BRITAIN’S MOTORHOME OWNERS have had their say in record numbers to compile the results of the Practical Motorhome Owner Satisfaction Awards 2013.
The awards, conducted in partnership with specialist leisure insurance company Coast,
seek to reward manufacturers and dealers who go the extra mile.
We invited readers who had bought either a new or pre-owned motorhome since January 2010 to rate their motorhome and their supplying dealer. Our full report is in the March 2013 issue of Practical Motorhome.
But which motorhome manufacturers impressed you enough to win one of our coveted Gold or Silver Awards?
MEET THE OVERALL WINNERS:
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BAILEY OF BRISTOL – BEST HIGH VOLUME PRODUCER
Simon Howard
What sets your company apart?
Our family-owned business has a team culture that encourages employee participation, which gives us an edge. Also, we use our own Alu-Tech construction technology; we think it’s a better way to manufacture caravans and motorhomes. Our crash-testing also makes us different.
What’s your company history?
With 65 years experience in caravan production and design, Bailey is the UK’s longest-established leisure vehicle manufacturer. A year ago, the company looked to transfer that expertise into the motorhome market with the introduction of the Approach SE range.
What feedback do you get?
We have enthusiastic owners who show a keen interest in the performance and design of our vehicles. As a result, we are never short of customer comment, and the challenge is how to channel it constructively into the development of future products. This survey is extremely useful: it provides the in-depth quantitative feedback that we’d rarely get.
What problems crop up?
There’s too much choice for clients. We needed to make our proposition simple, hence the single range, single cab and single chassis type. This makes finding the right model much easier and improves delivery times.
Describe your service to buyers.
We believe we have the best parts supply service in the industry. We can usually send a replacement part out within 48 hours. This minimises off-the-road time.
Any developments this year?
The biggest step forward was the pioneering crash-test research we carried out at the Millbrook Proving Ground prior to the Approach SE range launch.
What are your plans?
We’re customer-focused and develop ranges to meet market demands, not on a fixed annual date. With the Approach SE selling well, we’re not changing it. We have exciting plans for future Bailey motorhome ranges: an increasingly important part of our business.
What makes you proud?
The Queen rode in an Approach SE 760 during her recent visit — she has yet to confirm her order! Both Bailey caravanners and motorhome owners are buying our models, and what people like about our caravans they also like about our motorhomes. For 65 years, we have manufactured leisure vehicles in which thousands of people have enjoyed seeing more of the world.
Bailey of Bristol
Tel 01173 052 939
Web www.baileyapproach.co.uk
Scot Naylor of Vantage Motorhomes collects his award from our Rob Ganley
VANTAGE MOTORHOMES – BEST SMALL VOLUME MANUFACTURER
Scot Naylor
What sets your company apart?
We’re experienced: I’ve stopped counting how many motorhomes we’ve owned or hired. I started Vantage, determined to offer a product and aftersales service that was better than we’d had.
What’s your company history?
I started Vantage in 2006. We’ve worked hard to get the details right, specialising in luxury two-berth rear-lounge conversions. Our seven-model line-up is based on the Ducato and Sprinter. It’s been a successful formula for us: in 2012 we expanded. Now we have a large showroom, increased production, better habitation servicing and an accessory shop. We need it to keep pace with the increased demand.
Describe your service to buyers.
We make buying unhurried and objective. We won’t sell clients a ’van they’re not entirely happy with. Many people downsized from coachbuilts to our ’vans and love the comfort, greater drivability and fuel economy.
What feedback do you get?
Our customers like buying directly from us: we deal with their warranty and after-sales service promptly and efficiently. We keep them informed during the build process and spend a day handing over. They spend the first night near us, so that we’re on hand.
What makes you proud?
In 2012, as well as the factory move, we launched KOS, a cracking Ducato conversion with a large lounge and twin beds. We were also one of the first van converters to get full European Type Approval from the VCA. When owners ring, they can speak to the people who built their ’van.
Vantage Motorhomes
Tel 01132 426 611
Web www.vantage motorhomes.co.uk
2013 AWARDS FOR MANUFACTURERS OF NEW MOTORHOMES
GOLD AWARD WINNERS
Vantage 98%
Bailey 97%
Niesmann + Bischoff 97%
Chausson 96%
Bentley 93%
Shire Conversions 93%
Horizons Unlimited 93%
Wheelhome 93%
Swift 91%
Auto-Trail 88%
Roller Team/CI 87%
NU Venture Motorhomes 87%
Romahome 86%
Tribute (CB) 86%
Auto-Sleepers 85%
SILVER AWARD WINNERS
Wildax 79%
Autocruise 77%
Bürstner 75%
Elddis 75%
Rapido 72%
Bessacarr 71%
Roll of honour
The following manufacturers received exceptionally high scores but an insufficient number of responses:
EuraMobil, Dethleffs, Murvi, Pilote, Hymer, Timberland,
Karmann Mobil, East Neuk, VW, Itineo, Geist
PAST WINNERS
2011 GOLD AWARD WINNERS
Vantage
Roller Team
MURVI
Elddis
Bessacarr
Auto-Trail
Rapido
Bürstner
Auto-Sleepers
Romahome
2011 SILVER AWARD WINNERS
Autocruise
Swift
Chausson
2010 GOLD AWARD WINNERS
RS Motorhomes
Rapido
Auto-Trail (+Excel)
Bürstner
Elddis/Compass
Hobby
Swift Group
2010 SILVER AWARD WINNERS
Auto-Sleepers
Chausson
The
Awards are now in their ninth year, and don’t forget, it’s the UK’s
most in-depth motorcaravan satisfaction survey and the only one to
feature pre-owned motorhomes.
Read more:
Coast Insurance reports in full here
Meet Britain’s best motorhome dealers here
Direct motorhome sales winners