Auto-Trail sees profits rocket - Practical Motorhome

Auto-Trail saw its profits more than double during the first lockdown year, and believes continuing high demand caused by travel restrictions should see it overcome any supply chain setbacks.

The Trigano Group posted pre-tax profits of £9.3m in the 12 months to the end of August 2021, up from £3.6m the year before. Turnover during the same period rose from £48.7m to £66.2m.

It said demand was so strong coming out of the first lockdown in June 2020 that, having pencilled in a 30% rise in production volume to cope, it had to look at increasing volumes again.

Even without the NEC show, retail sales in October 2020 eclipsed the previous year.

It added that “operational difficulties” caused by suppliers also coming out of lockdown meant it was unable to fulfil all orders for the year. But it expects the next year to be “less disruptive”, with continued demand for staycations and stabilisation of raw materials.

This follows on from the brand’s success at the Practical Motorhome Awards 2022, where Auto-Trail won two categories through the Auto-Trail F68 and the Auto-Trail Grand Frontier GF88.

If you’ve enjoyed reading this article, why not get the latest news, reviews and features delivered direct to your door or inbox every month. Take advantage of our brilliant Practical Motorhome magazine SUBSCRIBERS’ OFFER and SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER for regular weekly updates on all things motorhome related.

PeterBaber

Peter Baber is Reviews Editor of both Practical Motorhome and Practical Caravan. He has been reviewing motorhomes for the best part of a decade now. His first caravan reviews date back to the early 1990s when he first worked on Practical Caravan, before he embarked on a 20-year career in business journalism which saw him edit a wide variety of magazines, and launch a few too, including one that won an award. Although he enjoyed that, he always knew he wanted to come back. Peter reports on all the new models that make it to dealer forecourts each season, giving his judgement online and in magazine reviews. He has twice been shortlisted for a Caravan Writers Guild award. When he is not working, apart from going on motorhome trips himself (mostly local to where he lives in West Yorkshire, but also last year right across France) he likes trying to write novels, cooking, throwing the odd pot, and has just taken up tennis.