Urban Group relaunches Maverick Caravans

A fast-growing Melbourne caravan manufacturer, national retailer and exporter has added its first range of Chinese-built caravans to its portfolio.

The Urban Group, which builds Urban, Platinum and Vivid-branded caravans at its Epping, Victoria factory and sells 'vans around Australia as well as in the USA, has taken over local distribution of Maverick caravans and campers after the eight-year old importer collapsed last week, owing a reported $6million.

The latest caravan company liquidation left 72 Maverick customers in limbo, after they had paid around $480,000 in total on deposits on 'vans that had yet to be delivered. While many of the deposits were under $5000, some were as high as $40,000 in a few cases.

The Urban Group says it's made a deal with the Chinese manufacturer of Maverick caravans that includes all future stock, as well as customer orders currently being shipped to Australia.

The plan is to continue offering the range of 9ft-21ft hybrid and off-road caravans under a rebranded Maverick Caravans banner, backed by Urban Group’s existing retail, service and manufacturing operations.

At the time it shut its doors Maverick Campers CEO Matthew Winen said the importer had a $5million order book, along with a fleet of 138 'vans, located at four outlets around Australia and valued at $6.5million.

The imported 'vans were repossessed by a secured creditor after a dispute over a $500,000 debt, Winen said at the time.

“Nobody who saved for a caravan should be left wondering where it is,” Urban Group boss Steven Trajcevski said in a statement.

“When we learned these 'vans were already on the water, we moved quickly to secure them and the factory relationship behind them. Today, we’re giving Maverick customers clarity and a clear path forward.”

Customers with a Maverick campers order in progress are being asked to contact Urban Group’s Maverick Caravans team with proof of purchase, while customers with a claim against Maverick Caravans & Campers' parent company, Fetch Business Solutions, should get in touch directly with the liquidator, Jirsch Sutherland.

While the new agreement doesn't include the adoption of any warranty liabilities, the Urban Group says it will assess warranty requests from existing Maverick owners on a case-by-case basis, and assist where possible.

A fresh batch of Maverick caravans is expected to go on display later this year at Urban's Touring Hub retail network, which includes outlets in Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.