In a push to redefine the American RV experience, Italian motorhome manufacturer Wingamm is accelerating its U.S. expansion with a focus on premium service and dealership growth.
Wingamm, known for its compact and stylish European RVs, has opened 10 new service centers across the U.S. The new locations are in Utah, Texas, Tennessee, Missouri, New Jersey, Florida and California.
Wingamm Exclusive North American Distributor Tony Diamond said he wants Wingamm to treat service differently than the traditional RV industry does.
“Let’s go to existing brick-and- mortar service centers that have been around for many years, where their entire focus and passion is service,” Diamond said. “Let’s partner with them, and in doing that, you are going to get the best possible service for your customers because they live and die by providing good service.”
The plan mirrors the automotive industry. In addition to the service centers, Wingamm plans to open more U.S. exclusive dealerships. The company’s first two locations, in Nashville, Tennessee; and Salt Lake City are Wingamm showrooms resulting from converting an existing dealership.
Diamond said Wingamm’s plan for future service expansions is to have one brick-and-mortar authorized service center within six hours of another. He said the manufacturer partners with high-quality, established service providers who are trained and certified through Wingamm.
To tackle one of service centers’ biggest pain points, long repair wait times, Diamond said Wingamm plans to open a U.S. distribution center in the near future.
“We will be warehousing Wingamm parts in the U.S.,” Diamond said. “If our customers, whether they are on the road and a mobile tech goes to make a repair, or they take it into one of our Wingamm authorized service centers and make a repair, that part will be ready for rapid shipment to the service provider.”
Diamond said Wingamm plans to build boutique, high-end retail experiences in franchise dealerships located in urban centers.
“We saw (the RV) dealership model and wanted to improve tremendously,” Diamond said. “Our Wingamm franchise dealerships are all located in the city center. When you show up, you are greeted by a product specialist, not a commissioned salesperson. These franchise dealerships are boutique. They are stylish. You are immersed in the Wingamm experience.”
Diamond said Wingamm is selective in choosing dealer partners to maintain the brand’s exclusivity, luxury and customer experience.
“If a traditional dealer wants to work with Wingamm,” Diamond said, “they are going to have to conform to our vision for a franchise dealership. That is very important to us.”
Wingamm RVs are manufactured in Italy and will remain built there. Diamond said the manufacturer’s Italian production team is renowned for its quality and craftsmanship.
