MDC launches Aussie caravan range

Leading camper trailer importer set for major expansion with new range of Queensland-built caravans just the start

Brisbane-based MDC group, best known for its imported camper trailers and hybrid off-road pop-tops, is about to cement its place as one of Australia’s top five RV companies with a major expansion that will culminate in a new range of locally-built caravans and, later, pop-tops and motorhomes.

After recently acquiring local manufacturer Camel Campers, MDC founded 10 years ago by Vaughan Hindley has moved into a new 5000sq.m factory in Coopers Plains adjacent to its previous Australian HQ and expects to expand into another 2500sq.m undercover property next door during 2017.

The expanded Group’s first new products due for completion by the end of January is a new six-model range of 19-22ft couples and family all-terrain and off-road lightweight caravans that will be marketed under the AUSRV nameplate and are set to debut at the start of the 2017 national caravan show season.

Built on in-house galvanised steel chassis, the vans will employ locally-developed AL-KO Enduro Cross Country or Outback suspension independent trailing arm coil spring suspension, depending on their all-terrain or off-road spec.

The 19ft models will be branded ‘Finke’ and the larger 22ft models ‘Byfield’, drawing their inspiration from Australian National Parks, with the theme repeating as other models including a 16ft single axle van and a range of pop-tops are added later in 2017.

Ambitiously, recently-appointed AUSRV Operations Manager Kevin Edwards hopes to keep the full range ‘Prado friendly’ by using Queensland-made full composite walls and 32mm thick floors that are interlocked by an aluminium extrusion system, saving chassis weight.

He told caravancampingsales that AUSRV off-road models will have many standard features that others manufacturers offer as options.

No checker plate will be used on either model in the interest of both weight and appearance, instead spray-on stone shielding will be applied to vulnerable areas.

Pricing is yet to be settled, but Edwards expects it to range from around $65,000 for the entry-level 19ft all-terrain Finke to about $85,000 for a base 22ft Byfield off-roader.

In other respects, the AUSRV range is conventional and will utilise lightweight ply furniture laser cut at MDC’s HQ by newly-installed laser cutting machinery, while all proprietary components from cooktops and fridges through to air conditioning, plumbing and windows will be locally sourced from major caravan suppliers like Dometic and Coast to Coast.

“We want to ensure that customers have the maximum support, both via our dealer network and our suppliers," ” Edwards said.

MDC currently has eight dealerships nationally, but expects to expand this to 10 by February.

“That level of customer support is another important point of difference between us and other importers,” he said.

MDC Group’s current workforce of 10 is expected to expand to 100-150 during the first quarter of 2017.

The move to local caravan manufacture will remain separate from MDC’s current importation of Chinese-built campers and hybrids, which will continue to be commissioned and certified to Australian compliance alongside the AUSRV range in Brisbane.

Once on the market, the addition of the locally-built caravans will give the MDC Group an impressive arsenal of campers, pop-tops and caravans, spanning the $10,000-$100,000 Australian market price-points.

Both Edwards and the MDC Group’s new Business Development Manager, Ritchie Fort, are long-term RV professionals.

Edwards has spent 30 years in the industry in Australia and overseas and was with Jayco for 18 years before leaving the local industry leader 12 months ago while Manufacturing manager.

He and Fort previously worked together as part of the Jayco network and were both head-hunted by Hindley for their expanded MDC Group roles around three months ago.

“The success of the Group, which has seen more than 10,000 MDC campers and pop-tops sold in Australia, has provided a solid foundation for this new phase of the business,” Edwards said.

“Vaughan wants the MDC Group to be seen as a responsible member of the local RV community and consequently he wants to do things properly, both in terms of supporting local suppliers and having our products meet all relevant state requirements.

“People might think the Australian RV market is already crowded, but he has seen a big niche for a better product and we are planning to deliver it.

“It’s exciting times for the industry and in particular, for Queensland manufacturing.”

MDC launches Aussie caravan range

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