Australian RV production on track for record year

Australian RV production is on track for a record year in 2021, with the Caravan Industry Association of Australia predicting as many as 25,000 units built in the 12-month period as local production soars to a "30 year high".

“February manufacturing data indicates the strongest start to a year on record with 3628 units built in the first two months of 2021, a 15% increase from 2020, and the highest level of local production in over 30 years," CIAA CEO Stuart Lamont said.

With significant disruptions to local manufacturing during 2020, the CIAA didn't publicly release annual production figures for last year. However, the industry body said a total of 21,465 recreational vehicles were built in Australia in 2019.

Earlier this year Australia's largest RV manufacturer Jayco, predicted a record sales year of close to 14,000 units in 2021, off the back of the COVID-19 caravanning boom, as waiting lists for most models stretch out to 12 months or more.

RV imports are also up, with total rolling annual imports increasing by 14 per cent to 11,609 units to February 2021, compared to the previous year. RV imports for the first two months of 2021 were 67 per cent higher, to 2540 units.

The Caravan Industry Association of Australia said it was "excited" to announce the rising RV production figures during the first ever 'Australian Made Week' from May 24-30.

According to the CIAA, more than 750,000 recreational vehicles are currently registered on Australian roads, with 90 per cent of these vehicles built locally.

The peak national body said the Australian RV industry contributes more than $23 billion annually to the local economy and has extensive local supply chains that involve more than 6000 businesses across manufacturing, dealerships, servicing, repair and tourism (caravan and holiday parks).

Caravan and RV sales are booming down under, with long wait times for new RVs and rising used prices as Australians replace overseas trips with domestic holidays due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Caravan and Camping Association Industry of South Australia CEO Stuart Livingstone was recently reported as saying that with international borders predicted to remain closed for the foreseeable future, the 'boom' in new holiday vehicles is set to continue.

“What we have at the moment is a very early growth period but there is more to come," Livingstone said.

“There are going to be so many more campers and trailers travelling to regional areas over the next two to three years – it’s going to be huge in the regions.”

As well as supply issues with new caravans, dealers are also struggling to keep up with demand for parts and accessories.

The Victorian RV sector has also received another blow, with caravan parks and RV dealers forced to shut for at least seven days due to a fourth COVID-19 lockdown in the state.

The seven-day circuit-breaker lockdown, which starts today, limits all Victorian residents to a maximum of two hours of exercise a day within 5km of their home.

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