News

The caravan and motorhome industry in Europe enjoyed the most successful year in its history in 2021 according to the latest data released by the European Caravan Federation (ECF). There were 259,393 new caravans and motorhomes sold over the course of the year in Europe – the best annual results in the industry’s history – that represented an impressive growth of 9.9 per cent.

As is often the case in Europe, the German market led the way with motorhome and caravan sales of 106,138, but substantial growth was also seen in the markets of Sweden, Belgium and Finland with sales recorded at 10,815, 8,376 and 3,636 respectively. In Austria, the growth leap was an eye-watering 47.5 per cent with 5,851 vehicles sold. Sales increases were also reported in the Netherlands (24.4 per cent), France (19.4 per cent), Sweden (17.2 per cent), the United Kingdom (16.2 per cent) and Denmark (10.3 per cent).

Jost Krüger, general secretary of the ECF, said: “The 18,047 new caravans sold in Europe’s second largest market, the UK, clearly indicates that the demand for caravans in the UK has bounced back and that the dampers on consumer demand occasioned by Covid and Brexit have now abated.

“We’re extremely pleased with the record-breaking sales growth achieved in 2021 – nearly 260,000 new caravans and motor caravans sold. And this despite the daunting market conditions currently faced by the industry as the result of the Covid pandemic and the attendant raw materials shortages and supply-chain challenges. And so, we feel that the outlook is excellent for 2022 given that the popularity of holidays in caravans and motor caravans is at an all-time high in Europe.”

What’s driving the growth?

The short answer is motorhomes. Overall, sales of new motorhomes rose by 13.2 per cent in Europe to an all-time high of 181,299 vehicles. This represents the fifth consecutive year that the record has been broken for this category, proving that consumer appetite for them continues to grow. The most robust growth rate for the sale of new motorhomes in the European market was registered in Austria, with 58 per cent sales growth and sales of 4,691. Slovenia was the runner up in this regard, with 35.7 per cent sales growth and 422 motorhomes sold; Finland in third place with 32.8 per cent sales growth and 2,634 motorhomes sold. In the largest market in Europe, Germany, sales of motorhomes increased 4.3 per cent, while in second largest market France they increased 23.5 per cent.

Despite the huge success of the motorhome, caravans are still enjoying relative success too. A total of 78,094 new caravans were sold in the European market in 2021. In this sector as well, Germany was the sales leader, with 24,718 new caravans sold – which, however, represents a decline of 15.2 per cent relative to the prior year. Sales growth was achieved in all other European markets, however, in a number of cases in the double-digit range. In The Netherlands, sales were up 22.6 per cent with 8,521 caravans sold; in Austria sales rose by 16.2 per cent with 1,160 caravans sold; and Spain registered a sales increase of 14.1 per cent with 1,926 caravans sold.

* Some figures estimated by ECF, correct as of 14 January 2022.