Chinese imports continue to rise
Close to one third of all RVs sold in Australia now come from ChinaChinese-built caravans and camper trailers continue to steal market share from the Australian RV manufacturing sector.
According to the latest ABS data, RV imports from China grew by 36 per cent (799 units) in September this year. Queensland remains the largest market for RV trailer imports, accounting for around 43% of all units followed by Victoria, NSW and Western Australia.
All up, 869 campers and caravans built overseas arrived down under in September – a year-on-year increase of 33.9 per cent. Australian RV production figures for September are yet to be released but according to the Caravan Industry Association of Australia, 1997 recreational vehicles were built locally in August – down 13.5 per cent year-on-year.
Reflecting increased demand for more expensive hybrids as well as full-size caravans built in China, the average cost of imported RVs has increased by more than $2000 to $14,270 since early-2019, while the average unit weight remains steady at 1720kg.
All up, imported RVs are currently tracking at a rolling annual figure of 10,248 – up 6.3 per cent year-on-year. The Australian RV industry is on track to build around 22,000 units in 2019, according to the Caravan Industry Association - down from 23,070 in 2018
The annual number of Chinese-built RVs arriving in Australia has more than doubled over the past four years, from around 4000 units to close to 10,000. Over the same period the number of American RVs has dwindled from more than 200 to around 60.
Annual imports of UK caravans have also plummeted, from more than 500 in 2016 to current levels of around 50. Just three UK-built caravans arrived in Australia in September 2019.
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