New Zealand's caravan supply 'exhausted' as Kiwis buy up big

Saturday, 7 November 2020

Demand for caravans has surged, but with European factories behind on production, supply is running low, said Nelson Caravans director Vern Walker.

This time last year, Vern Walker had around 50 caravans sat on the lot at his business Nelson Caravans.

“But if you walked in the door now and said ‘I have got to get a caravan this afternoon’, I have one,” he said.

With caravan stocks running low across the country, Kiwis looking to secure a caravan ahead of the holidays will need to act fast.

Although summer has prompted more interest, demand has been high all year, Walker said.

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Vern Walker has one caravan on his lot. This time last year, there were about 50.

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“It really hasn’t stopped. Even while we were in lockdown the online enquiries and transactions were happening.”

Their soaring popularity has been mirrored online, where caravans have become the second-most searched for item on TradeMe.

Nelson Caravans specialises in the popular Swift brand, manufactured in the United Kingdom. However, the factory which makes them shut down for about six months this year.

“The plant is building to capacity, but there’s no pipeline stock for us to draw on.

“The stock situation around the country is pretty exhausted.”

The caravans he’s sourcing now are often sold before they hit the lot, he said.

“We have got a supply, but for the demand will outstrip the supply.”

New Zealand Motor Caravan Association (NZMCA) chief executive officer Bruce Lochore said it was “tremendous” to see the surge of interest in caravans and motor homes.

“People have been buying caravans and motorhomes left, right and centre.”

However, the dwindling supply of caravans and motor homes was a “real issue”, he said.

“There’s still stock out there but getting it replenished is difficult at the moment.”

Even before Covid, interest in caravans and motorhomes had been growing, Lochore said. However, this year had been exceptional.

In September, NZMCA had a record number of sign ups, with 1137 people joining the association. Last September, that figure was just under 700, Lochore said.

“We’re seeing all sorts of people join. Traditionally it’s always been people in their 60s, but there’s been a real influx of families and younger people.”

Head of TradeMe motors Alan Clark said caravans were a favourite of Kiwis because they allowed so much flexibility.

“If you’re not happy with the spot you’re in or the weather turns sour you can pack up and move on.”

Searches over a seven-day period this month reached 84,000, significantly higher than usual.

In October, the site saw a 46 per cent increase in the number of caravan sales compared to the same month last year.

Clark said on there were more than 1000 caravans for sale on the site on Thursday.

He encouraged anyone looking to buy a caravan to do their due diligence.

“Purchase a Motorweb report and have the caravan checked over by someone with some mechanical nous so you know what you're getting into.”