Hitched to boom market

European motorhome market leader and the second largest caravan manufacturer, Hymer and Europe's sixth largest caravan and motorhome maker, Adria, have released a range of models at the Caravan, Camping, 4WD and Holiday Supershow at Rosehill. It marks their launch on the Australian market.

Australian distributor of Hymer and Adria, Terrence Burchett says: "The Australian leisure van market is growing at a rate of more than 18 per cent a year; five times that of the automotive industry," Industry figures show that Australians and international visitors will make more than 600,000 caravan and motorhome trips in Australia this year. And with the industry worth more than $2.1 billion annually, it's no wonder that these European companies want a piece of the action.

German manufacturer Hymer has introduced to Australia two motorhomes, the S-Class and B-Star-Line and three models of caravans in the Nova range. Hymer is closely aligned with Mercedes-Benz.

Its top of the range motorhome, the S-Class, is built on a Mercedes-Benz chassis and is powered by a 2.7-litre, five-cylinder Mercedes turbo diesel engine, producing 116kW.

Hymer and Adria spokesman Richard Towson says: "Hymer is Mercedes-Benz' biggest customer, and they use each others facilities. They have a very close relationship."

Hymer's products range from a $45,000 caravan, to the top of the range motorhome, the S-Class, valued at about $325,000.

Slovenian company Adria has introduced two models of caravans to Australia, the Adora and Adiva range. It will release its Vision motorhome later this year. Adria caravans range in cost from $39,950 to $59,950.

Towson says a major feature of these new European caravans is their light weight and easy towing ability. He says they are the lightest mid-size and large caravans on the Australian market.

"They are equivalent to Australian brands and you can tow them in a normal family sedan," he says.

Adria's largest caravan in Australia, the Adiva 642UP, weighs 1350kg. He says similar sized caravans can weigh up to two tonnes.

The company is aiming at people who are joining the caravanning world rather than going on boat or hotel holidays.

The caravan industry expects to deliver up to 25,000 vehicles in Australia this year, with 70 per cent caravans, 20 per cent motorhomes and the remaining 10 per cent, "pop tops".