by Dan Hughes
Positive signs for motorhome industry as sales hit the roof
New Motorhome registrations within the UK have hit a high for the first time in five years; with provisional figures revealing sales for 2014 should reach 8,500 according to research.
The figure, which is the highest since 2008, sees a sharp spike in motorhome sales, but with sales made at the Motorhome & Caravan Show at Birmingham’s NEC in October not yet accounted for, early indications show that this number could be driven out of the park.
In 2007, sales figures for motorhomes reached a record 11,646 according to UK registration figures, but a slow decline in sales saw UK registration numbers plummet to approximately 7,000. Thankfully for Motorhome manufacturers, the market is predicted to perform an upturn once again.
Over 96,000 people attended this year’s Motorhome & Caravan Show at the NEC in October, sparking Britain’s largest motorhome manufacturer, Swift, to gladly report its highest single-event sales ever in the event. And, although the luxurious Kon-Tiki range performed well, it was the Esprit 424, Rio 340 and the Bessacarr 496 coachbuilts which led the sales with an incredible order tally of over £17million.
Bailey of Bristol also saw a 25 per cent increase in retail with a refreshed Peugeot cab for 2015 making a sales boost. On top of this, Bailey reported that the show also produced its best-ever results at an exhibition and, as a result, the company has added the Approach Advance to its list of entry-level motorhomes. The range is slated for an April release.
Manufacturer, Auto-Sleepers, has also reported a total sales growth of 35 per cent over the past two years, owing partly to sales made at the NEC show. Auto-Sleepers Sales Director, Dave Williams commented: “The last two years have seen Auto-Sleeper sales enjoy double digit growth of 13 per cent and 17 per cent respectively, and we are optimistic that the next two to three years will yield additional growth opportunities on both new and used, with dealers keen to tempt existing owners to upgrade their motorhomes to new models as used becomes increasingly difficult for dealers to acquire.”
CaravanTimes is excited to see the motorhome market have such great sales numbers. Who knows? Maybe, if you haven’t already, a motorhome will be placed on your wish list for 2015. Don’t forget to enter our competition to win a pair of Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show 2015 tickets if you want to see a whole host of them under one roof this coming February.
