New Coachman layouts pull in sales
Posted: 09/03/2015 Author: Jackie ShipleyCoachman, the luxury touring caravans manufacturer, has endorsed industry pundits’ predictions of an upturn in sales for 2015 as customers’ buying confidence starts to return due to the new Coachman layouts.
Retail sales of Coachman caravans have risen by over 10% from the New Year up to the end of February, compared with the same period last year, with success on the dealer forecourts, exhibitions and more recently The Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show at Birmingham NEC.
According to sales director Elliot Hibbs, Coachman sales have been supported by an innovative new collection of models for the 2015 season, some featuring a unique and versatile new layout, together with a high-value offer for customers buying new models.
“People are buying caravans again,” said Mr Hibbs.
“Sales have been tough in recent years, but we’re now seeing the reality of the upsurge in demand for brand-new, luxury investment models, as predicted by industry experts. It’s not just us; there was a very positive vibe at the recent Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show and a discernible sense of purpose in the atmosphere.
“In previous years, it’s been a great day out for many visitors and a place to be inspired for a future purchase. This year, they’d come to buy. There really was no doubting that.”
A full collection of new caravans for 2015 drew crowds to Coachman’s stand at the NEC, from the entry-level Vision range of family caravans, to the high-spec Laser.
Coachman’s new layouts were a popular attraction, in particular the 575/4 layout with the transverse island bed, which was a top seller across all the ranges at the Show.
The big news for 2015 is the complete restyling of the Pastiche range. Now in the Vision shell but sporting a panoramic front window, it’s a complete new look both externally and internally.
Mr Hibbs said: “Incorporating a lot of the new VIP features, this is truly a stunning caravan. Within all of this, Coachman’s design team has managed to engineer out both weight and cost so this range has become even more affordable and available to a wider audience. It’s been totally repositioned within the market place.”
The Vision range launched in 2014, showcasing a lot of Coachman’s advanced construction techniques, and has been incredibly successful. As a result, this year’s models feature enhancements to the interior styling and variations to the specification, rather than a complete makeover.
The VIP range has been redesigned within its existing shell, layouts revamped and interiors restyled to accommodate the introduction of Alde central heating.
The Lasers have been extensively restyled internally for the new season.
Coachman gave away a free Powrtouch Motor Mover with each new-season caravan bought before the end of the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show, which boosted sales throughout January and February.
Coachman Managing Director Martin Henderson said: “There is increased optimism throughout the industry. Last year, people were looking. This year, they’re looking to buy.
“February’s NEC show is a reliable barometer of the market, and the high level of sales we achieved there reflected the success we’re seeing on the forecourts through our dealer network.”
