ROME – The camper & caravan phenomenon knows no crisis. In 2021, according to data from the Caravan and Motorhome Manufacturers Association (Apc), registrations of the sector recorded double-digit growth: an increase of 11.92% with 7,342 units sold compared to 6,560 in 2020. A growth that it is added to that already recorded in 2020 when, compared to 2019, the increase reached 7.68%. In short, that of last year represents a confirmation, if anything were needed, that the recreational vehicle goes far beyond simple fashion and constitutes a real social and cultural trend in Italy and in Europe. “The very positive trend of motorhomes is it? strongly confirmed in 2021, a sign that the camper is becoming more and more a modern and glamorous tool to enjoy free time – explains Simone Niccolai president of Apc – The manufacturers of campers have strengthened the production capacity of the factories, present above all in Tuscany, but also in Abruzzo and Umbria, also carrying out an important number of new hires, as did the supply chain, thus generating employment in the territories “. The increase in the popularity of motorhomes at European level has seen registrations grow by 13.2% in 2021 and, for the first time in the history of recreational vehicles on the Old Continent, the 180,000 new motorhomes registered in one year have been exceeded, while the circulating park, between campers and caravans, and? about six million vehicles.
On the production side, in 2021 Italy is confirmed as the third European producer of motorhomes, behind Germany and France, with an increase of 33.88% compared to 2020, of which over 80% of production is exported. even if there are obstacles. “The difficulties in the supply of some materials by the supply chain has considerably slowed down the production capacity of our companies, forcing us, in many cases, to postpone the delivery of campers due to lack of materials, primarily the basic chassis – he adds. Niccolai – The other criticality is? the rise in the prices of raw materials and energy that we are trying to absorb as much as possible. However, we are confident that, in the course of 2022, the situation can normalize. Despite the logistical difficulties that our industry is experiencing, we are convinced that motorhomes represent a trend in constant progression because it has to do with the demands and needs of the new society: free time, family, desire for freedom, closeness to nature, culture . And today all this is? possible in a camper, with a high level of comfort “. Finally, the growth in sales of caravans (caravans) which closed 2021 with + 1.97% in Italy and + 2.8% on the European market, compared to 2020, should also be noted.