motorhome of
the Year” for the 20th time in succession, in 2004 the
T­Class GT won the “Golden Steering Wheel” award conferred
by the German newspaper “Bild am Sonntag” and in 2006
the B­Class won this prize in the well­known public poll.
Erwin Hymer at
the 2006 “Golden
Steering Wheel”
award ceremony.
A selection of the prizes bestowed on HYMER:
2000: Hymer­Nova chosen as the most practical caravan in the
Netherlands • 2001: Hymermobil S 650 elected “Motorhome
of the Year” • 2004: Caravaning Design Award for Hymer-Nova
• T-Class GT won “Golden Steering Wheel” award • 2005: Hymer Van
took second place in the “Golden Steering Wheel” awards • iF Product
Design Award for Hymer Van • 2006: red dot design award for the
Hymer-Feeling • Nomination for the Design Prize of the Federal
Republic of Germany for Hymer Van and Hymer-Feeling • “Golden
Steering Wheel” for Hymer B-Class • The Hymermobil B-Class voted
“Motorhome of the Year” for the 20th time in succession by the readers
of the “Promobil” magazine.

For 50 years we've been masters
of our trade. With state-of-the-
art production technology.
Erwin Hymer planned for production of his products on a
grand scale from the very first model. He produced parts
lists, templates, jigs and fixtures enabling him to start series
production right from the outset. In the expansion of his
works, which are permanently extended, enlarged and modernised,
Erwin Hymer has proved also to be a talented master
builder and architect.
Up to the present. In the jubilee year 2007 a new assembly
hall goes into operation in Bad Waldsee. On an area of over
24,000 m 2 HYMER vehicles will be produced on four assembly
lines using state­of­the­art production technology – like in
the car industry. All customers can see for themselves on a
factory tour that HYMER plays a pioneering role in the
industry.

Showcasing 50 years of expertise.
And a package of golden extras.
Our Gold Edition jubilee vehicles embody a wealth of knowhow
gleaned from 50 years of manufacturing caravans and
motorhomes. Plus that little bit extra – because there’s someone
special we want to give a present to on our birthday:
our customers.
That’s why the Hymermobil B 514 SL and Hymer­Nova 465
have been brought out in a limited edition featuring a galaxy
of technical innovations and exclusive furnishings and fittings.
You’ll soon be off on your travels and celebrate the golden
times.

For more than 40 years, Euramax has been a partner
in the market for recreational vehicles. Our pre­painted
aluminium¬ strips have been adding colour to
motorhomes and caravans from all over the world
for decades now and ensure a high level of cleaning
convenience. More information is available at:
www.euramax.eu
One of the bestsellers from Ford is the Transit, which
has been sold far more than 5 million times in a time
span of over 40 years. The current Ford Transit chassis
for motorhomes is again geared to the requirements
of HYMER and its customers.
Mercedes­Benz is the HYMER partner for premiumclass
motorhomes. The robust and dynamic Sprinter
chassis provides everything one expects from a Mercedes
in terms of ergonomics and handling: a comfortable
cockpit and suspension, engines meeting Euro 4 emission
standards with modern gearboxes, delivering powerful
acceleration. This combination results in the highest
standard of vehicle dynamics, driving smoothness and
driving safety.
As a long­standing partner of the HYMER Group, the
Santander Consumer Bank AG and HYMER­finance, a
service centre of the Santander Consumer Bank, support
HYMER customers and contract partners in all
matters concerning financing and leasing.
As the market leader in the segment of automobile
financing among banks independent of any manufacturer,
we offer individual financing and leasing
program¬s for trade and end­customers.
The Fiat Ducato is Europe‘s top-selling chassis for
motorhomes. The versatility and mechanics of the
Ducato permit hassle-free and efficient body construction
of all kinds of special­purpose vehicles,
creating an ideal symbiosis between Fiat automotive
engineering and HYMER motorhome expertise.
Driving safety, driving smoothness and maximum load.
The AL­KO chassis guarantee optimal driving safety,
perfect vehicle dynamics and excellent driving smoothness
by virtue of their perfectly matched com ponents.
These qualities mean that AL­KO is a partner totally
suited to HYMER.
Holzbearbeitung Kraus GmbH is Germany‘s largest
supplier of pre­finished, light­weight tops for tables,
washrooms and kitchens in the caravan industry.
Over 50 years of experience in the furnishing and
wood machining sector, using the latest CNC and
surface technology, pave the way for the reliable
supply of HYMER.
Stengele GmbH is a competent, flexible and depend ­
able partner for HYMER in respect of wood pro cessing
and plastics technology. So it is that furniture
components and flooring from Stengele guarantee
the quality of the interior of HYMER caravans and
motorhomes. Stengele has operated as a supplier of
the caravan industry for over 50 years. On the basis
of this experience the company develops a wide
spectrum of products to meet all requirements.
dreer CNC­Holzbearbeitung has supplied HYMER AG
with furniture parts and interior components of
motorhomes and caravans since as far back as 1968.
The parts are accurately assembled and pre­fitted
with state­of­the­art machinery. Thanks to this
flexible, customer­ and quality­focused production,
dreer CNC­Holzbearbeitung is an ideal partner for
HYMER AG.
Truma: comfort on the move. Innovative spirit and
inventive talent are Truma‘s hallmarks. Our knowhow
gathered over 50 years stands us in good stead
to constantly improve our products and develop
innovative new products, today and in the future.
Together with our long­standing premium partner
HYMER, we have brought winter camping into being
with our heating systems. And, working hand­inhand,
we will continue to develop products fine­
tuned to our customers' needs.
REMIS designs darkening systems for HYMER motorhome
driver‘s cabins. The integrated solutions provide
complete darkening and reduce temperature change.
REMIS stands for over 30 years of technical expertise,
innovativeness and creativity in designing and producing
functional products.
HAPPICH, a company of the GHE Group, is Europe‘s
leading specialist for interior systems and components
for vehicles of all kinds.
The Group provides its customers all over the world
with bespoke solutions concentrating on product
diversity, quality and design.
HAPPICH supplies complete door systems and components
for HYMER vehicles.

For more than 40 years, Euramax has been a partner
in the market for recreational vehicles. Our prepainted
aluminium strips have been adding colour
to motorhomes and caravans from all over the world
for decades now and ensure a high level of cleaning
convenience. More information is available at:
www.euramax.eu
One of the bestsellers from Ford is the Transit, which
has been sold far more than 5 million times in a time
span of over 40 years. The current Ford Transit chassis
for motorhomes is again geared to the requirements
of HYMER and its customers.
Mercedes­Benz is the HYMER partner for premiumclass
motorhomes. The robust and dynamic Sprinter
chassis provides everything one expects from a Mercedes
in terms of ergonomics and handling: a comfortable
cockpit and suspension, engines meeting Euro 4 emission
standards with modern gearboxes, delivering powerful
acceleration. This combination results in the highest
standard of vehicle dynamics, driving smoothness and
driving safety.
As a long­standing partner of the HYMER Group, the
Santander Consumer Bank AG and HYMER­finance, a
service centre of the Santander Consumer Bank, support
HYMER customers and contract partners in all
matters concerning financing and leasing.
As the market leader in the segment of automobile
financing among banks independent of any manufacturer,
we offer individual financing and leasing programs
for trade and end­customers.
The Fiat Ducato is Europe‘s top-selling chassis for
motorhomes. The versatility and mechanics of the
Ducato permit hassle-free and efficient body construction
of all kinds of special­purpose vehicles,
creating an ideal symbiosis between Fiat automotive
engineering and HYMER motorhome expertise.
Driving safety, driving smoothness and maximum load.
The AL­KO chassis guarantee optimal driving safety,
perfect vehicle dynamics and excellent driving smoothness
by virtue of their perfectly matched com ponents.
These qualities mean that AL­KO is a partner totally
suited to HYMER.
Success depends on
many factors. Most
notably on our
partners.
BPW Bergische Achsen KG, a
globally operating supplier of
the automotive and commercial
vehicle industry, develops and
produces complete running
gear and suspension systems
for HYMER.
DUROtherm specialises in the
manufacture of high­quality
deep­drawn plastic parts. The
company supplies HYMER with
specific mouldings for motorhomes
and caravans.
Hügler GmbH based in Aulendorf
has operated successfully
since 1988 in the field of cable
assembly for motorhomes and
caravans. Hügler sees itself as a
full service partner, placing its
expertise at HYMER‘s disposal
from the design and development
stages all the way to production.
C.F. Maier produces mainly outer
skin parts for HYMER motorhomes.
The advantages of the
materials used: weight­saving,
stability, as well as excellent
insulating and surface characteristics.
As a market leader in Germany,
Schaudt is a long­standing and
close partner of HYMER AG.
Electronic systems for supplying,
controlling and indicating provide
clear information on board.
Alcan has accompanied HYMER
for decades as its partner
supplying coated aluminium
rolled products and wishes the
HYMER Group continued success
in the future.
www.alcan.com
www.ati.alcan.com
www.alcan­deutschland.com
With their design, development
and production expertise, the
Kerkoc family of TECNOFORM
SPA has accompanied the success
story of HYMER since time
immemorial. Over 200 employees
look forward to continuing
to put all visions in interior
design into practice in future.
FORMTEC – the good name for
innovative products in the field
of vacuum forming and polyurethane
processing. FORMTEC
is a HYMER technology partner
and manufacturer for deepdrawn
plastic components and
PUR mouldings.
Polyplastic is a European market
leader for the production and
sale of plexiglass windows.
The Dutch manufacturer produces
almost all the windows for
HYMER motorhomes and caravans.
The family partnership Reich
GmbH ranks among the European
market leaders supplying the
caravan industry. The product
range encompasses the entire
water supply and disposal system,
fittings, pumps, supply system
flaps, measuring and control
systems, as well as accessories.
Dometic products deliver perfect
convenience and mobility for
every adventure. As a world­
leading system supplier, Dometic
is the partner for the luxury
appliances in HYMER vehicles.
The ten Haaft brothers are
specialised in fully automatic
satellite systems for mobile use.
HYMER builds on this expert
knowledge and know­how in
purchasing the high­quality
satellite systems for motorhomes
and caravans.
Ulmer
Zeitarbeit
Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH
Ulmer Zeitarbeit has been
HYMER AG's reliable human
resources partner for many
years. The company is one of
the largest personnel services in
Southern Germany.
As a specialised financial
institution in the Deutsche
Leasing Group, DIF Bank is a
long­standing partner in financing
matters for dealers and manufacturers
in the caravaning
industry and for the HYMER
Group.
Cobra Deutschland Proco GmbH,
the multimedia and security
systems supplier, provides its
users, including HYMER motorhomes,
with the perfect combination
of security, convenience,
information and entertainment.
Aguti is a market leader for
functional motorhome seats
and a competent partner for
the leisure vehicle industry.
Particularly Aguti Club seats
with integrated 3­point belt
are to be found in numerous
HYMER motorhomes.
Sparkasse Ravensburg has been
HYMER AG‘s house bank for
many years. The Sparkassenfinanzgruppe
awarded Erwin
Hymer the 1st Founders‘ prize
in May.
Deutsche Bank AG is a leading
global corporate and investment
bank with a strong and profitable
private clients franchise.
Deutsche Bank AG and the
HYMER Group have a longstanding,
successful partnership.
The design and development
teams of Pfeifer & Seibel
conceive tailor­made lighting
systems for the HYMER vehicles
and provide support from the
planning stages all the way to
serial production.
Pro industria designs and
develops capital and consumer
goods. True to the maxim “mind
moves matter”, Pro industria
offers HYMER AG design and
development services for
HYMER vehicles.
For the BW­Bank a focus on the
entire spectrum of clients‘
requirements is the measure
of all its activities. The BW­
Bank serves the private and
business clients of the LBBW
Group at 220 locations in
Baden­Wuerttemberg.
Offering attractive products and
excellent terms, AutoEuropa
Bank is the partner for your
mobile future. AutoEuropa Bank
– Finance, Leasing, Insurance.

Photo on the left: Kristian
Köhntopp
For 50 years the world
has been your oyster.
The HYMER contract partners in Germany,
Europe and throughout the world provide
a region­wide service network. No matter
which HYMER centre the customers head
for, they will receive detailed advice and
information, comprehensive support, competent
after­sales service – and, of course, they‘ll
find an array of show vehicles to see the
HYMER advantages on the spot.
The HYMER partners around the globe:
• 53 x in Germany
• 7 x in Switzerland
• 4 x in Austria
• 72 x in France
• 9 x in Spain
• 17 x in Italy
• 1 x in Slovenia
• 1 x in Croatia
• 1 x in Portugal
• 8 x in Great Britain
• 1 x in Poland
• 1 x in Slovakia
• 2 x in Ireland
• 2 x in the Czech Republic
• 1 x in Iceland
• 1 x in Hungary
• 13 x in Denmark
• 14 x in Norway
• 3 x in Sweden
• 6 x in Finland
• 20 x in Holland
• 1 x in Belgium
• 1 x in Luxembourg
• 1 x in Lithuania
• 1 x in China
• 6 x in Japan
• 7 x in Russia
• 1 x in Turkey
• 1 x in Australia
• 1 x in White Russia

Our jubilee
programme:
April 2007 (19. – 22.04.2007)
Grand HYMER birthday party
at our contract partners‘ premises.
Experience the premiere of the
Gold Edition firsthand.
June 2007 (22. – 24.06.2007)
Birthday party at Europa-Park in
Rust near Freiburg. Great programme
for all HYMER friends.
August / September 2007
(25.08. – 02.09.2007)
Caravan Salon Duesseldorf with
lots of additional birthday surprises.
May 2008
Grand birthday party with
our customers at HYMER AG,
Bad Waldsee.
You‘ll find further information
and the exact dates and conditions
for taking part at
www.hymerwird50.de
Although the content has been checked, printing
errors cannot be excluded.
HYMER AG
Postfach 1140
D-88330 Bad Waldsee
Phone +49 (0) 7524-999-0
Fax +49 (0) 7524-999-220
www.hymer.com
05/2007/GB