1,000th Bailey Approach SE motorhome rolls off the production line
Bailey of Bristol were celebrating this week as the 1,000th Approach SE motorhome rolled off its South Liberty Lane production line only, eighteen months after they were first introduced. This notable achievement has been made against a backdrop of economic uncertainty and what have generally been considered difficult trading conditions.
Bailey Caravans have been developed using over sixty five years of experience in caravan design and are manufactured in a state-of-the-art production facility to provide the very best in touring home quality and value. The company looked to bring this same level of expertise to the Motorhome market with the launch of the new Approach SE range at the Motorhome & Caravan Show in October 2011.
The product of an eighteen month comprehensive developed programme, this initial range of coach-built models was built using the Bailey patented Alu-Tech design technology, which was adapted using the latest 3-D computer modelling software to specifically suit the needs of a motorhome. Pre-production vehicles were then subjected to a series of accelerated life and simulated crash tests as well as being given a thorough examination in a climate control chamber at the internationally renowned Millbrook Proving Ground to ensure that every aspect of the new designs have been thoroughly evaluated.
For the full story on the development of the first Bailey motorhome range please visit www.baileyalu-tech.co.uk
The result is a motorhome which is designed to be driven with all models featuring a Peugeot 2.2 Hdi 130 bhp engine complete with a 6-speed manual gearbox, an AL-KO AMC chassis and the Alu-Tech bodyshell as standard specification. This combines with beautifully-styled British interiors, which provide comfort and practicality in equal measure, and a level of specification not normally found on vehicles in this price bracket to make the Bailey Approach SE the complete motorhome range.
This fact has been recognised with the receipt of a number of high profile third party endorsements from leading industry sources the most notable of which include the MMM & Which Motorhome Magazine Non-Fixed Bed Coachbuilt Motorhome of the Year award for the Approach SE 625 and the Overall Winner title received by the Approach SE 745 in The Caravan Club Motor Caravan Design and Drive Competition.
However perhaps the most significant accolade was the receipt of a coveted Gold Award in the first year of entry of the Practical Motorhome Magazine Owner Satisfaction Survey. The company’s vehicles achieved an overall satisfaction rating of 97%, well above the 80% gold standard benchmark, which put them in second place overall and was the highest score achieved by volume manufacturer in the 2013 New Motorhome Survey.
Commenting on reaching this significant landmark Managing Director, Nick Howard said
“To have passed this production milestone in such a short period of time is very encouraging and is testimony both to the popularity of our products and our growing stature as a multi-facetted leisure vehicle manufacturer. That said we understand that there is still plenty to learn and we are very grateful for the guidance we have received from the motorhome community thus far.”
“Based on our achievements to date we see Bailey motorhomes becoming an increasingly important part of our business looking forward” he added
