Angry customers who lost millions in Zone RV collapse demand ASIC investigation

Angry customers who lost millions of dollars when luxury caravan company Zone RV collapsed have launched a national campaign demanding ASIC hold the former director accountable. 

Sunshine Coast-based Zone RV plunged into administration in December, owing $42 million to hundreds of creditors, including staff, suppliers and customers. 

The company was voted into liquidation in January, before a Melbourne-based rival purchased Zone RV’s assets to continue the brand. 

But about 140 customers are still owed more than $10 million after paying up to $160,000 in progress payments for caravans that were not built.

As unsecured creditors, the customers face walking away empty-handed and waving goodbye to retirement dreams. 

Liquidators accuse former director David Biggar of multiple breaches of the federal Corporations Act and said he “failed to act in good faith by continuing to trade whilst insolvent” for up to two-and-a-half years. 

Customers demand action

Gold Coast resident Natasha Daley lost $160,000 and represents about 70 customers who say they are collectively owed nearly $7 million. 

She wrote a joint submission to ASIC on behalf of customers, pushing the corporate watchdog to “take some sort of action”. 

“I’m feeling disgusted and angry … there’s been significant consumer harm,” Ms Daley said. 

Natasha Daley is leading a campaign demanding ASIC investigates allegations against Zone RV former director David Biggar.  (Supplied)

“My husband and I had retired from our jobs finally and [were] planning a trip around Australia for a couple of years.”

That dream has now evaporated. 

“Retirement plans are on hold, 1775428628 back to work for 12 to 18 months to try and recover some of our funds,” she said. 

Ms Daley said customers want ASIC to investigate Mr Biggar after the liquidator’s allegations of insolvent trading. 

“He needs to be held to account,” she said.

“There’s been so many mums and dads, retirees that will never get these funds back again, that need ASIC to do the right thing [and] investigate to the full extent possible.”

Mr Biggar did not respond to requests for comment. 

Zone RV founder and former director David Biggar has not spoken publicly since the company collapsed. (Supplied: Youtube)

The liquidator Cor Cordis attributed the company’s failure to “poor financial management”, periods without leadership in finance and operations, and a reliance on customer instalment payments to fund Zone RV’s operations.

Mr Biggar signed a loan agreement in December 2024 to personally provide Zone RV up to $10 million.

Despite the company’s struggles, Mr Biggar only loaned $2 million to Zone RV in June 2025, before repaying himself about $1 million in the weeks before the company collapsed.

Perth-based customer Eduard Planken, who lost $154,000, is supporting the campaign for ASIC to investigate Mr Biggar. 

Zone RV customers have been left angry and shocked. (ABC News: Steve Johns)

“We want this exposed because these cases can slide through the cracks,” he said. 

“Everyday mum and dads get left behind … and it’s shameful. 

“It’s blatant misuse of our funds. 

“We’ve all been affected very severely.” 

Mr Planken is one of many customers around the country lobbying their federal MPs to raise the matter in parliament. 

He joined other WA-based customers outside the office of Member for Perth Patrick Gorman, who was unavailable for a meeting and declined to answer the ABC’s questions. 

Federal treasurer weighs in 

The Zone RV case has caught the attention of federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers, who signalled his expectation for the watchdog to step up its enforcement action. 

“My heart goes out to those caught up in this, especially the older Australians who had been looking forward to their retirement but have now been left out of pocket,” Mr Chalmers told the ABC. 

Cor Cordis delivered about 40 caravans to customers who had paid money towards their vans, but about 140 customers were not so lucky. (ABC Sunshine Coast: Josh Dye)

The treasurer said the government was arming the regulator with the resources to protect consumers. 

“The Albanese government is ensuring ASIC has the resources and leadership it needs to protect consumers and keep our economy strong and well-regulated,” Mr Chalmers said. 

“[In February] I appointed Sarah Court as the new chair of ASIC, who brings a strong track record of enforcement.”

Media reports at the time highlighted Ms Court’s appointment as a positive sign that ASIC would step up its prosecution, after widespread criticism of the regulator’s enforcement record. 

“ASIC secured $350 million in civil penalties in the second half of last year alone, demonstrating just how seriously it takes its role as corporate regulator.”

Read more on Zone RV’s collapse

Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson described Zone RV’s collapse as “distressing” and said the corporate watchdog was under-resourced. 

“We need a tough corporate cop on the beat,” he said.

Mr Wilson blamed Mr Chalmers for failing to adequately resource ASIC. 

Misconduct reports surge

An ASIC spokesperson declined to comment on whether the regulator was investigating Zone RV, but urged anyone with information about the company to contact them.

“We will continue to consider any material updates about the companies and their operation, including information from the liquidators and reports of misconduct submitted by creditors and members of the public,” the spokesperson said. 

“In the last five years, the number of formal investigations we’ve carried out has increased by 129 per cent and we continue to take strong enforcement action against small and medium-sized businesses and directors who do the wrong thing.”

ASIC recently disclosed a surge in the number of misconduct reports it received. 

Between July and December last year, the watchdog received 9,686 complaints, compared to 7,561 reports in the first half of 2025. 

The number of tip-offs relating to corporate governance surged 37 per cent. 

Zone RV customers are demanding ASIC investigates the liquidator’s allegations of misconduct made against former director David Biggar. (ABC News: Steve Johns)

The watchdog receives more than 10,000 reports of misconduct each year but is only resourced to formally investigate a few hundred claims, with fewer still progressing to prosecution stage.

A Senate inquiry in 2024 found ASIC consistently failed to prosecute offenders and ignored most alleged reports of misconduct. 

Former Zone RV chief financial officer Kim Hodgkins has previously criticised ASIC after the watchdog refused to investigate a whistleblower complaint she made against Zone RV in September. 

Liquidator considering litigation

Separate to any possible ASIC action, the liquidator Cor Cordis is investigating in preparation for civil litigation against Mr Biggar. 

Cor Cordis will provide a report to creditors later this month, which will provide clarity on customers’ options to recover funds. 

The last report highlighted a possible claim of $21 million against Mr Biggar. 

Melbourne-based Essential Caravans purchased Zone RV’s assets in February to continue manufacturing caravans under the existing brand. 

Essential Caravans has promised to offer old customers a discount on a new caravan, although many people cannot afford to pay again. 

Ms Daley said customers were “not willing to rest” until they saw accountability.

“We will fight this until ASIC do something,” she said. 

“There’s too many unanswered questions.”