[ da “Elaborare” ]
Test accessorio Tenda Zifer-Autohome Overland Pratica, comoda, economica e veloce. Non serve altro per descrivere i pregi di una tenda da tetto, in voga nei raid e nei viaggi off road sin dagli anni ’70. Abbiamo provato la Overland di Zifer.
The Autohome tents that you find in our range were all designed in the department where I work: I am Alex Gozzi and I work in the Research & Development department, mainly liable for the shape and the design of the products. My task is to achieve a distinctive aesthetic, able to combine style and functionality, a challenging job that requires vision and collaboration among the team members. In addition to coordinating my fellow designers, I optimize production and deal with quality control.
My mission is to improve the tents from every point of view, from the opening systems to the implementations necessary for the development of the product. From one year to the next there are many innovations introduced, for example this year we designed a useful key lock that was promptly a real success. Another example is our new solution for fixing the tent to the roof bars through the newly designed “C” guides with an optimised section making assembly even more comfortable and safe. We then reviewed all the tent opening mechanisms and the ladder was completely updated in terms of materials and components.
In addition, the team designed a new production system to increase the daily productivity of our departments.
In the spring-summer season, moreover, we are always under pressure, but this year we have recorded a real boom of requests, from all over the world.
What tent do I recommend? There is, of course, no “ideal” curtain. You have to decide on the basis of how you use the product. As for the evolution of the product, I follow a typical philosophy in the mindset of the designers: the best tent is always the latest in terms of design. So, I am talking about our model being fitted on Land Rover Defender.
My manager says that at work I am “a fighting machine”. I consider it a great compliment because I like working. I deal with finishes, a delicate task, with responsibility, because it is often the details that become the expression of the care dedicated by the company to the product, what the customers notice the most. I work mainly in pairs with a colleague, who is also very dynamic and… combative! After all, the rhythm is kept in two, as in rowing, for example. I am convinced that for many of the finishing jobs we women are ideal, more than men. We are very precise and meticulous. Logically, there are also types of operations, such as body finishes and polishing, which require more physical strength… but also for these tasks we trying to cope! After several years at Autohome, I became a bit of a benchmark in my department, and this gives me further satisfaction.
The tent that I prefer, and perhaps this choice of mine will arouse some amazement, is not a shell tent: I personally appreciate the folding model Overland Bordeaux. In particular, that shade of colour fascinates me. Because it corresponds to my desire for imagination and freedom: I think that nowadays a little colour is good for the spirit! I especially love the burgundy in contrast with the gray, as well as contrasted are the bright colours of my bike: white and blue. Oh, I did not say that? My great passion is motorcycles. Better if accompanied by a healthy adventure… If you understood my character and how I travel… then try to keep up with my rhythm!
My job is to “make ends meet”, in practice to check that incoming and outgoing items deliver the desired budget results. Everyone in Autohome knows that Roberto, that is, me, is the one who keeps the company numbers under control.
When it comes to finding the right economic equilibrium, everyone comes knocking in my department! Moreover, together with the marketing department, I work to identify the necessary budget and how to invest to allow the company to grow. It is a strong responsibility, both from an administration and tax point of view, but obviously I am not alone, I have valid colleagues beside me who support me.
Honestly, I never used roof tents directly. But in truth it is as if I had done so, considering all the holiday, travel, and adventure stories I heard in recent years: in the company and by our partners and customers. For example, the story of Nino Cirani struck me since the first day I joined Autohome: pioneering, fascinating, engaging.
I cannot say I have a favourite tent, but I am always attracted to the genuine product, whether it is a shoe, a pair of jeans or a tailored dress. Thus, I can say that Autohome is the “beautiful quality tent”, the Made in Italy product that made and continues to make the history of the tent on the roof, throughout the world. This is confirmed by the data provided by my colleague at the head of the marketing department. I deal with numbers. I notice that Autohome is really a fantastic adventure born in Italy, brought to the five continents and that now more than ever develops “large numbers”.
At Autohome, I deal with administrative services, office paperwork. But in the company, among colleagues, I am known as “Riccardo the motor raider”. My great passion is in fact travel and motorcycle tours. In any case, over the years I “changed my skin a little”, and I increasingly appreciate the car holiday. It is no coincidence that I put the purchase of an off-road vehicle on my bucket list. The long journey around Europe or perhaps in the desert attracts me a lot and sooner or later I will decide to do it.
I think the roof tent is the perfect off-road choice. I share the spirit of adventure and full freedom. It also corresponds to my character: I personally do not limit myself to taking a quiet holiday by the sea, I love true adventure.
I am also a perfectionist: I also look a lot at style, as well as functionality. Perhaps this is why I prefer the Overland tent, the most rational model, without so many frills or parts that can generate noise and instability in the wind, let alone make sailing effect. At night I want to sleep soundly. My favourite colour is Carbon, although Sahari is not bad as well, in any case I do not love the strong and impactful colours, especially when the tent is closed. Grey and black are the dominant colours of each vehicle, as can be seen in the bumpers and tyres: the closed tent will thus be well coordinated with the aesthetics of the vehicle.
Ah, then a good thick, opaque, and breathable fabric is important. I do not want to suffocate or wake up in the early morning. For me, Overland complies with all these desires of mine. A winning tent, always.
One thing I can say right away: for the work I do, I think I know the tents very well, so I can give some advice. In fact, I joined Autohome when I was a little girl, and then I was one of the first women to be part of the management staff. I am therefore well informed about the quality features of the products. I also experienced the evolution of the roof tents market and the new demands of users. The roof tent is a brilliant product, but to make it well you have to make certain choices. They are precisely those that stand out in the Autohome philosophy.
I remember that in 1982 we produced only one model in series, the famous Maggiolina. In those years only the Adventure version was available, in small size and had a large additional roof rack. The “first love”, I would say!
Yet to this day it is still the best-selling roof tent on every continent. At the time, although the numbers produced were reduced, it was already understood that these tents would first take off and would have a great success. To many it seemed like an extravagant idea to think of sleeping on the roof of the car: I do not tell you the amazement and even some laughter when we introduced the tents to the public at the fair! Today everything changed and our company became an international company. I am really proud of this; I have done my part too. In the company they tell me that I have a role of “administrator”, but I am more concerned with purchases. I interact with the personnel in charge, with the agents of the supplier companies and I also manage the fabric packaging departments together with my colleagues. Many different aspects are connected to each other. Perhaps also for this reason I often happen to be the person of the staff that… leaves the company last!
To return to the topic “what to choose”: let us say that every part of the tent passes to the scrutiny of my office and mine personally. In this regard, I can guarantee that we always buy first-class materials and components, a decision that always rewarded us.
Among the more than 100 Autohome solutions, combinations, and matchings we offer, the tent that I personally like the most is always the one that made the history of the sector: our inimitable Maggiolina! The model I prefer has a white shell, while for the fabric I am fine with any colour. Currently it is the gray that meets my tastes the most. Among the elements that lead me to always appreciate Maggiolina there is certainly its unique crank: it allows a comfortable opening but above all a closure without effort. The other components? I could talk to you for hours… it is me who buys them! Happy holidays, everyone.
Buonjour, my name is Liri Pasetti and in Autohome I work mainly on the French market. Every day I work with dealers and customers all over the world as well. I like to be able to speak different languages.
I am French and I love my country, and this is probably the motivation that made me quickly learn the French language and get by well with the map. But not only…
I am a traveller by nature and character: I also organised challenging tours in distant countries. I also lived for a time in Australia, a wonderful land that won me over and that remains in my heart, especially for the natural environments it presents and the freedom it offers.
Personally, the tent I prefer is Overcamp: rational and very comfortable. It takes up little space on the roof of the car and guarantees me space for my mountain bike. As soon as I talk about it, I feel like leaving! Travel and physical activity are just my passions: discovering new things, living different experiences and, when the time comes, also trying to overcome your limits. What else can I say? Only: Happy holidays!
It was a challenging adventure, at times really hard, but we managed to get the roof tent appreciated all over the world. We have a planetary success, a new way of understanding the freedom to travel. We are proud of this result, even more than the important development of our company.
I remember that at the beginning of our activity there were many problems: in particular, the economic funds available were always few, but thanks to so much determination and desire to carry out our project, we were able to take off the company.
A strategic factor was to decide to take part in the sector fairs: in Italy alone more than 10 fairs per year. Every trade agreement we draft was always a win that filled us with satisfaction. However, sometimes we also happened to return to the site disappointed by the poor results. What bothered us morally the most was the fact that some made fun of us for the “strange” product we offered. There were moments that seemed that we had to cross desert, an arid ground destined to make nothing grow. Other than adventures in the dunes in 4×4… it was us who saw success as a mirage!
Producing the first Maggiolina, then, was not easy. In the early years we did not have the technology necessary to combine the quality of craftsmanship to the speed of production. In short, we were not ready to make huge numbers of tents. I remember that we even cut the windows of the curtain one by one, that is, the fabrics with tailor scissors!
I particularly like to remember two episodes that give a good idea of our development. Two parallel Italian stories, one in Mantua with Maggiolina in the land of the Gonzaga and the other in the great Milan, the city that has always been the productive and industrial heart of Italy. There would be many stories to tell, but in particular I remember these two episodes for the meaning they have. So, I always remember a German manager, owner of a large communication agency, who told to me: “You are Italian, therefore in a better place than me who am German. You are more inclined to fun and happiness, therefore more inclined to express creativity and imagination, unlike me who was educated to reveal less of my emotions”. Another episode that I always take with me is the dialogue with an important French manager who told me: “You are Italian so you are good at cooking, so you know that to make a great dish there are many ingredients that must be carefully dosed.”
Also, with regard to memory, it is important to stress the great satisfaction thanks to the collaborative dialogues with the Automotive manufacturers. I did not think I would get that high. A top manager of a very prestigious brand, in one of our meetings, told me: “In Autohome you are amazing with marketing.” In the second meeting, another manager at their headquarters added: “We appreciate Autohome very much and we want to continue to spread the story of the roof tent that binds us together”. Episodes of this type repeated several times and continue to happen. For example, another strong satisfaction at a recent Las Vegas fair, where many customers came to our booth saying: “Beautiful design, you can see that it is an Italian product”. What does my memory have to do with recommending a tent? I think they are consistent with those who are looking for a product that, in tune with the Autohome spirit, guarantees satisfaction, fun, serenity, well-being and, above all, freedom.
Suggesting a specific tent is not easy. Exactly like a father who has to say if one child is better than another… The personalities are quite different. The family values they interpret are important. If you choose an Autohome product, you will certainly be satisfied, because those values are in every tent.
What do I do in Autohome? Everything that is production and business organization. I do not even have a precise role: I am active in every direction and in every department to optimize production lines. Everyone knows they can count on my help and commitment. Because my mission is to make Autohome run in the best way! To be clear, I could be the field commissioner, trainer, or coach of a football team. Everything must work, productivity must not be slowed down even more when half the world is waiting to receive our tents. We are in a phase of great market expansion and therefore I have the task of understanding what to improve to push further on the accelerator. All without giving up even a detail of our renowned quality. The team must run, play well in each department and be winning; the product must be perfect from every point of view.
Moreover, I have always been concerned with the quality and suitability of the goods and raw materials we receive from trusted suppliers. This often means supporting our logistics activities too, so that everything is planned and carried out according to our plans.
Personally, the tents I prefer are those that remain in shape inside the mirrors, practically all the rigid tents with a Fiberglass roof. For example, even the expandable ones could be, if assembled, however, as the mythical Nino Cirani taught us. He rests the ladder on the front bonnet and the entire structure remains in shape. You can then stop everywhere without any problems. Life is already quite stressful, at least while travelling and on holiday we make sure to keep you relaxed to the fullest!
Can you be nostalgic for your company? I say yes because it happened to me! After working for several years at Autohome, I decided to move to London. I lived in the English capital for about 2 years. I wanted to live new experiences overseas. But then I felt the need to return to Italy and resume, with a new position, the job I left. Today I am more than satisfied with working at Autohome. I like to work with my team and above all I like the products I build. When you see that the product you make is of quality, the pleasure increases. I think they are the best tents on the market, no doubt. And I am really convinced and not because I work for the company. Moreover, in Autohome there are high quality standards precisely defined, and then each tent is largely made by hand, one by one. Every one of our tents, many say, has a real soul.
In the company I deal with many aspects of the supply chain, I assist colleagues in different phases. Generally, however, I take care of joining the shells to the fabrics, that is, I carry out assembly work. But I am not limited to this, thanks to my mechanical skills I support a little all departments. If there is something to fix, I’m always the first to be called!
I could not recommend a specific model of tent. I can only stress to never give up an Autohome tent… The real advice is to book the product on time, because especially during the summer the requests are many. What do I remember of my experience in England? Get to know the English language a little better. It is always useful because it is spoken around the world. But when it comes to curtains there is only one universal language, that is Autohome!
Since 2017, I have been organizing and planning production at Autohome. In fact, every day, I plan the tasks and activities of the many people who work to make our tents. My “mission” is to make sure that all the “company gears” turn in the right direction, trying to best meet the growing demand for products from around the world.
It is a commitment that can give great satisfaction, even if it involves you as in a daily challenge. In fact, I constantly struggle with the supplies, which often arrive late, not to say at the last minute. Sometimes I have to work real miracles. There was someone who knew how to multiply the loaves and the fishes: well, I have to multiply… the tents!
Personally, I am a sunny character, and I always appreciated the beautiful season. Since working at Autohome, I also started to appreciate winter. Why? Simple: it is the time of year in which we can take a little breath because there is a natural slowdown in shipments. Of course, I am joking we are all very happy with the growing success of our tents.
The Autohome tent model I prefer? It is Airtop Black Edition. On functional features is a world reference. On aesthetics, I am just saying that black for me is the colour of absolute elegance. It never old-fashioned. It is also perfect for the design of my car. Also, in terms of style Autohome can give much more than all the others. Autohome has always been number one, if nothing else… for the miracles it knows how to do!
