Riviera delivered over 100 new yachts in 2019, capping off a spectacular year for the Australian boat builder.
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At the company’s annual end of year celebrations, Riviera owner Rodney Longhurst addressed the 600-strong team and paid tribute to both the craftsmen and women who create Australia’s most popular motor yachts and the almost 5,600 yacht owners that make up their global ‘Riviera family’.
“Why are Riviera yachts in such demand?” said Mr. Longhurst. “Why do boaters often comment that Riviera is among the finest motor yachts in the world?
“We have a special culture here that all of you have created, together. All of you work as a united team. You have a real commitment to excellence and you work with us to nurture future champions in our team and to create the finest motor yachts we can.
“This culture is what makes Riviera, Australia’s world-class motor yacht builder and allows our owners to have the time of their lives aboard our yachts. That’s a great reward for us all and in recognition of this, I thank each and every one of you here today for your part in our success as much as I thank our owners publicly for their trust in us all,” added Mr Longhurst.
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In 2019, the skilled in-house design and new yacht development team in collaboration with international specialists was expanded to over 50 people. Their mission is to remain nimble and respond to customer needs with fresh eyes and fresh approaches.
With the 68 and 72 Sports Motor Yacht, for example, Riviera saw an opportunity to create a new and unique class of yacht. They perceived a similar opportunity with the SUV range developing a niche slightly away from the mainstream.
These two series now bring to five the number of distinct model collections offered by Riviera in 2019 – Sport Yacht, SUV, Flybridge, Sports Motor Yacht and Belize – featuring 20 models in total, ranging from 39 to 72 feet with more exceptional models currently under development for release in 2020 and 2021.
It’s a formidable range, one that is continually evolving:
Riviera Sport Yacht Platinum Edition
2019’s boat show season witnessed the unveiling of Riviera’s outstanding Platinum Edition Sport Yachts in May – the 4800 Series II, 5400 and 6000. Externally, there’s the unmistakable addition of hardtops and targa arches accented in Platinum, along with a gracious sunbed on the foredeck.
Riviera 54 Enclosed Flybridge
The Riviera 54 Enclosed Flybridge, also made its international premiere in May 2019. The 54 is topped by a solid, three-sided haven that shields occupants from the elements whilst at the same time can be opened-up entirely with a large sunroof and side sliding windows.
Utilising the 54’s soft-riding and proven blue water hull, the 545 SUV was launched in July 2019 as a single-level adventure, water sports and entertainer with the ocean cruising pedigree of a flybridge.
Belize 66 Daybridge
In November, the bespoke Belize 66 Daybridge had her world premiere. This 66-footer is now acclaimed for her interior volume and craftsmanship, along with effortless performance.
2019 – A year of confidence
At the 2019 Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, Riviera showcased its largest-ever display in the Americas with a grand total of 12-motor yachts.
In all, Riviera exhibited at over 35 boat shows around the globe in 2019 including the premier international shows – Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Palm Beach and Cannes plus a myriad of other shows from Thailand to San Diego, Vancouver to New England, Japan to Auckland and Annapolis to Barcelona.
New representatives were appointed during 2019 in New York, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands. This adds to the recent addition of representatives in Turkey, Spain, Hong Kong, Macau and further appointments in the Americas. Asia also showed growth in 2019 for Riviera with new yachts being delivered to Japan, Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand.
This continued growth and global expansion is good news for Riviera’s 600-strong workforce, with more than 70 apprentices currently engaged in learning and plying their craft. In 2020, the number of Riviera apprentices will increase by over 10%.
2020 will be another year of growth and expansion for Riviera:
Riviera 505 SUV – World Premiere 2020
The new 505 SUV will make her international debut in February 2020 at the Miami Yacht Show. This multi-functional cruising yacht integrates a number of the distinctive Riviera “big-boat” attributes while staying faithful to the SUV pedigree.
One of these is the 505’s raised and covered mezzanine seating and alfresco dining area, which gains extra privacy and protection from the elements, along with the comfort of built-in furniture and storage.
Riviera 64 Sports Motor Yacht – World Premiere 2020
An all-new 64-footer will join the Sports Motor Yacht fleet in May, bringing equally high levels of offshore capability, opulence and innovation as her sister ships.
The Sports Motor Yacht concept has been widely embraced, with over 20 yachts purchased by owners in Europe, the Americas, New Zealand and Australia over the past 18 months. The 64 will follow this level of popularity with multiple agreements signed ahead of its release at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show in May.
“I am very much looking forward to 2020. Boat owners the world over have enthusiastically welcomed our new models, which further inspires us to continue to innovate and create new yachts of true distinction,” says Rodney Longhurst.
“In 2020, Riviera will celebrate 40 years of motor yacht-building and the launching of over 5,600 yachts in that period – a significant achievement that is testament to the excellence in everything we do, from the concept and design of a new motor yacht to the delivery and owner support offered with all our new yachts.”
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