Company Chronicle

• 2011

The success story continues. At the beginning of 2011, Carthago was able to announce yet another milestone. The 1,500th Chic c-line left the factory.  The vehicle was delivered to the happy owner on 31.01.2011. Since it was launched, the Chic c-line has been an extremely successful model on the European motorhome market as demand has constantly increased. In order to meet this increased demand, another production line will be commissioned in the factory in Odranci/Slovenia in May 2011. Carthago will therefore manufacture motorhomes at four different production sites this year.

The number of employees of the Carthago Group also continues to grow.  At the beginning of 2011, the company employed 630 people at the three locations.

• 2009

Carthago is one of the most successful manufacturers of motor homes in the upper middle and upper ranges.The  Caravan Salon 2009 witnessed the highest sales in the 30-year history of the company. The success story continues with the product range making a big impression on the European market.At the same time, the Chic family is extended with a new layout, the Chic e-line gets an innovative facelift with lots of technical improvements and the Chic high-line makes its debut with its own special range of layouts.For the first time, the new Liner is available on the MAN bus chassis.  At the beginning of 2009, the Chic c-line is introduced as a part integrated vehicle at the CMT. At the top of the range, the Chic high-line flag ship is added to the Chic family, and is outstanding with top quality technology borrowed from the premium class.The new Liner on the Iveco Daily 65C is introduced at the same time. Carthago shows what is possible in the top range of motor homes. Another milestone in the Carthago success story.

• 2008

The new Chic c-line range is introduced at the 2008 Caravan Salon. For the first time, Carthago enters into the European 3.5 ton class and thus into a new price and weight segment as well.

The positive performance of Carthago models in that year’s Promobil readers’ poll – a Carthago is voted for the first time as winner of class and the Chic range as the most successful model range in the upper medium class – confirms the high value placed on the product by the customers, the motor home users.

Carthago is on course for growth with more than 300 employees.

Also in 2008, a new plant stretching across more than 50,000 m² is built in Slovenia. Carthago is now producing in three plants. The first Chic c-line rolls off the line of the newly opened Slovenian plant in August 2008.

• 2007

Meanwhile, 260 employees produce more than 1,000 vehicles in the two plants in Schmalegg and Ravensburg. The dealer network is developed further so that outstanding service can be provided locally as well.

Right at the start of the 2008 motor home season, Carthago introduces the new DESIGNA interior design line at the Düsseldorf Caravan Salon. Soon after its introduction, the new Yacht design becomes a model for a new style trend in the motor home sector.

• 2006

Carthago begins an impressive campaign of new models. Two completely newly developed vehicles; the new Opus and the M-Liner. Also, the Chic and Mondial models undergo a fundamental reworking and are introduced at the Caravan Salon in Düsseldorf.

The Chic model range is from now on available on three new chassis; the Fiat Ducato Alko, the Mercedes Benz Sprinter with the Alko low frame chassis and the rear wheel drive Iveco Daily.

• 2005

Due to the overwhelming success of the Chic models at the 2004 Caravan Salon and to satisfy the large volume of customer demand, Karl Heinz Schuler, the Managing Director and owner of Carthago decides to increase production capacities. Within a few months, a new 5000 m²  Chic production plant is built on the Deisenfang industrial estate in Ravensburg. In July, the first vehicles leave production.

• 2004

Carthago employs 110 staff. An integrated model completes the Chic range, the Opus line is completely recreated. The new Mega-Liner is introduced at the Caravan Salon. From 18 – 20 June, Karl-Heinz Schuler celebrates 25 years of the Carthago brand at the Schmalegg plant in Ravensburg, together with customers, partners and friends.

• 2003

Complete reworking of the M-Liner series. Presentation of the Chic T at the Düsseldorf Caravan Exhibition.

• 2002

Introduction of the Chic Alkove series on the Mercedes Benz Sprinter base and later also on the Fiat Ducato with Alko low frame.

• 2001

Cessation of vehicle production with Volkswagen base. Concentration on high-quality motor caravans based on Mercedes Benz Sprinter/IVECO.

• 2000

Transfer of Malibu production to a separate factory with around 2000 m² of production floor space and 100 personnel. Turnover in excess of 30 million, 550 vehicles produced per year.

• 1999

Presentation of the integrated M-Liner series on a Mercedes Benz Sprinter and Iveco Daily base.

• 1998

Facelift of the Mondial series on the Mercedes base. Seven different layouts. Carthago quality policy a central part of company’s success. Introduction of Malibu Champ constitutes peak of achievement after production of 5000 Volkswagen based vehicles.

• 1997

Construction of a new hall in Schmalegg. Total area of production hall, showroom and offices now exceeds 5000 m² on an 11,000 m² site.

• 1996

Introduction of Ethos and Mondial alcove models based on Fiat and Mercedes respectively.

• 1994

50 employees

• 1993

Introduction of Abakus - the first alcove model in the Carthago range.

• 1991

Introduction of the Malibu based on Volkswagen T4.

• 1990

Carthago can claim to be ‘Europe’s second largest converter of bodies based on Volkswagen vehicles’.

• 1989

Expansion of production hall to 2400 m².

• 1987

Move to Schmalegg into a newly built, 900 m² factory.

• 1986

10 employees

• 1985

Specialisation in converting the VW bus. Establishment of GmbH. The Malibu Hit initiates the march of progress.

• 1982

3 employees

• 1981

Move to a 200 m²  workshop at 163 Wangener Street, Ravensburg.

• 01.07.1979

Foundation of ‘Carthago’ by Karl-Heinz Schuler. Tailor-made conversions on any suitable basic vehicle to customer specifications.