Dealer of the month: Gateway Caravans
Gateway Caravans are the original Lotus Caravans dealer and have been a trusted business in Geelong since 1985.
The Dealer Principals, Gary Merlo and John Chant, took over the business in 1994 and they just love their caravans “We love the lifestyle of them. You might turn up in a town and stay a bit longer or you can pack up and move on, it just gives you so much flexibility. There’s so much variety with your vans, such a big choice now that wasn’t available years ago,” says Gary.
Gateway Caravans’ customers are passionate about their vans too and according to Gary, there’s a lot that his customers find appealing about Lotus Caravans “They like the finish of the Lotus Caravans product and what’s available. Whether you want to do semi-off-road camping in the national parks or you want to be self-sufficient. The big Trooper’s got your Dometic 190L 12V fridge, 2x100Ah Lithium batteries and 4x160W solar panels, so you don’t even have to go into a caravan park if you don’t really want to. Lotus Caravans just gives them so much freedom of choice.”
The Lotus Caravans, Gateway Caravans partnership has been going strong for over 10 years and Gary says the change in Lotus Caravans business has been enormous “We got introduced to them back in 2003 and got our first vans through in 2004. Lotus Caravans have just evolved so much over the years from when we first took them on. George had a dream to do something with off-road and he achieved it. He was very ambitious for a young 21-year old when he started. They’ve certainly grown from a small factory in Fleet Street in Somerton and now into Cooper Street.”
In 2013, Gary Merlo was awarded the Charlie Tebb CIA VIC Service to The Industry Award. This was followed by Life Membership being awarded in recognition for outstanding industry contribution at the recent Hall of Fame night held in Melbourne by the Victorian Caravan Association.
Make sure to catch Gateway Caravans at the Melbourne Leisurefest from Thursday October 5th to Sunday October 8th, where they’ll have at least 12 vans on display, ranging from the Tremor, Freelander, Trooper and Off Grid.
Visit them 7 days a week at their dealership (closed public holidays) at 112 Bellarine Hwy, Newcomb in Geelong and they’ll help you get into a Lotus Caravan.
Ph: (03) 5248 7006
Email: sales@gatewaycaravans.com.au
