How many motorhomes does a company have to build to become the generic
name for all motorhomes? Well, in 1977 it was 100,000 and in the mid-80s
it was 200,000. “Look!” someone would shout. “There goes a Winnebago
down the highway” — despite the fact that it was a model from another
company halfway across the country.
Today, 50 years later, this heartland treasure has racked up so
many records, it’s difficult to list them all but a few must be
mentioned: listed on the Fortune 500 list, building a 2,000,000-square-foot complex and employing more than 3,000 employees.
Innovation, quality and comfort are words that can be applied
to all Winnebago and Itasca models, but one new model in particular
deserves special attention: the Itasca Navion iQ. Naturally, intelligent
has to be added to the attributes with a name like that, and it is.
With only 24 feet in which to design a well-organized, attractive and
maneuverable vehicle, the engineers and designers have managed to pack a
queen-size bed in a rear slideout, a fully stocked galley with
fold-down faucets, a flat-panel television and wonderful swiveling front
seats, all based on either a Mercedes-Benz turbodiesel or Dodge
Sprinter chassis. This little beauty is perfect for a couple, for short
or long-distance travels.
Winnebago Industries was incorporated under the laws of the
state of Iowa in 1958, and adopted its present name in 1961. The company
was founded 50 years ago by businessman John K. Hanson and others who
convinced a California company to open a travel-trailer factory in
Forest City, Iowa.
For more information: www.winnebagoind.com
