SERVICE - PRODUCTS- 4 - CCAM - NEWS
CCAM - April 2019
Auto Camp igniting automotive professionals
New RV report the first of its kind in Australia
The automotive industry is currently
undergoing an innovation revolution with
the introduction of hybrid/electric vehicles,
autonomous vehicles and new fuel
technologies.
The Motor Trades Association of
Queensland (MTA Queensland) says the
future of the automotive sector is exciting
and that it has just the right school-based
program to get the younger generation
ready for the industry of tomorrow.
Auto Camp is a three-day school-
holiday program conducted by MTA
Queensland. Similar to work experience, it
allows students to learn the fundamentals
of combustion engines, servicing vehicles,
paint and panel repairs and naming and
identifying engine components. It includes
practical workshops, a circuitry project
and covers new topics such as hybrid/
electric vehicles and battery technology.
Auto Camp is open to high-school
students aged between 14-17 and a
chance for them to get some hands-on
experience and learn basic automotive
principles.
“MTA Queensland
launched Auto Camp
in 2018 after realising
there was a huge
gap between being
at school and getting
an opportunity to try
a trade that might be
of interest to a future
career path,” says
MTA Queensland
Deputy CEO Kellie
Dewar. “This course
will allow young adults
who are interested
in engineering,
motorsport, mechanics,
restoration, electronics,
design or manufacturing to get a taste of
the automotive world.
“We have had previous Auto Camp
students return to continue learning on our
five-week pre-vocational course and then
go on to secure an apprenticeship.”
Auto Camp will be offered during every
school-holiday break and the next course
is scheduled to held between April 9-11.
For more information visit:
mtai.edu.au/courses/school-program/
Caravan Industry Association of Australia, in partnership with
its state association members, is excited to announce the
release of its latest research report – RV Consumer 2018.
Caravan Industry Association of Australia says the inaugural
2018 RV Consumer Report is the most comprehensive
consumer study of its kind in Australia. It examines
recreational-vehicle purchasing and usage preferences among
current vehicle owners, former owners, potential new market
entrants and consumers who have limited preference for
buying into the RV lifestyle.
Throughout the report, the research demonstrates core
themes that are influencing RV ownership and purchasing
patterns. While there is a high demand for RV ownership in
Australia, there are also numerous challenges.
When it comes to current RV owners, the typical person is
aged 33 years old, with 71 per cent purchasing second-hand.
55 per cent plan to upgrade, with the most common reasons
for not yet having upgraded being financial ability and waiting
to find the right RV. Two out of five owners have children aged
under 15 at home, with the average household income being
between $48,000 to $72,000 per annum.
Having the financial ability to buy into and remain in the
RV lifestyle was the most significant factor across all RV
consumers, with 80 per cent of respondents saying the cost
of the RV was the most important factor influencing their
purchase.
Another significant trend was the importance of children.
Many consumers reported waiting for children to leave home
before purchasing an RV, while others were wanting to start a
family before purchasing or upgrading their RV. The research
also found consumers are significantly more likely to purchase
an RV if they had camped as a child.
When it comes to functionality and aesthetics, RV
consumers weighted practicality over niceties, with 40 per
cent saying road handling was the most important feature they
looked for in an RV. When considering a purchase, female
consumers placed a higher importance on more RV features
and amenities than males.
Societal changes are also impacting RV ownership patterns,
with 69 per cent of current owners stating that time constraints
such as work and personal commitments prevent them from
using their RV more. Increased urbanisation is also leading
to more people moving into smaller homes where they have
limited parking options for their RVs.
As this is the first year of this new reporting series,
which will be carried out every five years, the study sets the
benchmarks required to examine the Australian population to
understand shifts in consumer preferences, lifestyle choices,
buying and selling trends, purchase intention, RV features and
amenities preferences, rental and peer-to-peer usage, as well
as travel and leisure patterns.
The research is guided by a similar study undertaken
by University of Michigan in partnership with RVIA, which
also allows for benchmarks and comparisons between the
Australian and US markets.
For more information visit: www.caravanindustry.com.au
