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NEWS
Concept imports Chinese campers
Major Aussie caravan builder to sell entry-level Chinese campers under reborn Franklin brandTop-5 Australian caravan manufacturer, Concept, is dipping its toe into the growing imported RV market with the release of two new Chinese campers under its revitalised Franklin brand.
Revealed in prototype form at the official opening of Franklin’s new $3 million Melbourne factory last week, the new two-model range will consist of a four-berth, forward-fold canvas camper aimed at families, as well as a two-berth, rear-fold, hard-floor model.
The budget campers will be largely assembled in China, with fitting of gas appliances and other minor assembly and compliance work to be completed at a new production line close to the Franklin caravan factory in Melbourne's north.
Concept Caravans’ managing director Keir Smith said there would be a few improvements made to the campers before the production versions are rolled out to Franklin’s seven nationwide dealers around September this year. He said a range of Chinese campers will also be introduced to the Concept range at some stage.
Pricing is likely to be in the $18,000-$22,000 range, which should make them competitive with similar models from major Australian distributors of Chinese campers including MDC, Mars, EzyTrail and Black Series.
Smith said the new campers would provide Franklin’s regional dealers with a cheaper, entry-level model into the Franklin range, which now starts at around $50,000 following the withdrawal of the compact Iconic model.
While final specifications were not available, the off-road equipped display models featured independent coil spring suspensions, chunky tyres on matte black alloys, poly block couplings, mesh stone shields, and plenty of shiny checker plate protection.
Both units had slide-out stainless steel kitchens with three-burner gas cooktops and a sink with drainer and tap, plus basic 12V battery systems.
There were also plenty of external storage options including slide-outs for generators, front and rear toolboxes and holders for gas bottles and jerry cans.
While official figures are not available, Chinese-built camper trailers are now one of the biggest RV market segments in Australia, accounting for an estimated 10,000 annual sales or more according to figures supplied by the major importers. By comparison, around the same amount of Australian caravans are built each year.
Concept, which also builds Newland caravans, is the latest major Australian caravan manufacturer to test the waters with an imported camper, and follows an unsuccessful attempt a few years ago by Fleetwood RV, to sell its Chinese-built Navigator.
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Written byChris Fincham
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Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
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