Situation
Australian off-road camper manufacturer Australian Off Road (AOR), based on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, entered external administration on 15 September with debts to creditors of about A$9 million. According to Source 1, nearly 50 customers risk losing A$2.25 million in deposits for incomplete or unbuilt campers, and about 70 employees are owed A$2.16 million in unpaid wages, superannuation and unused leave entitlements. Australian Taxation Office claims are at least A$2.72 million, suppliers are owed A$1.6 million, while assets are valued at about A$755,000.
Contradictions in reports
Source 2 reports that the company ceased operations late last week: phone disconnected, website down, social media removed, and the office and factory in Caloundra empty. Customers who paid deposits do not know if they will receive their caravans or money back; owners are concerned about warranty and servicing. This comes less than a year after the collapse of Zone RV, which owed 42 million dollars.
Next steps
Administrators are seeking a buyer for the business; if a sale of the company and assets as a single package fails, production equipment and stock are planned to be auctioned separately.