Laika was founded by Giovambattista Moscardini in 1964. He named his new company after the first dog to be sent to space and also incorporated the greyhound into their logo. Their first caravan was produced in 1964, the ‘Laika 500’, a very innovative product as the upper part of the caravan had a telescopic mechanism which meant it could be lowered while driving. This ensured better aerodynamics and that it could even be towed by a Fiat 500! The first Laika motorhome, the ‘Motorpolo’ was produced in 1974. Today Laika motorhomes are produced in San Casciano in Val di Pesa, the Chianti region of Italy. Laika joined the Erwin Hymer Group in 2000.