Exclusive's 21ft Walk-a-bout 640ST

Caravanning News exclusive

By Dennis Amor
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A RANGE of Chinese-built caravans designed by the former owner of now defunct caravan manufacturer Boroma, Peter Russell, is about to hit the Australian market.

The caravans have only just arrived in the country and Exclusive Caravans general manager Mr Russell said the company had been working "flat tack" to prepare them for the three-day Townsville Home Show and Caravan, Camping and Boating Expo beginning on March 11.

In an exclusive interview with Caravanning News, Mr Russell said: "Yes, it is fair to say that we are the latest caravan builder to hit the market."

But he stressed that the Queensland-based company was not new to building or designing caravans.

"As you have heard correctly, I am Peter Russell ex Boroma Caravans and have designed these caravans for the Australian market from the ground up," he said.

Mr Russell agreed the caravans were being built in China, adding: "Do not let that put you off though as I spent seven months living and working with the Chinese to ensure that they knew what they were doing and why. It was a very interesting experience on both the business side and personal side of things.

"We have been lucky enough to team up with a very reputable Chinese company that is part of a much larger organisation.

"This company strives to build quality products that are accepted worldwide and had been looking at trying to develop their business into the caravan market for the last four years.

"Other products built by this company include the special response vehicles for the Beijing Olympics, the recovery vehicle used by the Chinese space program and a large number of other specialised vehicles for the Chinese military, to name a few."

Exclusive Caravans will also exhibit at the Mackay show a week after the one at Townsville.

Making their debut will be a 21ft full body caravan with separate shower and toilet and a 13ft 6in camper-style van.

"We also have an 18ft poptop caravan in our range but unfortunately this 'van is still to come to Australia," Mr Russell explained.

Mr Russell was a partner in the Queensland-based Boroma company, regarded as among the leading builders of top quality caravans in Australia.

But his Stapylton company just north of the Gold Coast ran into financial problems when the global economic crisis struck in 2008 and was forced to close due to lack of sales and cancelled orders.