Australian RV production remains strong

The COVID caravan boom may have reached its peak last year, but the number of locally produced and imported recreational vehicles entering the Australian market remains strong, according to the latest figures from the Caravan Industry Association of Australia (CIAA).

For the first five months of 2023 (May YTD), the CIAA reported 12,583 RV units produced locally, up 23.4 per cent compared to the previous year. RV production for the month of May was also up by 30.1%, at 3001 units.

Most RVs produced in this period were caravans (8308), followed by pop-tops (2060), camper trailers (1603), motorhomes (393), tent trailers (143) and campervans (76). The CIAA said none of the larger A-Class motorhomes, fifth-wheel caravans or slide-on campers were produced in the first five months of 2023, however, despite the small number of local slide-on builders including Islander and Quick Camper.

The CIAA says it derives its monthly production figures from data provided by 87 Australian RV manufacturers, so the figures don’t always include output from some of the smaller low-volume builders as well as RV start-ups and those that aren’t paid-up members of the peak national body.

Interestingly, the monthly data for May 2023 shows a 97.4% increase in the number of towable RVs weighing between 3001-4500kg – an increase reflected in the rising number of 4500kg ATM-rated ‘super-vans’ hitting the market recently.

If the current local RV production trend continues, the CIAA is predicting an even higher annual total than last year’s record 28,301.

“We’re not seeing any significant drop in the numbers as long order books and retail back filling continues to play out,” explained CIAA’s General Manager Research and Insights, Peter Clay.

“Although anecdotally we are starting to hear certain consumer segments are beginning to slow down as the economic situation plays out.”

Reflecting this segment-specific slowdown, there has been some heavy discounting recently in the volume-selling $60,000-$100,000 full-height caravan segment, with savings of up to $20,000 advertised on some late-model display vans.

Meanwhile, the reported number of RVs imported into Australia up until the end of May 2023 was 7513, down 5% on the previous year, although the 1764 units in May was up by 10%.

Reflecting an increasing number of higher-priced hybrid and full-size caravan models available from imported brands, the average value of imported RVs also increased by 24%, to $24,610, while the average gross weight rose by 4% to 1970kg.

The CIAA said 776 locally built RVs were exported to overseas markets in the same period, down 74% on the previous year. On average the value of each RV exported was $58,920 and average weight was 2270kg.

The CIAA says imports now account for around a third of the Australian RV market, creating over $450 million in economic trade value. Conversely, $82 million worth of locally built RVs were shipped overseas to countries including New Zealand, Thailand and the United States.

Although official numbers are not currently available for 2022 due to the Australian Bureau of Statistics no longer conducting the motor vehicle census, the CIAA said based on data available there were 792,713 registered RVs in Australia in January 2022, including 726,422 caravans or camper trailers and 66,291 campervans or motorhomes.

“Caravan registrations experienced a growth of about 4% compared to the previous year, while campervan registrations saw a substantial decline of 10.7%,” Clay said.

“The drop in campervan registrations may be partially attributed to COVID-19 restrictions, which resulted in the loss of international rental markets and a deregistering of inventory as rental companies restructured their operations.”