The Caravan Industry Association of Australia has released RV manufacturing and import figures for 2022, with nearly 50,000 new registrations recorded and 28,031 new units sold in Australia up 17.1 per cent compared to the previous year.
Australians also increased their import purchases by 8.4 per cent to 20,498, marking an all-time high in the rate of new caravans entering the market.
The association said these rates can be directly linked to Australia’s strong local demand for all things related to caravanning and its desire to rediscover its homeland.
At the year’s conclusion in December 2022, exports reached a record 9,568 units, up 229.93 per cent over the prior year, demonstrating the value placed on Australian-made goods.
According to Stuart Lamont, CEO of the Caravan Industry Association of Australia, it is not surprising that Australians continue to invest in industry products given that camping and caravanning remain some of the most affordable and convenient ways to travel, particularly for families.
“Our industry through COVID was able to pivot and mobilise during challenging times, and now that labour and supply chain interruptions have minimised we continue to see strong output, particularly from local manufacturers,” Lamont noted.
The CEO also pointed out that Australia is known for manufacturing tough products that are appropriate for the country’s beautiful but harsh landscape.
“With the ability to provide for urban escapism and the new workplace shift towards remote connection, the industry remains well positioned for anticipated strong consumer demand into the future,” Lamont said.
Despite the challenges, the caravan and camping business is positive about the future and looks forward to building on the $27 billion in annual economic value it now contributes to the Australian economy, amid ongoing global uncertainties and rising inflation, the association said in a media statement.
“These most recent figures only further fortify the recreational vehicle manufacturing sector’s position and importance as one of Australia’s largest remaining bastions of automotive manufacturing, a position by which we need to see continued support and partnership in order to maintain,” the CEO concluded.
The Caravan Industry Association of Australia claims that the record high has not been seen since after Cyclone Tracy in 1974.
