Caravan maker Australian Off Road shuts down, leaving customers in limbo

A Sunshine Coast-based caravan manufacturer has ceased operations, leaving hundreds of customers, staff, and suppliers in limbo. Australian Off Road (AOR) campers stopped operating late last week, with customers reporting that they have been unable to make contact with the company.

AOR's phone line has been disconnected, its website is down, its social media accounts deactivated, and its factory and office space in Caloundra is empty. There was no movement at AOR's Caloundra base on Monday.

New customers who have paid deposits for caravans say they are in the dark about when or if they will get their vans or money back. Existing owners are also worried about what the situation means for their warranties and servicing.

Customers have not heard from the company since last week. The situation has left many feeling frustrated and uncertain about their future plans.

Customers left waiting

Ron and Winsome Vernieux traveled nearly 2,000 kilometers from Victoria to pick up their caravan that had been at the Caloundra base for repairs for several months. They arrived on Monday morning to find the gates locked and no-one around.

"I expected to see a line-up of cars here and people at the gates, but there's nothing," Mr Vernieux said.

"We want to use it in November to do a trip. We've had it for 14 years and they've been very good to deal with and it's just one hell of a surprise to see it go like this."

Ms Vernieux said it was frustrating, especially given they could see their van in the car park about 20 meters from where they were standing.

"It's surreal … I just want to climb over and get it, but we'll do the right thing [and wait]," she said.

Concerns about warranties and servicing

Sunshine Coast customer Lester Jerman arrived at the factory to collect his caravan which had also been in for repairs.

"I'm worried. There are a few caravan manufacturers struggling a bit," he said.

"I don't know whether that means AOR is struggling because they've got lots of orders for months in advance, so I don't know what's happening just yet."

Lester Jerman said he was surprised to arrive to find the factory empty.

Award-winning company

A social media group has been set up by affected AOR customers and has grown to almost 800 members in just a few days. The company has won a string of accolades, including being named people's choice manufacturer of the year in the 2021 Caravan Industry Association of Australia awards.

AOR is still listed as registered on the ASIC website, with no mention of whether administrators have been appointed. Attempts to contact the business, founded in 2000 by Steve Budden, who remains a director, have been unsuccessful. Russell Evans is also a director of AOR.