<SUBMISSION>
<ACCESSION-NUMBER>0000950124-01-000248
<TYPE>S-3
<PUBLIC-DOCUMENT-COUNT>4
<FILING-DATE>20010119
<FILER>
<COMPANY-DATA>
<CONFORMED-NAME>CHAMPION ENTERPRISES INC
<CIK>0000814068
<ASSIGNED-SIC>2451
<IRS-NUMBER>382743168
<STATE-OF-INCORPORATION>MI
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>1225
</COMPANY-DATA>
<FILING-VALUES>
<FORM-TYPE>S-3
<ACT>33
<FILE-NUMBER>333-53978
<FILM-NUMBER>1511719
</FILING-VALUES>
<BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>2701 UNIVERSITY DR
<STREET2>STE 300
<CITY>AUBURN HILLS
<STATE>MI
<ZIP>48326
<PHONE>2483409090
</BUSINESS-ADDRESS>
<MAIL-ADDRESS>
<STREET1>2701 UNIVERSITY DRIVE
<STREET2>STE 300
<CITY>AUBURN HILLS
<STATE>MI
<ZIP>48326
</MAIL-ADDRESS>
</FILER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>S-3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>k59634s-3.txt
<DESCRIPTION>FORM S-3
<TEXT>

<PAGE>   1


    As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 19, 2001
                                                  Registration No. 333-_________
================================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                                 ---------------

                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      Under
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                                 ---------------

                           CHAMPION ENTERPRISES, INC.
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                           <C>
           Michigan                                                                               38-2743168
(State or other jurisdiction of                                                                (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                                                                Identification No.)
</TABLE>

                          2701 Cambridge Ct., Suite 300
                          Auburn Hills, Michigan 48326
                                 (248) 340-9090
               (Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
        including area code, of Registrant's principal executive offices)

                           John J. Collins, Jr., Esq.
              Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
                           Champion Enterprises, Inc.
                          2701 Cambridge Ct., Suite 300
                          Auburn Hills, Michigan 48326
                                 (248) 340-9090
            (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
                   including area code, of agent for service)
                                 ---------------
                                    copy to:

                            D. Richard McDonald, Esq.
                               Dykema Gossett PLLC
                        39577 Woodward Avenue, Suite 300
                           Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304

         Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to public: From time
to time after this Registration Statement is declared effective.

         If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or investment plans, please check the following box. [ ]

         If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be
offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the
Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with
dividend or reinvestment plans, please check the following box. [X]

         If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ]

         If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule
462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities
Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration
statement for the same offering. [ ]

         If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule
434, please check the following box. [ ]

                                 ---------------
                         CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
========================================================================================================================
                                                                    Proposed          Proposed
                                                                    Maximum           Maximum
                                                                    Offering         Aggregate           Amount of
        Title of Each Class of              Amount to be           Price Per          Offering          Registration
     Securities to be Registered             Registered            Share (1)           Price                Fee
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                           <C>                    <C>             <C>                 <C>
                                             1,000,000              $5.41           $5,410,000           $1,352.50
Common Stock, no par value                   Shares (2)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           indeterminable
Options to Purchase                           number of
Common Stock                                   options              $ - - -           $ - - -            $- - - (3)
========================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
(1)      Estimated solely for the purpose of determining the amount of the
         registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c)under the Securities Act of
         1933, based upon the average of the high and low reported sales prices
         of the Common Stock for January 18, 2001.

(2)      Issuable upon exercise of options. The number of shares may be adjusted
         to prevent dilution from stock splits, stock dividends and similar
         transactions. This Registration Statement shall cover any such
         additional shares in accordance with Rule 416(a).

(3)      No separate registration fee is required for the options. See Rule
         457(g).
<PAGE>   2
                                   PROSPECTUS

                           CHAMPION ENTERPRISES, INC.

                               1,000,000 SHARES OF

                           COMMON STOCK, $1 PAR VALUE

                      AND OPTIONS TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK

         The 1,000,000 shares of common stock (the "Common Stock"), of Champion
Enterprises, Inc. (the "Company") offered by this Prospectus (the "Offering")
are authorized and unissued shares that may be sold from time to time upon
exercise of the options (the "Options") granted pursuant to the Company's
Salesperson Retention Plan (the "Plan"). See "Plan of Distribution". The
Offering is not underwritten. The Company's principal executive offices are
located at 2701 Cambridge Ct., Suite 300, Auburn Hills, Michigan 48326
(telephone number: (248) 340-9090).

         The Common Stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE"). On
January 18, 2001, the closing sale price for the Common Stock as traded on NYSE
was $5.625, as reported in the Wall Street Journal.

                        This Offering is not Underwritten

         THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS
THE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR
ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL
OFFENSE.

                                -----------------

                The date of this Prospectus is January 19, 2001.

         NO DEALER, SALESMAN OR OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION OTHER THAN AS CONTAINED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING DESCRIBED HEREIN AND, IF GIVEN OR
MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN
AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY. THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS AT ANY TIME DOES NOT
IMPLY THAT THE INFORMATION HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO THE
DATE HEREOF OR THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY. THIS
PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER
TO BUY SUCH SECURITIES IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION
IS UNLAWFUL.


                                       2
<PAGE>   3
                              AVAILABLE INFORMATION


         The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") and in
accordance therewith files reports and other information with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy statements and other
information may be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities
maintained by the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549
and at the following regional offices of the Commission: New York Regional
Office, 7 World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048; and Chicago
Regional Office, Suite 1400, 500 West Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois
60661-2511. In addition, copies of such material can be obtained at prescribed
rates from the Public Reference Section of the Commission, 450 Fifth Street,
N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 or by calling the Public Reference Section at (800)
SEC-0330. The Commission also maintains a website (http://www.sec.gov) that
contains reports, proxy and information statements on Form S-3 and other
information regarding the Company.

         This Prospectus is a part of a Registration Statement filed by the
Company with the Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"). This Prospectus omits certain of the information included in
such Registration Statement. The Registration Statement may be inspected by
anyone at the office of the Commission without charge, and copies of all or any
part of it may be obtained upon payment of the Commission's charge for copying.
For further information about the Company and its securities, reference is
hereby made to such Registration Statement, and to the exhibits and financial
schedules filed as part thereof or otherwise incorporated herein. Each summary
herein of additional information included in the Registration Statement or any
exhibit thereto is qualified in its entirety by reference to such information or
exhibit.


                 INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE


         The following documents (and the amendments thereto) filed by the
Company with the Commission are hereby incorporated by reference and made a part
hereof:

         (a)      The description of the Company's Common Stock included in the
                  Registration Statement on Form 8-A, No. 1-9751 filed under the
                  Securities Exchange Act of 1934;

         (b)      Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 1, 2000;

         (c)      Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended April 1,
                  2000, July 1, 2000 and September 30, 2000.




                                       3
<PAGE>   4
         All documents filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to
Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of
this Prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering of the securities
covered by this Prospectus shall be deemed to be incorporated herein by
reference and to be a part hereof from the respective date of filing of each
such document. Any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference
or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus shall be deemed to
be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a
statement contained herein or in any subsequently filed document which also is
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or
supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall
not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this
Prospectus.

         To the extent the foregoing documents are incorporated by reference
herein, copies may be obtained without charge (other than for exhibits to such
documents) upon written or oral request communicated to John J. Collins, Jr.,
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary at the Company's principal
executive offices, located at 2701 Cambridge Ct., Suite 300, Auburn Hills,
Michigan 48326 (telephone number: (248) 340-9090).


                                 USE OF PROCEEDS


         The Offering made hereby is for the purpose of providing additional
incentive to Participants in the Plan (as defined below) to remain with their
current employer. The Company will not receive any proceeds from the sale of
Common Stock.


                           FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS


         The Company may from time to time make written or oral forward looking
statements, including statements contained in the Company's filings with the
Commission and its reports to shareholders. This Prospectus contains and
incorporates by reference certain statements that could be considered forward
looking. Such statements are or will be based on the Company's estimates,
assumptions and projections, and are subject to risks and uncertainties,
including those specifically listed below and those contained in the Company's
reports previously filed with the SEC, that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those included in the forward looking statements. Long term
growth in the manufactured housing industry may be affected by: (1) the relative
cost of manufactured housing versus other forms of housing; (2) general economic
trends, including inflation and unemployment rates, consumer confidence, job
growth and interest rates; (3) changes in demographics, including new household
formations and the number of Americans on fixed income; (4) the availability and
cost of financing for manufactured homes; (5) changes in government regulations
and policies, including HUD regulations, local building codes and zoning
regulations; and(6) changes in regional markets and the U.S. economy as a whole.
Short-term sales



                                       4
<PAGE>   5
could be affected by inclement weather and inventory levels of manufactured
housing retailers. Fluctuations in interest rates may affect the demand for
manufactured housing to the extent that those changes reduce job growth, slow
the U.S. economy, or cause a loss in consumer confidence. The profitability of
the registrant may also be affected by: (1) its ability to efficiently expand
operations and utilize production capacity; (2) its ability to pass increased
raw material costs, particularly lumber, insulation and drywall costs, onto its
customers; (3) market share position; (4) growth in the manufactured housing
industry as a whole; (5) the results of its acquisitions; and (6)strength of
retail distribution. Reference is hereby made to "Risk Factors" in the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2000 previously
incorporated herein by reference.


                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION


         The Company has reserved 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock for issuance
pursuant to Options. "Participants" in the Plan shall be employee and
non-employee salespeople at Company owned or Champion Home Center retailers,
provided they have been a salesperson for their current employer for at least
six months. Participants shall be selected by the Chief Executive Officer (the
"CEO") of the Company (or such other person(s) as the CEO shall delegate), and
without the necessity of any action on the part of the Participant. The Plan
shall be implemented on January 1, 2001. Each Plan year shall run from January 1
through December 31 ("Plan Year"). The Plan shall continue until terminated at
the discretion of the Company.

         The Plan shall be administered by the Board of Directors of the Company
(the "Board") according to its terms. The Board shall interpret the Plan,
prescribe, amend, and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan, and
make all other determinations necessary or advisable for its administration. The
decision of the Board on any question concerning the interpretation of the Plan
or any option granted under the Plan shall be final and binding upon all
participants. No member of the Board shall be liable for any action or
determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any grant
hereunder. The Board hereby delegates authority to the CEO of the Company,
subject to any such terms and limitations as the Board shall determine, to
administer the Plan on behalf of the Board. The CEO (or the CEO's designee)
shall keep records, send statements of account activity to Participants and
perform clerical and ministerial duties related to the Plan.

         The CEO of the Company at any time and from time to time, in accordance
with the terms of the Plan, may grant options to such Participants and for such
number of shares of Common Stock as he or she shall designate. Prior to the end
of the first quarter of each Plan Year, the Chief Executive Officer of the
Company shall grant all options to Participants for that Plan Year. Prior to the
end of the first quarter of any given year, each Participant shall be informed
of the number of options that were granted to such Participant that year. Each
Participant may be granted up to 100 options in any Plan Year or such greater
amount as determined by the Board. In order for the options to vest and for the
Participant to be issued a stock certificate, (a) the Participant must remain
with his/her current employer until the third anniversary of the first day of
the Plan Year in which options



                                       5
<PAGE>   6
were granted; and (b) the Participant's employer must be a Champion Home Centers
Retailer at the time the options vest. Should the Participant leave his/her
employ for any reason at any time prior to the expiration of the three-year
vesting period, the right to receive the shares shall be forfeited automatically
and no rights whatsoever accompanying stock ownership shall ever be conferred
upon the Participant. Once the options vest, the Company will forward to the
Participant a stock certificate for the vested shares. Each option shall entitle
the Participant to one share of Common Stock upon vesting of the option.

         After each Plan Year, the Company may forward to each Participant a
statement from the Company outlining such Participant's "account". The statement
shall specify the number of options issued to the Participant and the date upon
which the options will vest to the Participant. Unless and until the Common
Stock vests, the Participant has only received options to receive stock in the
future subject to certain conditions. However, should the Participant continue
with his/her employment throughout the three-year vesting period and the other
conditions are met, the option shall be deemed automatically exercised on
December 31st of the Plan Year in which such options vest. The shares of Common
Stock will be automatically issued to the Participant without the necessity of
any action on the part of the Participant. The consideration for the options and
for the grant of shares shall be the length of time that the Participant has
remained with his/her current employer. Any share certificates shall be
automatically mailed to the Participant during the quarter following the end of
the Plan Year in which such options vest.

         All information with respect to the Participant shall be kept by the
Company including such Participant's name, address and social security number.
Because grants are automatic, the Participant and the Participant's employer
must keep his/her information current with the Company. The employer and the
Participant must forward this information, along with any changes in employment
status, to the Company upon whenever such information changes, or upon request.
Shares will be issued in the name of the Participant and according to the other
information on file with the Company, and the Company shall not be responsible
for any damages relative to any errors in this information. The Plan may be
amended by the Company at any time and may be terminated by the Company in its
sole discretion, but no amendment or modification of the Plan shall in any
manner adversely affect any options already granted under the Plan without the
consent of the Participant holding such option. Amendments to the Plan announced
from time to time by the Company will become effective at such times as are
determined by the Company. Each Participant shall receive a new copy of the Plan
when amended. Termination of the Plan shall not affect the rights of holders of
any unvested or vested shares.


                                  LEGAL MATTERS


         The validity under Michigan law of the authorization and issuance of
the shares offered hereby will be passed upon for the Company by Dykema Gossett
PLLC, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.



                                       6
<PAGE>   7
                                     EXPERTS


         The financial statements incorporated in this Prospectus by reference
to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 1, 2000,
have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers,
LLP, independent accountants, given on the authority of said firm as experts in
auditing and accounting.





































                                       7
<PAGE>   8
                                     PART II
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS


ITEM 14.          OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION

         The following statement sets forth the estimated amounts of expenses to
be borne by the Company in connection with the distribution of the Common Stock
offered hereby:

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                          <C>
         Securities and Exchange Commission Registration Fee.............................       $ 1,352.50
         Accounting Fees and Expenses....................................................    *    1,000.00
         Legal Fees and Expenses.........................................................    *    2,000.00
         Miscellaneous Expenses..........................................................    *    1,000.00

         Total Expenses..................................................................       $ 5,352.50
                                                                                                 =========

         ------------------
         * Estimated.
</TABLE>
ITEM 15.          INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

         The Company is organized under the Michigan Business Corporation Act
(the "MBCA") which, in general, empowers Michigan corporations to indemnify a
person who is a party or threatened to be made a party to any civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding (other than actions
by or in the right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that such person is
or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or of another
enterprise at such corporation's request, against expenses, judgments, fines and
amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred in connection
therewith if such person acted in good faith and in a manner he or she
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation or its shareholders and, in the case of a criminal action or
proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful.
If a person is successful in defending against a derivative action or
third-party action, the MBCA requires that a Michigan corporation indemnify the
person against expenses incurred in the action.

         The MBCA also empowers Michigan corporations to provide similar
indemnity against amounts paid in settlement and expenses actually and
reasonably incurred by such a person in actions or suits by or in the right of
the corporation except in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such
person is adjudged to be liable to the corporation, unless and only to the
extent that a court determines that, despite the adjudication of the liability
but in view of all circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and
reasonably entitled to indemnity.

         The Company's bylaws generally require the Company to indemnify its
directors and officers to the fullest extent permissible under Michigan law,
require the advancement and reimbursement



                                      II-1
<PAGE>   9
of expenses under certain circumstances and establish a procedure for
determination of when indemnification is proper.

         The MBCA permits Michigan corporations to limit the personal liability
of directors for a breach of their fiduciary duty. The Company's Articles of
Incorporation, which limit liability to the maximum extent permitted by law,
provide that a director of the Company shall not be personally liable to the
Company or its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of the director's
fiduciary duty. However, the MBCA and the Articles of Incorporation do not
eliminate or limit the liability of a director for any of the following: (i) a
breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the Company or its shareholders;
(ii) acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct
or a knowing violation of law; (iii) declaration of an unlawful dividend, stock
purchase or redemption; (iv) a transaction from which the director derives an
improper personal benefit; and (v) an act or omission occurring prior to the
date when the provision becomes effective. As a result of the inclusion of such
a provision, shareholders of the Company may be unable to recover monetary
damages against directors for actions taken by them which constitute negligence
or gross negligence or which are in violation of their fiduciary duties,
although it may be possible to obtain injunctive or other equitable relief with
respect to such actions.

         Under an insurance policy maintained by the Company, the directors and
officers of the Company are insured, within the limits and subject to the
limitations of the policy, against certain expenses and liabilities incurred in
connection with the defense of certain claims, actions, suits or proceedings
which may be brought against them by reason of being or having been directors or
officers. In addition, a certain registration rights agreement to which the
Company is a party provides that the Company will indemnify, to the extent
permitted by law, each holder of "registrable securities" (as defined in such
agreement) against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and expenses caused
by misstatements or omissions in any registration statement, prospectus or
preliminary prospectus, except insofar as such misstatements are caused by or
contained in information furnished to the Company by such holders.

ITEM 16.          EXHIBITS

         A list of exhibits included as part of this Registration Statement is
set forth below.

5        Opinion of Dykema Gossett PLLC

23(a)    Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

23(b)    Consent of Dykema Gossett PLLC (contained in their opinion filed as
         Exhibit 5)

24(a)    Power of Attorney (set forth on signature page)

99(a)    Salesperson Retention Plan



                                      II-2
<PAGE>   10
ITEM 17.          UNDERTAKINGS

         1. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file, during any
period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to
this registration statement (i) to include any prospectus required by Section
10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933; (ii) to reflect in the prospectus any
facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement
(or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in
the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in
the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or
decrease in the volume of securities offered (if the total value of securities
offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the
low or high end of the maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of
prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the
aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change
in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement; and (iii) to
include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not
previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to
such information in the registration statement; provided, however, that
paragraphs (i) and (ii) above do not apply if the information required to be
included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in
periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant
pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are
incorporated by reference in the registration statement.

         2. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes: (a) to file, during
any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment
to this registration statement to include any material information with respect
to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration
statement or any material change to such information in the registration
statement, (b) that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be
a new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof, and (c) to remove from registration by means of a
post-effective amendment any of the securities which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.

         3. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that is incorporated by reference in this
Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

         4. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that insofar as
indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant
pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been
advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of
1933 and is, therefore, unenforceable. In


                                      II-3
<PAGE>   11
the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than
the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director,
officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any
action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling
person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will,
unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the
Securities Act of 1933 and will be governed by the final adjudication of such
issue.

         5. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that (a) for purposes
of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information
omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement
in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the
registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act
shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was
declared effective and (b) for the purpose of determining any liability under
the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form
of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the
securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time
shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.



























                                      II-4
<PAGE>   12
                                   SIGNATURES


         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Company
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Auburn Hills, State of Michigan on the 19th day of
January, 2001.



                                       CHAMPION ENTERPRISES, INC.



                                       By:   /s/  WALTER R. YOUNG
                                             -----------------------------------
                                             Walter R. Young
                                             Chairman of the Board of Directors,
                                             President and Chief Executive
                                             Officer


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

         Each of the undersigned whose signature appears below hereby
constitutes and appoints Walter R. Young and John J. Collins, Jr. and each of
them acting alone, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full
power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and
stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including
post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same,
with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, under the Securities Act of 1933.

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities indicated on January 19, 2001



                                          Title


/s/ WALTER R. YOUNG                       Chairman of the Board of Directors,
---------------------------------         President and Chief Executive Officer
Walter R. Young                           (Principal Executive Officer)





                                      II-5

<PAGE>   13
/s/ ANTHONY S. CLEBERG                    Executive Vice President and Chief
---------------------------------         Financial Officer (Principal Financial
Anthony S. Cleberg                        Officer)



/s/ RICHARD HEVELHORST                    Vice President and Controller
---------------------------------         (Principal Accounting Officer)
Richard Hevelhorst


/s/ ROBERT W. ANESTIS                     Director
---------------------------------
Robert W. Anestis


/s/ SELWYN ISAKOW                         Director
---------------------------------
Selwyn Isakow


/s/ ELLEN R. LEVINE                       Director
---------------------------------
Ellen R. Levine


/s/ BRIAN D. JELLISON                     Director
---------------------------------
Brian D. Jellison


/s/ GEORGE R. MRKONIC                     Director
---------------------------------
George R. Mrkonic


/s/ CARL L. VALDISERRI                    Director
---------------------------------
Carl L. Valdiserri


                                      II-6

<PAGE>   14
                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit No.                Description of Exhibits                              Page No.
-----------                -----------------------                              --------
<S>                        <C>                                                  <C>
5                          Opinion of Dykema Gossett PLLC

23(a)                      Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

23(b)                      Consent of Dykema Gossett PLLC
                           (included in Exhibit 5)

24(a)                      Power of Attorney (set forth on signature page)

99(a)                      Salesperson Retention Plan
</TABLE>




















                                      II-7
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-5
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>k59634ex5.txt
<DESCRIPTION>OPINION OF DYKEMA GOSSETT PLLC
<TEXT>

<PAGE>   1
                                                                       EXHIBIT 5

                           [Dykema Gossett Letterhead]

                                January 19, 2001


Champion Enterprises, Inc.
2701 Cambridge Ct., Suite 300
Auburn Hills, Michigan  48326


Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We have served as counsel to Champion Enterprises, Inc. (the "Company")
in connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement (Form S-3) to
be filed by the Company on January 19, 2001, with the Securities and Exchange
Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, representing the
issuance in the manner described in the Registration Statement of 1,000,000
shares of the Company's Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share (the "Common
Stock"), pursuant to the Salesperson Retention Plan.

         We have examined and relied upon the originals, or copies certified or
otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such corporate records, documents,
certificates and other instruments as in our judgment are necessary or
appropriate to enable us to render the opinion expressed below.

         Based upon such examination and our participation in the preparation of
the Registration Statement, it is our opinion that (1) the Company is duly
incorporated and validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the
laws of Michigan and (2) the Common Stock, when issued in the manner described
in the Registration Statement, will be validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.

         We consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5 to the
Registration Statement.

                                            Very truly yours,

                                            DYKEMA GOSSETT PLLC

                                            /s/ D. RICHARD MCDONALD

                                            D. Richard McDonald




</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-23.(A)
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>k59634ex23-a.txt
<DESCRIPTION>CONSENT OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
<TEXT>

<PAGE>   1

                                                                   EXHIBIT 23(a)

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


         We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this
Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated February 11, 2000
relating to the financial statements of Champion Enterprises, Inc., which
appears in Champion Enterprises Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended January 1, 2000.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP




Detroit, Michigan
January 17, 2001



</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-99.(A)
<SEQUENCE>4
<FILENAME>k59634ex99-a.txt
<DESCRIPTION>SALESPERSON RETENTION PLAN
<TEXT>

<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 99(a)

                           CHAMPION ENTERPRISES, INC.
                           SALESPERSON RETENTION PLAN


         1. Purpose. The purpose of the Champion Enterprises, Inc. Salesperson
Retention Stock Option Plan (the "Plan") is to promote the best interests of
Champion Enterprises, Inc. (the "Company") and its shareholders by providing
additional incentive to its salespeople to remain with their current employer.
This program supplements other sales incentive programs the Company and its
retailers may offer from time to time, and participation in this program will
not preclude participation in other programs offered by the Company or its
retailers.

         2. Eligibility. "Participants" in the Plan shall be employee and
non-employee salespeople at Company owned or Champion Home Center retailers,
provided they have been a salesperson for their current employer for at least
six months. "Champion Home Center Retailers" shall be those retailers of
Champion Enterprises or its affiliates that have currently existing Champion
Home Centers Agreements under which the retailer has paid all amounts owing and
under which no default exists. Participants shall be selected by the Chief
Executive Officer (the "CEO") of the Company (or such other person(s) as the CEO
shall delegate), and without the necessity of any action on the part of the
Participant.

         3. Term. The Plan shall be implemented on January 1, 2001. Each Plan
year shall run from January 1 through December 31 ("Plan Year"). The Plan shall
continue until terminated at the discretion of the Company.

         4. Administration. The Plan shall be administered by the Board of
Directors of the Company (the "Board") according to its terms. The Board shall
interpret the Plan, prescribe, amend, and rescind rules and regulations relating
to the Plan, and make all other determinations necessary or advisable for its
administration. The decision of the Board on any question concerning the
interpretation of the Plan or any option granted under the Plan shall be final
and binding upon all participants. No member of the Board shall be liable for
any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan or any
grant hereunder. The Board hereby delegates authority to the CEO of the Company,
subject to any such terms and limitations as the Board shall determine, to
administer the Plan on behalf of the Board. The CEO (or the CEO's designee)
shall keep records, send statements of account activity to Participants and
perform clerical and ministerial duties related to the Plan. All inquiries
concerning the Plan should be directed to:

                  Champion Enterprises, Inc.
                  2701 Cambridge Court, Suite 300
                  Auburn Hills, MI 48326

                  Re: Salesperson Retention Stock Option Plan
                  Attention: Secretary

         5. Stock. The stock subject to options under the Plan shall be the
Common Stock of the Company ("Common Stock") and shall be authorized and
unissued shares of the Company. The total amount of Common Stock for which
options may be granted under the Plan shall not exceed 1,000,000 shares, subject
to adjustment in accordance with Section 9. Shares subject to any forfeited or
cancelled option under the Plan shall be available for reissuance under the
Plan.

         6. Option Grants. The CEO of the Company at any time and from time to
time, in accordance with the terms of the Plan, may grant options to such
Participants and for such number of shares of Common Stock as he or she shall
designate. Prior to the end of the first quarter of each Plan Year, the Chief
Executive Officer of the Company shall grant all options to Participants for
that Plan Year. Following any given year, each Participant shall be informed of
the number of options that were granted to such Participant that year. The CEO
may grant each Participant up to 100 options in any Plan Year, or such greater
amount as approved by the Board. In order for the options to vest and for the
Participant to be issued a stock certificate, (a) the Participant must remain
with his/her current employer until the third



<PAGE>   2
anniversary of the first day of the Plan Year in which options were granted; and
(b) the Participant's employer must be a Champion Home Centers Retailer at the
time the options vest. Should the Participant leave his/her employ for any
reason at any time prior to the expiration of the three-year vesting period, the
right to receive the shares shall be forfeited automatically and no rights
whatsoever accompanying stock ownership shall ever be conferred upon the
Participant. Once the options vest, the Company will forward to the Participant
a stock certificate for the vested shares. Each option shall entitle the
Participant to one share of Common Stock upon vesting of the option.

         Prior to the end of the first quarter of each Plan Year, the Company
may forward to each Participant a statement from the Company outlining such
Participant's "account". The statement shall specify the number of options
issued to the Participant and the date upon which the options will vest to the
Participant. Unless and until the Common Stock vests, the Participant has only
received options to receive stock in the future subject to certain conditions.
However, should the Participant continue with his/her employment throughout the
three-year vesting period and the other conditions are met, the option shall be
deemed automatically exercised on December 31st of the Plan Year in which such
options vest. The shares of Common Stock will be automatically issued to the
Participant without the necessity of any action on the part of the Participant.
The consideration for the options and for the grant of shares shall be the
length of time that the Participant has remained with his/her current employer.
Any share certificates shall be automatically mailed to the Participant during
the quarter following the end of the Plan Year in which such options vest.

         7. Participant Information. All information with respect to the
Participant shall be kept by the Company including such Participant's name,
address and social security number. Because grants are automatic, the
Participant and the retailer that employs the Participant must keep his/her
information current with the Company. The employer and each Participant must
forward any changes in employment status, to the Company whenever such
information changes, or upon request. Shares will be issued in the name of the
Participant and according to the other information on file with the Company, and
the Company shall not be responsible for any damages relating to any inaccuracy
in that information.

         8. Termination and Amendment. The Plan may be amended by the Company at
any time and may be terminated by the Company in its sole discretion, but no
amendment or modification of the Plan shall in any manner adversely affect any
options already granted under the Plan without the consent of the Participant
holding such option. Amendments to the Plan announced from time to time by the
Company will become effective at such times as are determined by the Company.
Each Participant shall receive a new copy of the Plan when amended. Termination
of the Plan shall not affect the rights of holders of any unvested or vested
shares.

         9. Stock Dividend, Reclassification, Merger, Etc. The total amount of
Common Stock on which options may be granted under the Plan, and the number of
shares subject to any option granted to a Participant, shall be appropriately
adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of outstanding shares of
Common Stock resulting from payment of a stock dividend on Common Stock, a
subdivision or combination of shares of Common Stock, or a reclassification of
Common Stock.

         10. Securities Laws. Anything to the contrary herein notwithstanding,
the Company's obligation to deliver Common Stock after the vesting of an option
is subject to such compliance with federal and state laws, rules and regulations
applying to the authorization or issuance of securities as the Company deems
necessary or advisable. The Company shall not be required to deliver or issue
Common Stock unless and until it receives satisfactory assurance that the
issuance or transfer of such shares will not violate any of the provisions of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time or the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time, or the rules and regulations
of the Securities Exchange Commission promulgated thereunder or those of the
stock exchange on which the Common Stock may be listed, or the provisions of any
state laws governing the issuance or transfer of securities, or that there has
been compliance with the provisions of such acts, rules, regulations and state
laws.

         11. Rights Prior to Issuance of Shares. No Participant shall have any
rights as a shareholder with respect to any shares covered by an option until
the issuance of a stock certificate to the Participant for such shares. No
adjustment shall be made for dividends or other rights with respect to such
shares for which the record date is prior to


<PAGE>   3
the date such certificate is issued. Upon and after becoming an owner of record
of Common Stock, Participants shall have the voting rights accorded to owners of
Company Common Stock.

         12. Transfer; Assignment. The options shall not be sold, transferred,
assigned, alienated, pledged, or otherwise encumbered or disposed of in whole or
in part, either directly, by operation of law, or otherwise. If any attempt is
made by a Participant to sell, transfer, assign, alienate, pledge, or otherwise
encumber or dispose of his or her options (prior to vesting), then the Company
(in its absolute discretion) may terminate the Participant from the Plan and the
Participant shall have no further rights under the Plan, including the right, if
any, to receive Common Stock. There are no rights under the Plan to designate a
beneficiary or otherwise gift, devise, or bequeath the options under the Plan.
In the event of the death of Participant after the shares have vested but prior
to stock certificate issuance, any delivery of Common Stock otherwise due under
the terms of the Plan shall be made to the executor or administrator of the
estate of the Participant.

         13. Costs. The Company will issue options, and upon vesting, shares of
Common Stock. The Company will pay any fees associated with the issuance of the
shares of Common Stock to Participants and will pay the administrative costs of
the Plan. The cost to the Company of the shares of Common Stock offered under
the Plan will be absorbed by the Company. There will be no proceeds to the
Company from the issuance of the shares.

         14. Notices, Communication. All notices, delivery of Common Stock and
communications to a Participant under, or in connection with, the Plan shall be
deemed to have been duly given, made or delivered when mailed with postage
prepaid, or sent by overnight express delivery service to the Participant at the
address last appearing on the records of the Company for whom the Participant is
employed. All notices, instructions or other communications by a Participant to
the Company under, or in connection with, the Plan shall be duly given, made or
delivered only when in fact received by the Company at the address specified
above.

         15. Limitation on Liability. The Company shall not be liable for any
act done in good faith or for any omission to act, including, without
limitation, any claims of liability (a) with respect to the prices of the Common
Stock (provided, however, that nothing herein shall be deemed to constitute a
waiver of any rights that a Participant might have under the Securities Act of
1933 or other applicable federal securities laws), or (b) for any fluctuation in
the market value before or after issuance or sale of Common Stock.

         16. Tax Information. The following is a brief summary of some potential
tax consequences to Participants. However, this information in not a complete
explanation of the tax consequences of participation in the Plan. Participants
are strongly encouraged to consult their own tax advisor with respect to the
federal, state, local and other tax consequences of participation in the Plan.
                  (a) Withholding Taxes. The Company shall have the right to
require a Participant to remit sufficient funds to satisfy applicable
withholding for income and employment taxes upon the issuance option(s) and/or
the issuance of Common Stock. The Company may withhold shares of Common Stock
from an issuance sufficient in amount to satisfy in whole or in part the
applicable withholding taxes. All Participants, whether employees or
nonemployees of the Company, agree to tender the applicable amount to the
Company or the Internal Revenue Service to satisfy any requirements for
withholding of income and employment taxes in connection with the exercise of
the option granted hereby.

                  (b) Recognition of Income. A Participant will be treated as
having received taxable income equal to the fair market value of the number of
shares of Common Stock actually granted. No taxable income shall accrue until
the shares have vested. A Participant will be treated as having received such
income on the date the shares vest.

                  (c) Sale of Common Stock. If a Participant sells shares of
Common Stock received under the Plan, the Participant will recognize gain or
loss equal to the difference between the selling price and the Participant's tax
basis. Gain or loss on the sale of shares held for more than twelve months will
be long-term capital gain or loss. If the shares of Common Stock are held for
less than twelve months, the gain or loss will be treated as short-term capital
gain or loss.



<PAGE>   4
         Any payment of taxes imposed upon the receipt of shares of Common Stock
is the responsibility of the Participant and not of the Company.

         17. Governing Law. The terms and conditions of the Plan and its
operation are governed by the laws of the State of Michigan.





</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SUBMISSION>
