EarthCruiser Announces Its New Business Plan for Sales To Upfitters

[AbleGuy]

Bend's EarthCruiser, which closed its plant a year ago, outlines bold new plans for the future of overland travel

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)-- EarthCruiser recently announced the completion of a major milestone: the final direct customer-ordered EarthCruiser EXP in the build queue has been completed and delivered. But the Bend company that closed its American Lane manufacturing facility a year ago also outlined its...

ktvz.com

https://ktvz.com/news/business/2025...-new-plans-for-the-future-of-overland-travel/

Bend’s EarthCruiser, which closed its plant a year ago, outlines bold new plans for the future of overland travel​

KTVZ NEWS, BEND, OREGON
Barney LertenMay 20, 2025

EarthCruiserEarthCruiser MOD300

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)-- EarthCruiser recently announced the completion of a major milestone: the final direct customer-ordered EarthCruiser EXP in the build queue has been completed and delivered. But the Bend company that closed its American Lane manufacturing facility a year ago also outlined its big new plans for the future.

“This is a proud moment for us,” said EarthCruiser founders Lance Gillies and Michelle Boltz. “Delivering EXP #107 not only fulfills our promise to our customers — it marks the beginning of a bold, innovative new future for EarthCruiser.”

(Here’s the rest of their press release)

With this achievement, EarthCruiser closes an incredible chapter and embarks on a transformative journey to make authentic overland experiences more accessible than ever before.

New Operational Model to Expand Overland Accessibility

EarthCruiser is officially launching a new operational model that will expand its reach and impact. Moving forward, the company will supply EC MOD slide-in campers and EarthCruiser Terranova shells to select adventure van builders and upfitters across the United States for interior fit-out.

In development is the highly anticipated EVADO  for the Sprinter chassis, along with additional offerings including  towable options. This innovative strategy allows EarthCruiser’s trusted engineering and design to reach a broader audience while empowering local builders and service providers.

“This shift isn’t just about distribution,” said Gillies. “It’s about realigning with the core values that EarthCruiser has stood for since the beginning — craftsmanship, innovation, and a genuine commitment to our customers.”

The company’s new approach focuses on making EarthCruiser decades of experience more available and attainable for more recreational vehicle users. It emphasizes long-term customer relationships and partnerships with independent U.S.-based businesses that share EarthCruiser’s values.

“Too many people today have been disappointed by mass-produced recreational vehicles badged as ‘overland,’” said Gillies. “Legacy RV manufacturers offer affordability — but often sacrifice quality and true innovation. Today’s RV owners want something more: community, authenticity, and connection. We're here to help them find it.”

“From day one, we’ve believed in the power of small-town manufacturing and skilled local tradespeople,” added Boltz. “Now, we’re scaling that philosophy nationally. When you support local manufacturing, you support your community your neighbors who care about what they do  — and real innovation.”

Supporting Partners, Empowering Customers
Under the new model, EarthCruiser will deliver structurally complete, unfinished MOD and Terranova units to its partner network, allowing customers to customize their vehicles at their own pace and budget — all backed by EarthCruiser’s legendary expedition-grade design.

“Building a real overland vehicle requires a fundamentally different approach than producing large volume mass-produces assembly-line RVs,” said Gillies. “It must be engineered from the ground up with experience and customer requires front of mind, the real needs of the people who use them.” That takes a conversation, not always possible with the traditional RV dealer model. Experience counts.

Innovation will remain anchored in EarthCruiser Innovation in Bend, Oregon, where R&D continues to fuel new ideas. The company is also building a nationwide service network and welcomes customer input on local service providers. 

Adding to the momentum, EarthCruiser is launching Tag-Along Training Tours — immersive adventures where customers can refine their skills, build confidence, and connect with the EarthCruiser community in stunning overland destinations.

“From the very beginning of the overlanding movement in the U.S., our customers have been partners in innovation,” said Boltz. “This next chapter honors that spirit — bringing the EarthCruiser experience to more people while staying true to the values that built our community.”

About EarthCruiser
Founded in Bend, Oregon, EarthCruiser is a pioneer in premium expedition vehicles engineered for global overland travel.

 

[Roam.Wild]

Interesting, we were super interested in the EVADO when they were announced. Will be interesting to see how this goes. Looks like only the Terranova and MODs will go out to outfitter, they will still be doing the other models in house?

“Too many people today have been disappointed by mass-produced recreational vehicles badged as ‘overland,’” said Gillies. “Legacy RV manufacturers offer affordability — but often sacrifice quality and true innovation. Today’s RV owners want something more: community, authenticity, and connection. We're here to help them find it.”

No we want something that doesn't cost $400,000+...

If the EVADO comes out under $250k they will sell well. Anymore than that and they have an uphill battle. A lot of new B+ companies out there that are RVIA certified with really awesome rigs under the $250k mark.

 

[Blackdogvan]

RVIA

What value do you see in RVIA certification for "overland" builders?

 

[Maslin]

What value do you see in RVIA certification for "overland" builders?

Financing and insurance?

 

[Roam.Wild]

What value do you see in RVIA certification for "overland" builders?

Like Maslin said, easier to finance and insure. Us common folk can easily go get a RV loan for something RVIA certified, not everyone has $400,000 in extra cash laying around to purchase an overland rig.

 

[Blackdogvan]

Financing and insurance?

Fair point on insurance. I'd hope to avoid financing a many hundred thousand dollar vehicle purchase myself. My gripe with RVIA is their list of approved equipment is a bit dated. ok back to EarthCruiser talk, sorry for the hijack.

 

[kmcintyre]

I'm not sure of their business model and probably why it failed before... price vs competition.

 

[ExpoMike]

I can see this as a possible win or lose situation. The win is getting the Earthcruiser shell, which would be great but the loss could be, crappy work by other vendors but the Earthcruiser name is tied to it. In the long run, if this happens, it could take the whole Earthcruiser reputation down. People won't be thinking it's the outfitter that made mistakes but Earthcruiser as the overreaching company.

I can also see this being an issue to getting financed or insured, unless the final outfitter supplies some recognized "completed" certification that finance or insurance companies recognize. Will be interesting to see how this plays out.

 

[Steve_382]

I can see this as a possible win or lose situation. The win is getting the Earthcruiser shell, which would be great but the loss could be, crappy work by other vendors but the Earthcruiser name is tied to it. In the long run, if this happens, it could take the whole Earthcruiser reputation down. People won't be thinking it's the outfitter that made mistakes but Earthcruiser as the overreaching company.

I can also see this being an issue to getting financed or insured, unless the final outfitter supplies some recognized "completed" certification that finance or insurance companies recognize. Will be interesting to see how this plays out.

One of the good (or bad) things about the EC before was that they didn't offer much customization. I think their quality was pretty good. As you say, who knows what each upfitter will do. I would have rather seen them try to find an upfitter who could have just figured out how to make them all identical and not have to have so much custom parts that were handmade. Still seems to me that something like the EC Terranova could be put together for under $300,000 and still have $60,000 profit in the rig.