Lighter single-axle Zone caravan coming

The new owner of Zone RV has outlined plans to create a "dream team" of around 50 employees at the Sunshine Coast factory, and introduce new lighter single-axle caravans and "warmer" interiors across the cutting-edge Zone range.

Jamie Johnson, who owns Melbourne-based Design RV and Essential Caravans and recently acquired the assets of Zone RV for a reported $8million, said his main priority was to reassure buyers and owners after the 12-year old business collapsed last year owing around $42 million to creditors.

"Obviously we've got to restore confidence in the Zone community, and the future Zone owners," Johnson said on Youtube.

He said part of that process is to scrap Zone's controversial progressive payment system, changing it to an industry-standard 10 per cent deposit on placing an order, with the rest paid on delivery.

Johnson said he will also be setting up additional support for existing Zone owners from a warranty and service perspective.

Johnson said he will personally talk with every one of the 100 or so customers who are still collectively $10 million out of pocket after making progress payments on unbuilt and undelivered caravans prior to Zone's collapse.

He has previously said he will offer affected customers a deal whereby they can buy a new caravan at 'cost' price -- on top of what they've already paid in progress payments (up to $160,000 or more in some cases), and at a potential saving of around $40,000 on a $200,000 caravan.

"Obviously it's an unfortunate situation. I will talk to each and every one of them personally, to make sure we can accommodate those that we can," Johnson said.

He said the plan is to re-hire some of the former 250-strong Zone workforce to create a "dream team" of around 50 or 60 employees at Zone's Sunshine Coast facility.

These will include "key people" such as former Zone RV CEO Adrian Toft who is taking on a marketing role under the new Adventure Zone RV management.

Johnson said he plans to continue building Zone's existing hardtop and pop-top model range, while adding "some exciting new things in the future".

"There's a lot (that Zone) do that's so much better than what the rest of the industry does," he said. "I'm down in Campbellfield (Victoria), one of 100 manufacturers down there, and I can tell you that no-one builds a van like Zone does.

"I think we can actually take it further with some of our ideas as well... We're looking forward to getting back to that lightweight mentality, what made a Zone a Zone, that could be towed by any vehicle."

He plans to strip weight out of Zone's heavyweight 'vans, while introducing a new single-axle model suitable for vehicles with a 3000kg towing capacity.

Johnson is no stranger to lighter weight 'vans, with Design RV recently unveiling its compact single axle SLS caravan with aluminium chassis and just 1630kg Tare.

He said he's also planning to add "warmth to the interior of the Zone 'vans", suggesting a move away from glossy white finishes to darker, textured tones commonly found in Melbourne-built models.

He also alluded to a return to Zone's unique hand-over experience at the Hanger O glamping facility in Gunalda, Queensland.

"I can't wait to get in there, get behind the driver's wheel and take it forward," Johnson said.

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