Wicked Campers owner rejects claims that most of QLD fleet has been removed from service

Wicked Campers owner John Webb has hit back at claims the majority of his Queensland fleet has been removed from service.  

Following reports in the national media yesterday alleging all but four of the company’s Queensland fleet had been taken off the road, Webb told Australian Associated Press this was untrue and only five per cent of his fleet had been voluntarily removed from service.

A report by the Brisbane Times said that 77 of Wicked’s 86 Queensland vehicles had been voluntarily withdrawn. The remaining nine were submitted for testing and only four were passed as roadworthy.

Faults included defective seating, oil leaks, severe accident damage and structural rust.

Transport Minister Rachel Nolan said the state-wide audit took place following random compliance checks on Wicked vehicles in Cairns.

But Webb said out of a national fleet of 944, 611 Queensland-registered vehicles remain on the road after about 50 were voluntarily decommissioned.

“About five per cent of our fleet has been voluntarily deregistered, which is generally in line with car rental industry standards,” he said.

Webb added the company will be introducing 500 upgraded vehicles over the next year to phase out all pre-2004 vans.

The reports follow an expose by Channel Nine’s A Current Affair in October slamming the company’s safety record.

By Alice Terlikowski  ·  January 11th, 2010 at 9:00 am

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