More Chinese factory motorhomes coming

We've seen a flood of Chinese-built camper trailers, hybrids and now caravans enter the country in recent years, but up until now few, fully imported campervans and motorhomes.

But that could be about to change, if this year's NSW Caravan Supershow (April 28 - May 3) at Sydney's Rosehill Racecourse is any guide...

Two new Chinese factory-built motorhomes are making their debut at this year's annual Sydney show, including a circa 7.0m long LDV Deliver 9 twin-berth motorhome and a Chery-built 7.5-metre long, X Series RV Signature motorhome based on a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter cab-chassis.

The new fully imported models are significant for two main reasons. First, up until recently just about all larger B- and C-class motorhomes sold in Australia featured locally-built bodies fitted to locally sourced imported vehicles ie. Iveco Daily or Fiat Ducato cab-chassis.

The new Chinese models from LDV and X Series are fully completed in China before being shipped down under -- either using Chinese-built LDV cab-chassis or other base vehicles like the 'Benz Sprinter, as is the case with the new X Series.

While there were limited details provided at the show, a salesperson said the new XSignature C-class motorhome is approximately 7.5m long and based on the rear-drive Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 519 CDI cab chassis. It's built by Chery Auto -- the same Chinese auto manufacturer that produces X Series caravan suspensions.

He also said it was priced around $260,000 drive-away, and there could be some changes to the interior fit-out, which at the moment blends sleek European furniture with Asian-style LED trickery.

While an on-road motorhome, the XSignature motorhome comes well equipped for off-grid camping with a Renogy 900Ah lithium battery system with 950W rooftop solar and a 3000W inverter, along with 90L fresh and 90L grey water tanks, rooftop air-con and diesel heating, an induction cooktop, 150L fridge, microwave, separate shower and toilet, powered awning and a couple of TVs.

The mid-ensuite layout includes a rear bedroom with twin singles that convert to a king bed, plus a kitchenette and L-shaped dinette/lounge. There's another small children's bed over the driver's cab, plus a large rear storage 'garage' accessible from outside.

"The X Series Signature is a new standard in Australian motorhomes, developed in partnership with the same global innovators who build world leading automotive technologies," the fledgling Aussie RV brand said on a show brochure.

Again, details were few at the show, but we were told that the LDV Deliver 9 motorhome prototype on display is approximately 7.0m long and over 3.0m high, and the new Chinese motorhome will be offered in Australia sharply priced at $146,990 driveaway.

Layout-wise, it features a passenger side slide-out for the east-west walk-around queen bed, a rear ensuite with separate shower and toilet, kitchenette, front dinette and over-cab bunk bed.

The bitumen tourer is loaded up for off-grid camping with a 5kWh lithium battery system with 380W rooftop solar and a 2000W inverter, induction cooktop, microwave, 32in Smart TV, 150L fridge/freezer, diesel heater and air-con, 100L fresh/100L grey water tanks, an outside shower, touchscreen manager, radio and powered awning.

We also spotted on the prototype enough seat belts for carrying four people, a wall-mounted washing machine and quite a bit of internal storage space.

Selected LDV dealers are taking orders now with display vehicles expected to arrive in local showrooms from July. The LDV Deliver 9 motorhome is also currently listed on caravancampingsales at a couple of dealers.

Meanwhile, the LDV salesperson we spoke to at the show said the smaller LDV Deliver 9 campervan was proving a hit with buyers, with about one a week sold from the NSW dealership since its launch last year. He also hinted at more Chinese-built factory LDV motorhomes on the way, and possibly some LDV-built caravans.

The two new factory motorhomes are joined at the show by Snowy River's growing range of campervans and motorhomes, which include the $129,990 driveaway, LDV Deliver 9-based SRM-22 motorhome launched earlier this year.

Although Snowy does things slightly differently; bringing in the motorhome body shells and components from its factory in China before mounting them to locally sourced vehicles and completing final assembly and fit-out at its Melbourne facility.

Interestingly, the new Chinese factory models are not the only new imported motorhomes at this year's Sydney Supershow, with THL displaying its new range of Winnebago-badged models that will be available at Apollo dealerships and are built across the ditch at THL's New Zealand factory in Wellington.

It's not the first time a factory motorhome from China has been offered here, with South Australian outfit Goldstar bringing in a cut-price model a few years ago.

Meanwhile, while still producing motorhomes at its Melbourne factory, Jayco also has its first LDV motorhome based on the Chinese-built Deliver 9 cab-chassis on display at the Sydney Supershow, priced like its Snowy rival at an enticing $129,990 driveaway.

Related: Jayco launches first LDV motorhome