Motorhome buyers out in force during 2018

Despite price rises and the uncertainty over the sterling/euro exchange rate as a result of Brexit, the latest figures from the industry body, the NCC, show that registrations of new motorhomes and campervans have remained at record levels.

However, the first signs of a slowing in the market are evident. Motorhome sales have broken records every year since 2013 but, for two months in 2018, registrations of new models were slightly lower than the previous year. In March 2018, registrations dipped by 0.6% while in July they fell by 4.2% when compared to the same months in 2017.

That aside, overall new model registrations for the first 10 months of 2018 – the latest figures available – show that the number of new motorhomes and campervans bought in 2018 (registrations lag behind actual new model sales figures by several months) are still likely to smash records.

Registrations of new motorhomes and campervans at the end of October stood at 13,236, which is 3.5% higher than the first 10 months of 2017.

In the month of October, 817 new motorhomes were registered, which is up by 7.4% on the same month in 2017.

The positive outlook was given a further boost following feedback from the NEC motorhome show, which also took place in October. The show is the industry’s largest event and one at which a huge number of sales are made – these sales will be recorded in the figures when the motorhomes are registered and delivered.

More than 96,000 people visited the show to view over 1,000 motorhomes, campervans and other leisure vehicles, which had a combined value of more than £36.5 million.

According to initial reports, many of those 96,000 visitors were there to buy, as Nick Page, Swift’s Group’s Commercial Director, explained: “It was a tremendous show for Swift with sales exceeding expectations. Our new and redesigned ranges performed particularly well, driven by a comprehensive package of best-ever show offers along with half-price insurance and low-rate finance from the two initiatives Swift launched at the show: Supersure Insurance and Swift Advance.”

British motorhome, campervan and caravan manufacturer, Lunar, added to the sense of optimism, after its Sales Director, Lee Roberts, said not only had its caravans sold well but also its new campervans. “We were also very pleased with the reception of our new campervan range, and the level of sales we subsequently achieved on this exciting new adventure,” he said.

Another British motorhome and caravan manufacturer, Bailey of Bristol, also said that visitors were there to buy.

“We are delighted with the reception of our new caravan and motorhome ranges,” said Nick Howard, Managing Director of Bailey. “It’s been a great place for us to meet our customers and showcase all things Bailey. Interest in the new Prima Leisure exceeded all expectations.”
Adrian and David Cross, owners of Hillside Leisure, also confirmed the strength of the show, saying sales were 90% up compared to the previous year.
Michael Hardicker, Managing Director of Vantage Motorhomes said, “For us it’s been a very positive show. We’ve seen a good quality of visitors to the show, looking to make a purchase, which is in line with what we expect. There has been a nice flow of people in the week.”

Premium Motorhomes, which launched the new Morelo Palace Liner at the event and showed models in right-hand drive versions for the first time, said it took orders for the £270,000 motorhome at the NEC.

Mike Herzberg, Managing Director of Premium Motorhomes confirmed: “We are up on show sales compared to last year, and have increased year-on-year for the last three years.”

The next NCC event is the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show, which runs from 19 to 24 February 2019.

The Motorhome and Caravan Show returns to the NEC from 15 to 20 October 2019.