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Hi Folks

Just a quick one - does anyone know why ABI stopped making touring caravans?

The Sprinter/Monza etc were excellent!

I got this info from http://www.abiandfriends.org.uk/html/caravans.html

ABI’s innovation, coupled with production of well made durable tourers such as the Marauder and the follow on Sprinter, made the early 1990’s a successful period for the Company. However, the late 1990’s proved to be a disaster - ABI was building tourers for the UK, French, German and Dutch markets, and its comprehensive range of tourers meant that ABI models were most caravanners first choice. However, the financial strain of the large export commitments took their toll, and in 1998 600 employees were laid off and the company crashed. An eleventh hour deal resulted in the creation of ABI(UK) Ltd, which went on to produce new and revitalised tourer ranges such as the Quartz, the Manhatten, and the Ikea-styled Papillon.

However, sales did not reach expected levels, and in 2001 ABI(UK) Ltd announced its intention to cease all tourer manufacture to concentrate on the holiday home side of the business. The end of an era.

Also most ABI from the 1980 and 90 leaked we had a transtar and know other with ABI and they all leaked if you see one for sale today I bet you will find signs of water coming in.

We were also told by dealers that they did not like taking in ABI because of the leaks, we broke ours up and sold it in bits.

Sennen

I've got a 1992 ABI Cricket, no damp anywhere in her! 

Jazzycats. 

Well I am surprised I have never seen or met anyone with a dry van and we rally a lot and everyone who has had one all said they leaked.  Well done to those of you who have dry vans, but this was one of the reasons the company went broke people did not replace they ABI with another one because of the problems.

Sennen

Maybe we should start a Dry Abi Club.

If i read this suggestion on any other sites, then i'll know there's been a leak!