Aussie RVs hit 30-year production high
More than 21,000 caravans and other RVs were built in Australia during 2010 as the industry bounces back from the global economic slowdown
The production of Australian-built recreational vehicles hit a 30-year high in 2010, with more than 21,000 new units produced during the 12 month period.
Figures released by the Recreational Vehicle Manufacturers Association of Australia (RVMAA) indicate a total production of 21,164 RVs in 2010, which is 20 per cent or 3506 units up on 2009, in which 17,658 RVs were built.
Towable RVs made up the majority of production (19,709) versus just 1455 non-towable RVs produced.
In the towable segment, traditional caravans made up 45 per cent (9523 units) of total production, followed by pop-tops at 27 per cent (5714) and camper trailers at 19 per cent (4021).
Leading the non-towable RVs (slide-ons, fifth-wheelers, campervans and motorhomes) were C Class motorhomes – built on light truck chassis and typically weighing 4500 to 5400 kg – which accounted for 4.5 per cent (952).
The figures are based on data sourced from RVMAA members, which includes 78 RVMAA-approved manufacturers, and also include an estimation of units manufactured by non-RVMAA members. The RV industry body has been compiling statistics since 2004, when RV production totalled 16,900.
RVMAA president Richard Raven said the last time more than 20,000 RVs were produced in the one calendar year was in 1980.
"Only in the 1970s did we see higher figures, and many of those were built for on-site use in caravan parks and for mining towns and disaster relief accommodation," he said.
"Growth in caravanning reflects the steadily improving quality and appointments of locally-made RVs, with owners realising they can travel with all of the luxuries of home."
Raven said that production was picking up again after the slowdown during the global economic crisis (GFC) from 2007-09 when many local dealers were stuck with excess stock.
The Australian figures also mirror the recent boom in RV production and sales worldwide, with a new report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc. predicting RV sales in the US to exceed 650,000 units by 2015 while in Europe the sale of motorhomes is predicted to reach 100,000 units in 2013.
The worldwide market for RVs has been reported as having declined by around 40 per cent during the period of the GFC.
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