Deluxe RV Group History

As many of you know, Deluxe RV Group is a family owned and operated business with a heritage we are all very proud of. We are currently running on the third generation of Smith family involvement with the fourth generation starting their after school work recently.

The Smith family originates in Woodend where Gary's parents Brad and Phyl Smith owned and operated a small garage and service station which they later extended to also run a small bus service. Phyl was actually the first female bus driver in New Zealand.
During the 1970’s Brad and Phyl moved their young family to Blenheim where they took on a number of business ventures over the years starting with a service station and then in 1972 the well known local bus service De-Luxe Motors which was originally established in the 1920's. De-Luxe Motors eventually morphed into Deluxe Travel Line over time and became the local bus operator including school runs, wine trails and South Island wide coach tours. Our current main premises at 45 Main Street was also constructed. 
Brad and Phyl, with the support of Gary and Greg working in the business later expanded into an Australian tourism venture (1989), a local hotel (1991), bus importation from Japan and residential property development.

​After a decade or so of trading, the Hotel was sold to Scenic Circle and the bus operations sold to Richie's Coachlines, with the family retaining the Deluxe brand name and continuing with Japanese bus imports and property development.
Imported buses were popular for customers seeking or undertaking motorhome conversions. Before European motorhomes gained popularity, bus conversions formed the bulk of motorhomes on NZ roads. However over time European motorhomes gained popularity and importation became easier and cheaper, while imports of Japanese buses became more difficult. Deluxe RV Group had already naturally started moving into sales of European motorhomes and caravans.
 
As the businesses grew, so too did the number of family members involved. In early 2020 a family wide decision was made to split the main businesses to make things simpler for future generations. 
Greg and his immediate family took full control of the property development business and Gary, Brett and Daryl now have full control of the RV side of the business, so both businesses are now fully independent of each other but still operate under the Deluxe Group brand.
When visiting Deluxe RV, you are certain to meet at least one of the family with Gary overseeing Vehicle Sales and Logistics, Daryl as the General Manager and Brett working as both the Workshop Manager and After-Sales Manager.