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What’s Happening in The World of Campervans?

Some interesting news over the last month includes a renowned leisure vehicle manufacturer unveiling their first pop-top campervan and record-breaking ticket sales for the largest motorhome event in the UK. Alas, there has also been more event cancellations as the pandemic continues to cause havoc with supply chains.

Here’s what’s been happening in the world of campervans during December.

Swift Unveil New Monza Campervan

Motorhome group Swift revealed their brand new Monza campervan, set for official launch in February 2022. The Monza is Swift’s first pop-top campervan and is built on the Ford Tourneo Custom model. Swift intends the new campervan to be the ‘ultimate everyday getaway’ for any journey or adventure including everyday commuting as well as exploring mountain and coastal roads.

Aimed at couples and young families, the compact Monza campervan will have a similar carbon footprint to a standard family vehicle, hence why it is being marketed as an everyday passenger vehicle as well as a camper for holiday adventures.

The Commercial Director of Swift Group, Nick Page, said of the new campervan: “We’re known for our wide and credible ranges of leisure vehicles across touring caravans, motorhomes and holiday homes and lodges, so to now add a campervan to our line-up is absolutely brilliant. We know there’s a hunger for access to regular adventures, and the Monza really does open up the travelling opportunities.”

The Swift Monza will start at £58,395 for the automatic 128bhp version, and £62,290 for the automatic 168bhp version.

High Demand For NEC Campervan Show

The upcoming Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show in February has seen extraordinarily high demand for tickets, say the organisers. NCC Events revealed that over 26,000 advance tickets had already been sold by early December, which is ten times the usual amount at that stage.

Birmingham’s NEC will host the event between 22 and 27 February, and there will be more than 350 exhibitor stands showcasing all the latest campervan and motorhome models, and associated camping gear.

The CEO of NCC Events, John Lally, spoke about the high ticket demand, saying: “The strong ticket sales are a clear indication of pent-up demand. We know that not only are there a lot of new buyers coming into the industry, but many of the core market of caravanners have held off upgrading their outfits.

“This will be the first major leisure vehicle exhibition in the UK for two years and we know that many will have missed the opportunity to step inside the latest models, compare the different layouts and specifications and talk face to face with others who share their love of the touring lifestyle.”

Scottish Campervan Show Cancelled

Demand for the NEC tickets may also be driven higher due to cancellations of other events, with the Scottish Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Home Show the latest to postpone their 2022 event until 2023.

The biggest caravan and motorhome show in Scotland was due to take place at the SEC in Glasgow between 3 and 6 February. The cancellation has been blamed on a combination of an increase in demand along with supply chain issues which has led to a significant inventory deficiency for dealers and manufacturers.

What’s Happening In The World Of Campervans?

November was a quiet month for new campervan designs, though there was one notable exception. There were some interesting developments regarding energy-efficient campervan technology, plus good news for Scottish campers as a huge upcoming event was confirmed.

Here is what’s been happening in the world of campervans over the last month.

Solar-Powered Motorhome Journey a Success

It was revealed at the beginning of November that the world’s first ever solar-powered campervan had undertaken a successful journey through Europe. The pioneering motorhome travelled from Eindhoven in the Netherlands to Tarifa at the southernmost tip of Spain.

Described as a ‘self-sustaining house on wheels’, the Stella Vita is was developed by students at the Eindhoven University of Technology.  The extendable solar panels on the roof can generate enough energy for both living and driving purposes.

The developers of the solar-powered campervan estimate that with efficient use and plenty of sunshine, the Stella Vita can travel around 453 miles. The solar panels also power electricity for living comforts such as a television and coffee machine.

The Stella Vita also features a unique aerodynamic shape to minimise air resistance and maximise its energy efficiency.

Scottish Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Home Show Announced

It has been announced that the largest caravan and motorhome show in Scotland will return to the SEC in Glasgow from 3-6 February 2022. Around 200 camper and motorhome brands will showcase their latest products.

The Group Show Director, Darren Brechin, talked about seeing a spike in demand for touring holidays due to Covid, with one of the popular home-holidaying options being to explore the great Scottish outdoors. He said: “The Scottish Caravan, Motorhome and Holiday Home show is all about showing our visitors the different ways you can make the most out of your holiday, whether that’s touring the North Coast 500 with friends, relaxing with family at a holiday park or exploring Europe’s top beaches in a motorhome.

“We’re delighted to welcome back the UK’s biggest touring brands to the SEC to showcase a new portfolio of products for 2022, and welcome visitors back to our Holiday Park Village, where holiday park operators from around the UK will be highlighting their unique offering. There’s no showcase quite like this in the UK, and we’re proud to be able to offer this great event in the heart of Glasgow.”

Tickets are on sale now at the Scottish Caravan Show website.

Launch of New Campervan Based on Ford Transit

English campervan manufacturer Auto-Sleepers have launched their new campervan based on the Ford Transit Custom model. The manufacturers say the Auto-Sleeper Air is designed for day-to-day use as well as for touring. The 3200kg chassis it is based on also means drivers do not need a special licence for it.

Features of the Auto-Sleeper Air campervan include diesel-powered Webasto heating along with fresh and waste water tanks. There is an integrated fridge with the cooking equipment consisting of a two-burner hob with a separate grill,  along with an external BBQ.

What’s Happening In The World Of Campervans?

There weren’t many new campervan or motorhome models to get excited about during October, but there was plenty of good news for campers and campervan fans. There were also more production delays caused by the current global situation, but ultimately it’s been a good month. 

Here’s what has been happening in the world of campervans over the last month.

New Dates for the Caravan, Camping & Motorhome Show Confirmed

The new dates for the recently cancelled Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show at the NEC in Birmingham has been confirmed. The UK’s biggest indoor caravan and motorhome event will now take place between 22 and 27 February in 2022. The good news comes after the previously scheduled date in October was cancelled due to confusion over the Covid-19 rules for large indoor events.

The chairman of the National Caravan Council Events, Anthony Trevelyan, said: “We can’t wait to welcome those who love the freedom and adventure of camping, caravanning, motorhome and holiday caravan holidays back to the NEC in February and extend a particularly warm welcome to those new to the lifestyle joining us for the first time.

“Nothing beats live events and we’re excited to offer visitors the opportunity to get inside and compare the different layouts, fittings and innovations from the best in the industry so that they can make an informed buying decision.”

The NEC will make five halls available for the event which will feature over 350 exhibitor stands. They will showcase the latest campervan and motorhome models, as well as assorted camping equipment such as tents and trailer tents as well as folding campers. You will also get to see what holiday homes and lodges are available around the country.

Campsite Opening Times Extended

More good news was announced in October as the Camping and Caravanning Club announced it is extending the opening times of several of its campsites. This includes the Derwentwater and Salisbury sites which will now be open all year around, creating a total of 21 of the CCC’s campsites that are open throughout the entire year.

Barnard Castle, Cannock Chase, Horsley and Kendal are the other sites included in the extension announcement, and will now close at the end of November instead of the usual October. 

Knaus Leisure Vehicle Production Delays

Shortly after announcing their first ever electric motorhome, the Knaus E.Power Drive, one of the largest caravan and campervan manufacturers in Europe has revealed difficulty in acquiring parts is causing big production delays.

Knaus Tabbert still recorded impressive growth during the second quarter of 2021, but they believe they would have sold many more leisure vehicles had their parts supplies not been affected by the Covid restrictions affecting so many industries around the world. A spokesperson for Knaus said customer demand for new campervans has not diminished, but the amount of available models in stock to buy is now at ‘record low levels’.

The new Knaus E.Power Drive has been popular among campervan enthusiasts because it uses a bank of batteries that can be recharged via a small rotary engine when the usual plug-in recharging facilities are not available.

What’s Happening in The World of Campervans?

September had good news and bad news for campervan fans wanting to attend a caravan and motorhome show for the first time since Covid hit. There was also a welcome announcement regarding the production dates for an interesting little micro-camper whose design concept has already caused a bit of a stir.

Here’s what’s been happening in the world of campervans over the last month.

Xbus Electric Microvan Production Announced

The production dates for an exciting new electric microvan was announced at the beginning of September, with the lightweight Xbus now due to start production in 2022.

The Xbus microvan will eventually be available with two chassis options to complement its modular design. The standard City chassis will be joined as an option by the Off-road chassis, which will have greater ground clearance for traversing rougher ground. There will be two camping options differentiated by their berths. Plus other modules include a tipper, a cargo box and single or double-cab pick-up modules. Both camping modules come with a pop-top roof and there is the option of a fridge, TV, hob, fresh water tank, sink and a bed being included.

The Xbus manufacturers say that the electric microvan will get between 62 miles to 124 miles off of one charge, with some roof-integrated solar cells able to double the range.

NEC Motorhome and Caravan Show Cancelled

The upcoming Motorhome and Caravan Show due to take place in October at the NEC in Birmingham has been cancelled. It should be the UK’s largest such event but will no longer take place for the second year in a row.

The organisers, NCC Events, said that the rules for large, organised indoor events were still too unclear. They are now working towards their next big event, the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show due to take place at the same venue in February next year.

A spokesperson for NCC Events said: “We have taken the decision not to go ahead as planned with the Motorhome and Caravan Show this October and instead to focus on our next show. With only 14 weeks to go until the show, which is one of the largest public events in the country, rules on large, organised indoor events continue to be unclear.

“We have taken feedback from our exhibitors and, while the industry is seeing a huge demand for touring caravans, campervans and motorhomes from the UK staycation boom, there are many challenges in the supply chain, which make the timing of this year’s show, and the additional demand it would generate, untenable for some.”

The Love Touring Expo is Back!

There was some good news in September for fans of campervan exhibitions as it was announced that the Love Touring Expo will be going ahead in November. The event in Aberdeen, Scotland, will be the first major indoor event of its kind in Scotland since the pandemic first began. It will possibly be the first in the UK as well after the cancellation of the October show in Birmingham.

The Love Touring Expo will feature all sorts of caravans and campervans with plenty of new motorhome models on display as they get ready for launch in 2022. There will also be industry experts on hand to offer advice to visitors, as well as shops, demonstrations and fun activities for families.

 What’s Happening in The World of Campervans? 

August was an interesting month with a premium campervan manufacturer launching a fun new online configurator and another launching new rising roof versions of their popular models. Luxury motorhome owners have also been warned about rising campervan thefts.

Read on to see what’s been happening in the world of campervans over the last month.

New Online Configurator Launched by Niesmann+Bischoff

Premium motorhome manufacturer Niesmann+Bischoff launched a new online configurator at the beginning of August. It means potential buyers can design their dream vehicle on their PCs or smartphones.

The motorhome configurator lets customers choose their favourite aesthetics and interior features and add them to their preferred base model. Once the custom design is complete, the configurator will calculate a cost summary of the selected configuration, which the designer can then download as a PDF file.

The online configurator also allows users to “move around” inside each of the motorhome models with a 360-degree view.

Luxury Motorhomes Targeted by Thieves

A warning to luxury motorhome and campervan owners has been sounded by GPS and vehicle tracker retailer, Trackershop. They say their latest figures show that such higher end vehicles are being targeted by criminals due to the surge in luxury motorhome sales and their new owners’ relative inexperience.

Trackershop say that inexperienced owners aren’t taking the necessary precautions to protect their motorhomes from theft. Of course, Trackershop has a vested interest in publicising such news as they sell the devices which help recover stolen vehicles, but it is certainly true that luxury motorhome theft has been on the rise. 

Trackershop say vehicles fitted with a tracking device have a 95% recovery rate compared to vehicles not fitted with one. Their managing director Shaun Carse added: “Recent research discovered that just 13% of motorhomes and 6% of campervans have trackers installed, whilst 54% and 45% of these vehicles respectively don’t have alarms.”

Sunlight Pop-Tops and Mobile Offices

German motorhome manufacturer Sunlight used August to launch a new range of rising roof campervans. They will be part of the Cliff range of campers, providing the option to choose a pop-top version of a Cliff campervan for the first time.

The Fiat Ducato-based Cliff range that now comes with optional pop-tops include the 549, 600, 601 and 640 models. The rising roof option will add an extra two berths to the living space, measuring 206cm by 143cm. Every model with the rising roof will also come equipped with premium slatted bed frames and cold foam mattresses as standard.

The 120bhp engine remains the standard for the new models, but there will be a choice of exterior colours. The interior features will incorporate Sunlight’s new ‘Adventure Living’ design elements, including a reworked dashboard with an integrated passenger glove box and extra storage space and cup holders.

The new pop-top Cliff models arrived shortly after Sunlight also revealed their ‘office on wheels’ design concept. The plan is to turn a motorhome into a mobile home office using a multifunctional, foldable table that comes with an extra monitor and electrical charging options. The concept was devised after the Future of Work Reports 2021 survey revealed that two-thirds of those surveyed who work from home as well as in an office would like a hybrid work model.

July brought both good and bad news for campervan fans as an exciting new electric campervan with an especially impressive turning circle was announced, along with Volkswagen revealing that they have been doing quite well for themselves. The good news was tempered by the cancellation of a popular motorhome event that many campers and manufacturers were looking forward to, thanks to confusion over Covid-19 restrictions.

Read on to see what’s been happening in the world of campervans over the last month.

New LEVC e-Camper Announced

The electric taxi specialists, the London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC), have announced the preliminary details of the new e-Camper they are developing. It will use LEVC’s range extender technology to achieve an electric-only range of 60 miles, with a total range of over 300 miles.

The e-Camper will have an exceptionally good turning circle thanks to LEVC’s experience building electric taxis. It will also have a side-layout kitchen that is completely electric powered, as well as four berths shared between the pop-top roof and sliding rear bench. The cab seats will also be able to swivel around.

The Chief Executive Officer of LEVC, Joerg Hofmann, talked about the need for ‘greener mobility solutions’, saying: “The campervan market is growing rapidly and, despite these vehicles being used for coastal and countryside adventures which often include national parks and protected areas, they are still powered by petrol or diesel engines. 

“This is a major conflict. We can see a shift in consumer attitudes, with demand for greener mobility solutions to help to protect and improve air quality. Our new electric, zero emissions-capable e-Camper offers the perfect solution and is well-equipped with high quality features that can be tailored to meet a range of customer requirements.”

The list price is shaping-up to be pretty steep at £62,250, with the first deliveries of the e-Camper currently on course to be ready by the fourth quarter of this year.

Volkswagen Reveal Massive Sales Increase

German manufacturer Volkswagen recently revealed they had enjoyed a 621% year-on-year increase in the amount of their California campervans being financed. The increase is likely due to the rise in holidaymakers choosing to stay within the UK for their vacations, say Volkswagen.

Research conducted by Volkswagen showed that half of those surveyed said they would be taking a driving ‘staycation’ at home this year rather than use public transport.

NEC Motorhome and Caravan Show Cancelled Again

For the second year in a row, the Motorhome and Caravan Show at the NEC has been cancelled. It is the UK’s biggest such event and was due to take place in October, but has again been shelved due to confusion over Covid-19 restrictions.

The organiser of the show, NCC Events, released a statement saying: “We have taken the decision not to go ahead as planned with the Motorhome and Caravan Show this October and instead to focus on our next show. With only 14 weeks to go until the show, which is one of the largest public events in the country, rules on large, organised indoor events continue to be unclear.”

The next show NCC Events are focusing on is the Caravan, Camping and Motorhome Show currently due to take place at the NEC in February next year.

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