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NEWS
AusRV debuts at Newcastle
But slick new Aussie vans from MDC Group a no-show at MelbourneAustralia’s newest RV nameplate will debut at the Newcastle Caravan, Camping & Holiday Expo from February 9-12, with AusRV currently adding finishing touches to its first Brisbane-built models.
Established by the MDC Group, best known for its Chinese-built and imported camper trailers and hybrid off-road pop tops, AusRV represents the first salvo in a major expansion into locally-built larger caravans and – later, pop-tops and motorhomes – by the locally-owned entity.
The first two of what will soon become a 10-model range that will include both on and off-road family bunk vans ¬– a 22ft Byfield All-Roader and a 19ft Finke Off-Roader – are currently being completed in MDC’s new 5000 sq.m. factory in Coopers Plains, adjacent to its previous Australian HQ.
If the AusRV products take off as perceived by ex-Jayco Manuifacturing Manager Kevin Edwards, AusRV will expand into another adjacent 2500 sq.m. undercover property next door and expend its workforce from its current 10 to as many as 150 by the end of 2017.
However despite its well-established MDC parentage that the company claims has seen more than 20,000 campers and pop-tops sold in Australia over the past decade, AusRV ironically will not be seen at Australia’s largest caravan show – the Victorian Caravan, Camping & Touring Supershow held from February 22-29 at the Melbourne Showgrounds.
The CTIA (Victoria) has a policy that doesn’t allow new brands to display at its shows until they’ve been on the market for 12 months or more and while MDC will be there in force with its campers, AusRV will not.
A similar fate befell long-established Regent Caravans a few years ago after the 30-year old Australian company moved into Chinese ownership.
“It’s disappointing,” said Edwards, who was Jayco’s Manufacturing Manager for 18 years before leaving a year ago to take up other industry roles culminating in his AusRV appointment.
“It’s not as though MDC is a 'new kid' on the block. However we will be out in force at other major Australian regional shows this year.”
Key features of all AusRV caravans will be their common 150mm x 50mm draw bar and main chassis rails and their fitting of similar composite fibreglass and styrene foam sandwich wall panels to those fitted to Zone RV caravans.
A thick composite, sandwich panel floor similar to that used by Zone RV is also used, adding to rigidity and thermal efficiency, while saving on chassis weight.
Weight is a big issue for AusRV, with Edwards initially hoping to get the tare (empty) weight of the 22ft Byfield All-Roader close to 2200kg and mildly disappointed that the first pre-production unit tipped the scales at close to 2350kg. However, carrying capacity is an above-average 650kg.
However, its price is not far above target at $79,990 (ex-Qld) fully equipped. The 19ft Finke All- Roader should retail for $69,990, with Off-Road versions of each costing around $10,000 more.
Edwards is more confident that with production refinements, the 19ft version of the Byfield with its optional rear-entry door will weigh closer to the two-tonne target mark, making it ‘Prado-friendly’.
However he and Business Development Manager Richie Fort believe that Finke models, which will come standard with the more rugged AL-KO Enduro Outback suspension, a DO-35 hitch, side scrub bars, rear-mounted MaxTrax and more battery and solar power, will initially be AusRV’s best sellers.
A new AusRV website is expected to go live in a couple of weeks.
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Written byMichael Browning
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Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
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