Australia hits the road as caravan shows send RV sales higher

The last of Australias major caravan shows for 2006 finished in Brisbane with sales up by as much as 10 per cent over last year, according to the Recreational Vehicle Manufacturers Association of Australia (RVMAA).

The Brisbane results reflect an overall national increase from all five mainland State capital shows this year showing that there is great confidence in RVs in providing the best holiday lifestyle options in the country, RVMAA president Tony Bellamy said today.

He said while the automotive industry has been buffeted by the impact of increases in fuel prices and the recent interest rate rise the Recreational Vehicle industry had stood up remarkably well.

We include GoSeeAustralia pictures of fresh RV thinking from Supershows around Australia.

People understand that Recreational Vehicles are a long-term investment in holiday lifestyle. It remains very much the most cost effective way for families to holiday, Tony Bellamy said.

The key difference between Recreational Vehicles and cars is once a new car is driven from a showroom floor its price begins to depreciate, whereas, a well-cared-for five to seven year old RV retains its value and has a re-sale price close to its original cost, he said.

And you have had all the holidays in between at much cheaper rates than holidaying in hotels and motels he said.

The five-show circuit started off in Adelaide in February, the following month a show was held in Perth, then Sydney, in April followed b y Melbourne in May and Brisbanes seven-day show finished on June 13.

Tony Bellamy described the shows as industry showpieces with millions of dollars of RVs as well as caravan and camping equipment and accessories all alongside tourism displays that promote the great outdoor adventure of RV travel.

While the shows may be over, there are several hundred dealers across Australia who for the rest of the year are putting on their own mini-shows in the suburbs of our cities and towns, he said.

One of the great outcomes of shows is that they help stimulate the public interest, and so much after-show business is generated in the yards of dealers all over the country, Mr Bellamy said.

He predicted that national sales for 2006 will be around 17,000 and may even reach the 2005 figure of 17,600 units.

Editor's Note, also see:

Serious off-road rigs were part of the NSW Supershow

Good looking rig	Inside the Kimberley Kamper
Kimberley Kamper ups and downs	One of the Jayco Conquest motorhome layouts
The new Coromal Mirage	The quirky Tab
Jayco Expanda interior	Pet friendly people from the Family Parks of Australia chain with Dr Harry Cooper
The Windsor Rapid with shower and toilet