Caravan Salon said it expects 736 exhibitors on hand for its annual gathering in Düsseldorf from Aug. 27-Sept. 4. The number of RVs and associated products will occupy 16 halls plus a large outdoor area at the local convention center.
“Caravan Salon is the leading trade fair for the sector,” said project director Stefan Koschke. “In Düsseldorf we cover the market almost in its entirety. … Visitors will not find such a wide selection of brands, models and layouts at any other leisure fair. This year we will again see numerous premieres – the spectrum of vehicles on display ranges from folding caravans and family vehicles to luxury mobiles.”
The constant rise in demand for caravans and motorhomes has prompted many manufacturers to expand their product portfolios. For these additional products there are also more and more layouts and configuration options.
Organizers point to a few trends they are seeing in this year’s show.
Wider selection of base vehicles
Since the demand for RVs has been growing for years now, there are also more and more brands entering the market for base vehicles. This is why Fiat Ducato – leading the market so far – and the Citroën and Peugeot models of the same construction – have long been joined by Ford, Iveco, MAN, Mercedes, Renault and Volkswagen. “The wider range of chassis offers not only more options for customers but also provides manufacturers with added design freedom,” said Daniel Onggowinarso.
Trend towards compact motorhomes continues
Be it fully or partially integrated motorhomes, alcove models or campervans – demand for all types of motorhomes is at a record high. Campervans, however, play a special role accounting for the fastest growing segment. One in two new motorhomes are now campervans. Statistics disclose a special effect caused by disrupted supply chains: on account of the scarcity of vehicle chassis for classic motorhome types, the ultra-compact models among the campervans – as a rule without a wet room due to their size – currently still feature more prominently among new registrations: there are slightly more base vehicles available for them by comparison.
Innovative lightweight construction solutions for weight savings
The many popular vehicle features available also come with greater weight. To keep both caravans and mobile homes agile at a decent weight despite their many extra features, manufacturers constantly break new ground in engineering RVs, based on strict European weight standards.
Interior design: even more comfortable, variable and sustainable
Demanding customers also expect more comfort and extras when it comes to vehicle interiors – which should be modern, bright and high-quality. Here, manufacturers bridge the gap between high-end components and sustainability aspects. More and more recycled and recyclable materials are used for upholstery, for example. Furthermore, more variable layouts and adaptable interior concepts are an advancing trend. Height-adjustable beds, fold-down components in the bathroom or convertible seating make for an even more effective use of the space available and provide extra room. Controlling on-board equipment by smartphone has long been an industry standard. Filling gauges can be checked remotely while heating and air-conditioning can be controlled before returning to the vehicle.
