Series reduction for Burstner: Original count of 15 series down to 3.
Cutting to the Chase: Burstner's Tsunami of Change - A Triumphant Three Remain
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Burstner, the renowned motorhome and caravan manufacturer, is making headlines in the caravanning world with a groundbreaking transformation. A radical downsizing for the 2026 model year has seen the elimination of 15 previous motorhome model lines, leaving only three to stand the test of time. This unprecedented move, announced at the Düsseldorf Caravan Salon (29 August to 7 September), is a first in the caravanning industry.
Shaking Things Up: The Man Behind the Madness
The mastermind behind the radical transformation is Hubert Brandl, a seasoned caravanning industry veteran, who joined Burstner as CEO last November. Brandl has already made waves in the industry as the CEO of luxury manufacturer Niesmann, where he's been instrumental in its success since 2005. Scrutinizing the issues within Burstner, Brandl asserts that the company was burdened with an overly extensive and blurred product range, devoid of unique selling points. He also highlights the strong focus on compact urban campers and a bland design, along with an outdated marketing slogan, "Wohnfühlen."
In a bid to revitalize the brand, Brandl believes that a bold, courageous action is necessary, along with a fresh logo and a new English claim: "Discover the better."
The New Players: Papillon, Habiton, and Signature
A new era for Burstner will kick off in late August, with three entirely new model lines ready for their grand debut: Papillon, Habiton, and Signature. The entry-level contender is the Burstner Papillon, a camper van based on the Fiat Ducato with a 120-horsepower diesel engine. Inspired by the concept of returning to our roots, it is modestly outfitted. The Papillon features a rear transverse bed that can accommodate two bicycles, a kitchen equipped with an induction cooktop (optional cooler box or gas cartridges available) and a bathroom customizable with various toilet options (cassette, separable, or dry toilet). The base model, Papillon PC600, promises affordability starting at €40,000 on-road.
The Habiton, also a box van, is built upon the Mercedes Sprinter. The exemplary innovation comes from a novel, versatile solution that Burstner has patented: a sliding wet room. During the day, the wet room is nestled behind the spacious four-seater seating group in front, extending deep into the left bed. For nighttime use, the two-seater bench and table are repositioned, the cabin moves forward, and an additional section folds down from the bed. This space-saving design offers a unique selling proposition to attract potential buyers.
Four decorative choices for doors and cabinets, complemented by various upholstery colors and materials, allow for almost 100 different combinations. The price advantage is undeniable, with the rear-wheel-drive version starting at 73,000 euros and the all-wheel-drive version available for 87,000 euros. In an increasingly competitive Sprinter market, the Habiton's "jaw-dropping" prices cannot be overlooked, especially considering that a fully equipped all-wheel-drive Sprinter from Pössl costs around 10,000 euros more.
The Final Act: The Signature
The third model, the Signature, caters to devoted Burstner customers who prefer part-integrated vehicles. The goal of this model is to provide maximum flexibility through the use of a patented 90-degree rotating seat bench, a ceiling-high extendable sideboard as a room divider between the kitchen and sleeping area, a sizable 143-liter drawer refrigerator with a compressor, and an expandable kitchen with the option of two doors.
An optional pop-up bed, cleverly designed to virtually disappear when not in use, ensures ample storage space. The Signature's decors, upholstery, and colors, similar to the Habiton, offer ample scope for personalization, with both single and queen bed configurations available. In essence, the Signature corresponds closely to the Niesmann iSmove-Liner as a part-integrated model from Brandl's former company, with the Fiat Ducato as the base vehicle at launch, and the Sprinter variant following a few months later, priced at €77,000.
Warm-Up Act: Special Edition B66 Models
To keep potential customers engaged prior to the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf, Burstner will introduce B66 special models in July. Based on outgoing models, these vehicles offer generous equipment and attractive prices to pique the curiosity of the target market. For instance, the B66 part-integrated model, derived from the Lyseo, will be offered starting at €79,000 with both single berths and a queen bed available for an additional €1,000. Comparatively, the old model would have cost at least €97,450. The B66 camper van, a comprehensively equipped six-meter box van on a Ducato base with a transverse bed in the rear, grants a price advantage of around €12,000, starting at €60,000.
These vehicles will be produced as long as there remains demand, while the B66 Urban Camper as a Copa edition model, priced starting at €70,000, will only be sold from remaining stock.
A Tidal Wave of Revolution - Caravan Edition
Burstner's radical realignment is not limited to motorhomes. In the caravan sector, the product range is being replaced by eight floor plans of the B66 special model and the entry-level price is slashed by €5,000 to €25,000. The specifics of the changes to Burstner's caravan offerings have not been disclosed yet.
Stay tuned for more updates from Burstner's dramatic reinvention on their journey towards the Düsseldorf exhibition, starting in late August. The event will serve as an opportunity for the company to connect and advise potential customers on the new models. No on-site dealers will be present, as is the case with other volume brands.
- In the realm of finance and leadership, Burstner's Tsunami of Change is reshaping businesses within the caravanning industry, with a bold move towards a streamlined manufacturing line of just three model lines – Papillon, Habiton, and Signature.
- The Paperion, Habiton, and Signature model lines, unveiled as part of this transformation, represent a fusion of innovation, design, and affordability in the caravanning manufacturing sector.
- As Burstner pushes forward with this radical transformation, the influence of its business leaders, like Hubert Brandl, extends beyond the caravanning industry, into sectors such as finance and power, driving change and rejuvenating the industry as a whole.
