He said the Australian RV industry had the
potential to boom once the current crisis passed.
“We have to be ready for when the wheel
turns, to ensure that we are open for
business,” Mr Lucas said. “Forget international
travel for a long time. Will our industry run at
100 miles an hour? Probably not. But we will
be one of the first industries that bounces
back quickly. Once people are allowed to
travel, they’ll really want to travel.”
QUEENSLAND
MANUFACTURING
In Queensland, most manufacturers are still
operating, albeit at a reduced rate.
Forward order books would cary the majority
of Queensland’s RV manufacturers through
for the next three to six months, Caravan
Trade & Industries Association of Queensland
CEO Jason Plant said.
“Some manufacturers are reducing operating
days to extend order banks out further,” Mr
Plant told GoRV. “This is obviously being
implemented after consultation with
customers. In some instances, customers are
choosing to halt production or delivery until
non-essential travel restrictions are lifted.”
Some Queensland RV manufacturers had
offered to store completed vans for customers
until travel restrictions were lifted, he said.
“This is necessary in some cases where
customers are based interstate and do not
have the appropriate permits to cross borders
at this time.
“Most manufacturers are optimistic about the
future once COVID 19 is under control and life
returns to some normality. Many see drive
tourism as set to boom, as Australians will
choose to holiday domestically for some time
to come.
“The challenge will be maintaining the
capacity and resources to ramp up production
once restrictions are lifted and orders again
begin to flow more regularly.”