About Avida Hamilton (New Zealand)

Avida Hamilton is the sole North Island distributor in New Zealand for Avida Motorhomes and the sole New Zealand distributor of Avida Caravans.

ALM wins Australasian Award

Recently Avida Motorhomes and Caravans held their annual Australasian Dealers Conference in Queenstown. This is the first time that this has been held in New Zealand and was a great chance to showcase one of our most beautiful regions to a large contingent from both Avida and their Dealer Network.

At the conclusion of the conference Avida held their annual awards evening, this year Auto Leisure Marine Group (Avida Hamilton) was awarded the prestigious Motorhome Customer Satisfaction Dealer of the Year award. This is awarded to the dealer that has reached a high percentage of sales and most importantly a very high customer satisfaction score from their customers.

This award highlights ALM's commitment to delivering quality customer service to all of its valued clients and also reflects its work in growing the Avida brand in New Zealand. This is the first time the award has gone outside of Australia. This was a fantastic achievement for ALM to be recognised on the international stage.

Avida motor homes and caravans are produced in Australia and the company's roots go back to 1965 when the Freeway Camper Company was formed by Bruce Binns and his wife Ruth. Bruce introduced the first Freeway slide on camper to Australia and they progressed the company by also producing motor homes, caravans, fifth wheelers and tent trailers.

In 1978, the Freeway Camper Company became Winnebago Industries and the original Australian Winnebago was born*. The company's commitment to research and development of vehicles to meet the southern hemisphere conditions and market saw it continue to grow. From 1988 to 2000 the business grew from producing motorhomes in one factory to four factories at its Wetherhill Park site in Sydney. In 2001 the move was made to a new four-hectare site at Emu Plains in NSW, and the company operates out of the same site to this day.

By 2008 consumer demand for motorhomes dictated the need for a second factory on the Emu Plains site. In 2013 the company went through its second rebranding when the name was changed to Avida. The name Avida originates from the word 'avid' - being passionate and enthusiastic. The staff live and breathe this, they are passionate about the products, the customers and the lifestyle that the products offer. Decades on and more than 70 models later, the company is still run by the family to ensure the legacy of the company continues.

Research and development are still at the forefront of the company's philosophy and their continued investment into this area of their company means that the Avida products have been more advanced than the competitors.

Avida was the first to:

• Fit slide outs to motorhomes
• Manufacture A class motorhomes for the Australian market
• Manufacture sandwich panel walls, roof and floor
• Use electric roll down beds
• Install ducted air-conditioning
• Fit a metal sheet under floor for additional protection from road debris
• Use domed profile roofs
• Cover the roofs in EDPM rubber membrane to protect them from the climate
• Test the finished motorhomes in a monsoon style water spray test environment
• Established an accredited sales and service network
• Allocate market territories to their dealers
• Introduce a free first service
• Provide free roadside assistance
• Establish a Customer Support Division
• Offer a 3 year or 1 million kilometre warranty and a 5 year structural guarantee

Avida strives to build motor homes, caravans and campervans that are lightweight, value for money and environmentally friendly whilst still offering the peace of mind with our industry leading warranty and after sales support.

Avida Hamilton bought their first vehicle into New Zealand in 2009 and that Esperance is still owned by the original owners today. We have an extensive service department that will help you take care of all of your recreational vehicle needs. Avida Hamilton is part of ALM Group; a Hamilton-based company that has evolved from a family heritage steeped in tradition to the modern and innovative business it is today, while retaining the values and integrity of yester-year. Andrew Fink has always insisted on outstanding service and providing quality products which is evident in the well known brands he supports and sells, to the products that are manufactured on site.