Until last week, Otago Motorhomes in Andersons Bay Rd was preparing to close, but a surge in sales for the four months of this year has encouraged the owners to change their minds.
Manager Shane Pluser said so far this year he had sold half the total number of motorhomes he sold for all of last year.
It appeared the economic recession was encouraging people to make lifestyle changes, he said, and for an increasing number that included buying a motorhome.
His has sold them to people who have downsized their business or home, but rather than buying a new car, taking an overseas trip, investing their money at a low interest rate in a bank or facing unacceptable risks putting it with financial companies, Mr Pluser said many wanted the freedom offered by a motorhome.
People were making a major investment and changing their lifestyle.
"They're not toys and they're not replacement cars, which many people are tending to hold off buying."
He has had customers use motorhomes for accommodation for a duck-shooting weekend, through to living in them for two months in Nelson to escape a southern winter.
"People are into lifestyle change and a motorhome can offer that and a lot more," he said.
New car registrations for April dropped to an unprecedented low last month, the Motor Trade Association said.
NZPA reported this week that figures released by the New Zealand Transport Association showed sales in April were 36% lower than April last year and 32% lower than for the year to date compared with the first four months of 2008.
Just 3535 new cars were sold in April, fewer than any time since the early 1970s.
