Adelaide dealer hosts second Aussie Caravan Expo

The second 'Built here. Backed here' RV expo designed to promote and encourage the purchase of Australian-built caravans and campers in the face of growing numbers of imported models, will be held at the Jayco Adelaide dealership this week-end (October 11-12).

The Aussie Caravan & RV Expo in South Australia follows the running of a similar-style sales and promotional event in Victoria in early September held at JB Caravans' Pakenham dealership, called the Aussie Caravan & RV Street Party.

With free entry to the public, the two-day Adelaide event will showcase not only Jayco RVs, but other "top-tier Australian-made products" according to the new Australian Caravans website. This will include displays of locally manufactured 'vans and motorhomes from brands including Crusader, Supreme, Leader, Goldstream, Avan, Lotus, Concept, Newlands, Avida, JB, New Age and Offline Campers.

Also taking part is car dealer Wayne Phillis Ford, ARB, G'day Parks and Redarc, along with other local businesses including Off Track Wines, Coopers Brewery, Ginny Pig Distillery, Gate to Garnish, Salti Breeze, Electric Bug, Orexi, Fat Blokes Pizza, and Rival Brothers.

While adding to the caravan show-like atmosphere, will be live performances from musicians Alice Haddy and E'nuf Said, Safe Towing Masterclasses presented by SA 4WD Training, and native animal presentations by Animals Anonymous, along with some prize pack giveaways.

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Dealing with a tighter caravan market with fewer buyers, along with a loss of market share due to the increasing number of Chinese-built imports entering the country, the 'Built here. Backed here' campaign is being led by some of Australia's biggest-selling RV manufacturers including Jayco, the JB Group, Avan and Crusader Caravans.

The significance of the campaign was highlighted by Jayco founder Gerry Ryan and JB Group Director Sharon Xue joining forces to 'cut the ribbon' at the inaugural Aussie Caravan and RV Expo in Melbourne in early September.

"We want to really put the spotlight on Australian manufacturing and Australian made products," Jayco’s national head of sales and marketing Scott Jones told caravancampingsales last month.

"Show people who we are and what we do; the importance of buying and supporting Australian made... It's not just supporting your local business, it's supporting local families and local communities. A lot of the businesses put money back into local sport or other generous causes...

"The aim is to get (a few of the local RV brands) together, and while it's only a small display we want to give people a taste of what we can do, the products we offer, and really start pushing Australian manufacturing again."

"We're also trying to generate a bit of excitement and make it more of an experience... Showcase our product and tell them the benefits of buying Australian made, but also (let consumers) gather as much information as they can at the one point," he continued.

"Also, the sites we're holding them on (the new JB Pakenham and Jayco Adelaide supercentres) show people the amount of investment that local businesses are making in local manufactured products, as well as being able to give you the support that you need when you do purchase from a local business.

"The biggest thing for Australian manufacturers and dealers is once they've invested in their business they've got to carry spare parts and have a significant service network and everything, so we're promoting that as well.

"That's really important because once you purchase the product, that's the start not the end."

Jones said the 'Built here. Backed here' campaign was "100 per cent" to do with the heightened threat of cheaper imported products to the local industry.

He said consumers need to be aware that not all imported RV products are compliant or "go through the same rigorous checks and balances that we have to".

"From a local manufacturing point of view we spend a lot of money on R&D and a lot of money on making sure we're compliant (so) we know we can give customers confidence when they walk away from purchasing a locally-made product that we're compliant to all the Australian regulations," Jones said.

"We're trying to do it as a collective and (are) coming together as a group of manufacturers.

"The ultimate goal is roll (the events) out around the country, so that everyone gets the opportunity to look at locally manufactured products and speak to the experts, including the (local) accessory suppliers."

Jones said the success of the initial two events in Melbourne and Adelaide would determine if other 'Built here. Backed here' events are held in other states.

When: October 11-12, 10am-4pm daily
Where: Jayco Adelaide, 130 West Beach Road, West Beach, South Australia
More info: Australian Caravans website