Fiat motorhomes gain traction

Fiat’s dominance of the Australian motorhome market is set to increase, with more local manufacturers lining up to use the popular Ducato cab-chassis for soon-to-be-released models.

According to Robert Moorcraft, the man in charge of Fiat’s van range in Australia, the number of companies using Fiat cab chassis will grow from eight to 12 manufacturers by year’s end.

Moorcraft said the fast-growing Jurgens, which is rolling out new models at a rapid rate including a forthcoming toy hauler, will base a new range of motorhomes expected to go on sale next year on Fiat Ducato chassis.

Paradise Motorhomes, which currently builds a number of top-end models based on the rear-drive Mercedes-Benz and Iveco cab chassis, is also set to re-introduce the Free Time name of a few years' back on a new range of entry-level, Ducato-based motorhomes due for release early next year.

Also joining the Fiat family are two rental operators in Tasmania: Cruisin’ Motorhomes and AutoRent Hertz.

According to Moorcraft, one in every three motorhomes sold in Europe and around 50 per cent of all motorhomes built in Australia, are Fiat based. Fiat’s biggest clients in Australia are Jayco, Avan and Avida (Winnebago) in that order.

Around half the Fiat motorhomes are fitted with Fiat’s purpose-built, ‘low-line’ motorhome chassis, while the other half are fitted with Al-Ko chassis, which are now assembled at Al-Ko’s Melbourne factory.

Although obviously a firm favourite with grey nomads, Moorcraft said there was still some negativity around the front-wheel drive Ducato, despite latest models incorporating electronic stability aids such as Hill Hold and Anti Slip Regulation to improve traction in slippery conditions.

To help educate buyers, Fiat this year has taken the novel step of having its own display at caravan shows, showcasing a Ducato with ‘bare’ chassis so punters can scrutinise the underpinnings before placing an order with the motorhome manufacturer close by.

Most Fiat-based motorhomes sold in Australia come with the more powerful 132kW/400Nm 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine although some of the lighter models like the imported Swift use the more fuel-efficient 96kW/320Nm 2.3-litre powerplant.

To try and convert the rear-drive ‘diehards’, Fiat has also produced a five-minute ‘infomercial’, fronted by former Sale of the Century host Glenn Ridge, which shows a couple of Fiat-based motorhomes in action on dirt roads and crossing creeks in the Australian bush.