{
  "id": 1940554,
  "title": "Caravaning: Es werden weniger Reisemobile und Wohnwagen verkauft",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/19/caravaning-es-werden-weniger-reisemobile-und-wohnwagen-verkauft",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-19T12:46:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Handelsblatt",
    "slug": "handelsblatt",
    "url": "https://www.handelsblatt.com/politik/deutschland/caravaning-es-werden-weniger-reisemobile-und-wohnwagen-verkauft/100248355.html"
  },
  "original_language": "de",
  "account": "Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Germany's caravan industry has been on a downward trend. According to the Caravaning Industry Association (CIVD), the number of newly registered motorhomes and caravans (caravans) in Germany dropped by 3% in the first seven months of 2026 to 63,329. This marks a decline from a 2.3% decrease in the entire previous year. However, during the pandemic years, sales surged sharply as many people opted for caravaning due to concerns about infection or limitations on flying. Currently, the weak economic climate is negatively impacting the industry, with some citizens being hesitant to spend large sums on a caravan or motorhome. Some manufacturers still hold onto surplus stock from the pre-pandemic boom that they are struggling to offload. The majority of the market is made up of motorhomes, also called motorcaravans: In the first seven months of 2026, 50,118 motorhomes were newly registered, which is 3.3% fewer than the same period last year. The caravan sector lagged with a 1.9% decrease of 13,211. The industry association sees a positive future ahead. CIVD's managing director, Daniel Onggowinarso, remains calm about the current situation, stating that while the market appears robust, it is expected to decline post-COVID. He believes that without the pandemic, they might have continued growing year after year and reached this level. He described the brief pause as a necessary breather, anticipating recovery once the economy improves and the energy crisis subsides. The term encompassing motorhomes and caravans (caravans) is 'free-time vehicles,' with their numbers doubling between 2015 and 2025. According to CIVD data, this segment grew while the caravan numbers remained stagnant. Currently, around 1.8 million free-time vehicles are registered in Germany. Onggowinarso emphasized that interest in caravaning remains strong, noting that they have an emotionally invested clientele that sticks with their caravan choice due to the durability and reliability of their products. They don't need to replace them, as there's no need to upgrade. Around a quarter of a million people are expected to attend the Caravan Salon starting August 28 at Düsseldorf's Messehallen. With more than 830 exhibitors, the event surpassed last year's record of 810 exhibitors, according to Stefan Koschke of Messe Düsseldorf. Caravaning is no longer a niche, having reached the mainstream. In the previous year, 269,000 people visited the show, just missing the record set in 2019. Koschke aims for at least 250,000 visitors this year, not for the sheer number, but for the genuine buying interest displayed by attendees. His focus is on turning visitors into consumers, as the event seeks to attract buyer clientele through its marketing and efforts.",
  "summary": "Caravaning ist im Trend, davon sind Hersteller und Händler von Reisemobilen und Wohnwagen überzeugt. Tatsächlich sind viel mehr solcher Fahrzeuge unterwegs als früher. Doch zuletzt gab es Dämpfer.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}