Fuelled by a dramatic Covid-inspired surge in domestic travel, caravan sales in Australia have reached record levels.
The Caravan Industry Association of Australia (CIAA) has released the sector’s 2022 manufacturing and import numbers … with nearly 50,000 registrations recorded new to market.
Locally produced units reached 28,031 (+17.1% from previous year) a number not seen since the 1970s and, when combined with imported product (20,498 +8.36% from previous year), saw the highest rate ever of new caravans entering the Australian market.
The CIAA says these rates are directly attributed to the strong domestic demand for all things caravanning, and Australia’s desire to reconnect with our beautiful country.
There were nearly 50,000 new van registrations in Australia last year. PIC: CIAA
Exports also recorded a record 9,568 units (+229.93% from previous year) at year-end December 2022, which the CIAA says showcases the overseas regard for tough Australian-built vans.
Caravan Industry Association of Australia CEO, Stuart Lamont, said caravanning and camping remained one of the best value and accessible holiday options.
“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,” he said. “Australia is renowned for producing rugged product suited to our stunning yet unforgiving terrain.”
Mr Lamont said that while the industry remained well positioned for anticipated strong consumer demand into the future, it was not resting on its laurels.
“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,” he said. “A position by which we need to see continued support and partnership for in order to maintain.”
The CIAA says it will continue to ‘look to the future of caravanning and its inner-well of innovation’ for the next transition of the industry – a low emissions environment and tightening economic conditions.
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Yes there are a lot more vans on the road, all parks booked out..we used to travel the country and never booked ahead but now it’s impossible……so much money around, the younger people are holidaying nowadays so it’s hardly a grey nomads thing anymore.
We worked on a property just out of Barcaldine for 5 months last year and could clearly see traffic on the Landsborough Hwy. About 5-6 times I counted caravans going either way for 5 a minute period the average was 1 van every 30 seconds. So for a 5 hour period each day 7 days a week that’s approximately 600 vans per day. So I’d say at a rough guess, yes there is absolutely a huge number of extra vans on the road, a ridiculous number.
I have noticed a number of small cars towing what appears to be vans too heavy for the car. Accidents waiting to happen. A towing training test/certificate should be required to tow anything .
Just more accidents waiting to happen. Vast majority of these people have little experience and the unscrupulous caravan industry is pushing overweight mcmansions onto people who believe the car salesman when he sells them a twin cab capable of safely towing 3500kg. Absolute stupidity and outright dangerous. The sooner the industry is regulated and a caravan licence introduced the safer the roads will be.
They did that to me, had to buy a Yoyota land cruiser v8.
I agree 100 percent, couldn’t have described it better. No wonder some of the Truckies hate Caravanners, I’ve been Towing a Caravan since 2000 & consider myself fairly capable with the understanding of our Nations Trucking Industry. I’ve mostly had a good experience with our Truckies, can’t please em all though!
The sooner Caravaners become regulated, the safer & happier all us road users will be.
For certain there are more, all the ‘Covid come lately caravaners’. Gone are the days of spontaneity. If you are not booked ahead you might get a day or two midweek and forget about extending if you find you like a place. Noticeable however – nobody is expanding or building new CV parks, so it is likely to get worse.