Post-lockdown sales of motorhomes have more than doubled as the UK staycation season peaks according to Ross Edwards, managing director at specialist luxury motorhome dealer Erwin Hymer Centre Travelworld. He said the recent spike in sales was by far the most prominent he had witnessed in his 25 years in the industry.
The surge in interest in the motorhomes, which can cost up to £250,000, coincides with the rising popularity of domestic breaks brought about by the coronavirus crisis and uncertainty around foreign holidays.
Staffordshire-based Travelworld – which exclusively sells German brands – sold a record breaking 66 motorhomes in July, more than double the 30 purchased by customers in the corresponding month in 2019.
It has also virtually matched last year’s sales figures from January to July – 219 in 2019 compared to 215 this year – despite the business being closed for more than two months during lockdown.
Ross said: “We expected an increase in demand after lockdown but the levels we have seen have come as a surprise.
“We reopened our doors on June 1 and have been flat out ever since, as well as seeing a huge rise in the number of telephone enquiries in the second half of May.
“There have been times in the past when the economic stars have aligned and we have seen sharp increases in sales, but even those figures don’t compare to what we are witnessing now.
“One of the most notable trends we have seen is the amount of people showing an interest in, and going on to buy, a motorhome who haven’t previously thought about such a purchase. There is a significant amount of interest from first-time buyers.
“The nervousness about travelling abroad, with potential quarantine implications, is clearly having an impact and people are excited about the possibility of exploring the UK in their own motorhome and beginning a new adventure.”
Changing purchasing habits around motorhomes have also been in evidence since lockdown.
Ross added: “Traditionally, it’s a long journey from people expressing an initial interest in a motorhome to the final purchase. In many cases, its months and even years and understandably so as it’s a major decision.
“However, we are seeing a significant shortening in the decision-making process – people are determined to purchase a motorhome and, when they find a vehicle they are happy with, they are putting pen to paper very quickly.
“The signs at present are that the demand is remaining extremely strong during what is a period of the year when we tend to see interest wane slightly because people are out using their motorhomes rather than contemplating buying a new one.”
Travelworld has introduced a range of measures since reopening to protect its customers and colleagues, including the introduction of Thermal Imaging Cameras to measure the temperature of visitors.
Travelworld has been serving the motorhome industry for more than 40 years and has a purpose-built, state-of-the-art showroom located just off junction 14 of the M6.
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Issued by 8848 Communications on behalf of Travelworld. For more information, contact Sean Wozencroft or James Garrison on sean@8848agency.com / james@8848agency.com or call 01902 907520.