Coromal lands Melbourne dealer

After years of trying Fleetwood Corporation, which builds around 1000 Windsor and Coromal caravans annually, has finally secured a retail outlet in the caravan ‘heartland’ of metropolitan Melbourne. 

The West Australian-based manufacturer was previously represented, by Caravans West in the south-east Melbourne suburb of Springvale. 

The Australian-built or assembled camper trailers, pop-tops and caravans are now being sold alongside US-built Cell caravans at an existing four acre (16,000sq.m) site in Melbourne’s west, which has been the headquarters of Cell Caravans for the past two years.

The ‘one-stop centre’ at 40 Hume Highway in Somerton boasts an office and reception area, large indoor and outdoor display areas, and a separate workshop for servicing, spare parts and assembly.

Cell Caravans announced the deal in February, re-naming the facility Melbourne Caravan Centre (MCC) to better reflect the US and Australian model range.

MCC general manager, Josh Ryland said the Australian models, which start at around $25,000 for camper trailers and $40,000 for caravans, will complement the US-built Cell vans, many of which are super-sized slide-out models costing over $100,000.

There are currently about 20 Coromal and Windsor campers, pop-tops and caravans on display, including some of the latest Silver Series models, while a range-topping Windsor Phantom is set to join them soon.

Ryland said the family-owned business had sold around 600 US-built caravans since it started in 2010, but predicts the Aussie models will significantly out-sell the American vans. He expects up to 180 annual sales of Coromal/Windsor vans compared to around 130 Cell caravans.

One of Australia’s largest RV manufacturers, Fleetwood has been fighting back from a recent sales slump, introducing a number of new, cut-price models and significantly expanding its nationwide dealer network to a current figure of 20, mostly combined outlets.

Up until recently, its closest dealer to Melbourne's CBD was in Bendigo, about a two hours’ drive.

The Melbourne Caravan Centre's ‘grand opening’ runs for three days from May 1-3. As well the chance to score a special deal,  visitors can expect a vintage caravan serving refreshments and representatives from Australia Wide Annexes and Camec showing off some latest products.