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This 70-Year-Old Campervan Brand Is Back. But Can It Adapt?

Motorhome Matt

5,336 views

One of the UK’s longest-established campervan names is back. But can a 70-year-old brand modernise its vans, attract new buyers and still keep its loyal owners happy?

This week, we meet the new owner of Devon Conversions and look at what its return tells us about a changing leisure vehicle market, from the growth of van conversions to pressure on caravan sales and motorhome dealers.

Matt talks to Steve Fairbairn, who took on Devon Conversions after Peter retired and the business closed. Steve explains why he didn’t want the name to disappear, what he acquired to get production moving again, and how he plans to update a traditionally styled campervan without abandoning the build quality and layouts Devon owners know.

Also in this episode:

• Why Devon Conversions is concentrating on one model as it starts again
• The challenge of attracting a new generation of campervan buyers
• Why Matt sees significant growth in van conversions and micro campers
• The financial pressures facing parts of the motorhome and caravan trade
• What happens to servicing and warranty work when your supplying dealer closes
• The carbon monoxide risk when an awning encloses boiler and fridge vents
• Why motorhomes may not be designed for continuous full-time living
• Why an extremely low-mileage used motorhome isn’t necessarily the bargain it appears to be
• How weight, cost and increasingly complex base vehicles can affect the components fitted by manufacturers

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CHAPTERS
00:00 Devon Conversions Is Back
01:32 The 70-Year History of Devon Conversions
02:34 Why Devon Conversions Closed and Started Again
03:42 Can Devon Win Over a New Generation?
06:28 Motorhome Dealers Face Financial Pressure
08:00 Caravan Sales Decline as Campervans Grow
11:19 What Happens to Your Warranty If a Dealer Goes Bust?
13:34 Is the Motorhome Industry Under-Regulated?
15:02 The Carbon Monoxide Risk With Awnings
18:43 Are Motorhomes Built for Full-Time Living?
20:59 Why Very Low Mileage Can Be a Warning Sign
22:19 Are Cheaper Components Affecting Motorhome Reliability?

#MotorhomeMatt #Campervan #Motorhome

14 Comments

@MotorhomeMatt Creator 1 month ago Pinned

Devon Conversions has 70 years of history behind it, but Steve now has an interesting balancing act: modernise the vans and attract a new generation without losing the owners who’ve been loyal to Devon for years.

What would you change about a traditional campervan to tempt today’s buyer, and what would you absolutely leave alone?

@Captains-waggery 1 month ago

Good luck to Steve and Devon. My aunt and uncle had a Devon conversion back in the 1970s which o remember with great affection on holidays in Spain, Italy and Germany.

@karlospappy8908 1 month ago

Best of Luck to Steve & Devon, I had a look at the vans on display at Newark and the thing that caught my eye immediately was knock on edging which is one of the first things he should change. Cheers K.

@travelcampervansandmore 1 month ago

I hope that somebody will buy MURVI who have gone into liquidation as the layouts are truly unique.

@dotabledot 1 month ago

Love our Aztec Xl, looking forward to a new one next year. Hate the drop down sink in the washroom, hope Steve has an alternative now.

@relaycampervan 1 month ago

We love our Devon Sahara, been all over europe in it. Hope the brand keeps going.

@SeanyDee 1 month ago

We purchased our 5th Devon in October only to be told a week later they was ending, imagine how we felt. Peter could have at least advised us at point of order.
After speaking to Steve it's clearly not the same.

@Madonsteamrailways 1 month ago

I’m looking for my first campervan. It must be small enough for using on an everyday basis so that I can drive it daily.

@terryrobinson7371 1 month ago

As I understand the Lincoln MMM show is the 18th to 20th not the 25th as mentioned in your podcast.

@Captains-waggery 1 month ago

Manufactures should not build vans with the boiler and fridge outlet on the leisure door side where owners may put an awning.

@Madonsteamrailways 1 month ago

So far, my favourite campervan is the Kia PV5 because it’s both a parkable height and length. My other favourites are:
Volkswagen
Ford.
The reason I like the Kia is that it’s an electric vehicle rather than one that burns fossil fuels!!

@MikeTudor-r1w 1 month ago

Hi Matt if you talk to anyone who manufactured anything they tell you it’s law that it has to have a5yr warranty why do motorhome manufacturers think their different

@Madonsteamrailways 1 month ago

My father towed a 1966 Sprite Alpine from 1969-1987, when the Sprite was put onto a permanent site in the Dordogne valley of France!!

@FredFox-m9v 1 month ago (edited)

Tell John not to buy a coach built motorhome because of the inevitable water ingress and make sure that the van doesn't have a wet belt causing catastrophic engine and brake failure, purely because of bad product design and poor longevity based design.