Australian RV production plummets
Rising imports and slowing market cause dramatic drop in local RV productionThe number of caravans, camper trailers and motorhomes built in Australia dropped significantly last year, according to figures released by the Caravan Industry Association of Australia.
The CIAA said a total of 21,465 recreational vehicles were built in Australia in 2019 – 541 fewer or a seven per cent decrease compared to 2018.
“This represents the lowest annual production since 2014, although it does represent the 10th consecutive year of production exceeding 20,000 units,” the peak industry body said in its monthly production report.
Caravans continued to retain the market share of all towable production, accounting for 67 per cent (13,434) followed by pop tops (19 per cent - 3758 units) and camper trailers (12 per cent - 2,477 units).
While C-Class motorhomes comprised the bulk of local motorhome production (46 per cent - 684 units) followed by B-Class motorhomes (34 per cent - 497 units) and campervans (20 per cent- 292 units).
The CIAA cited a number of factors behind the drop in demand for Australian-built RVs in 2019, including "tough retail conditions, weakened consumer confidence, a decline in the housing market and global trade restraints".
Other contributing factors included the growth in the RV sharing economy and greater demand for second-hand RVs.
The growth in the imported RV market is also having an adverse affect on local RV production. According to latest ABS figures, a record-high 10.404 caravans and camper trailers were imported to Australia in 2019 – 4.7 per cent up on the previous year.
Most of these RVs (9769) arrived from China.
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