The annual figures of the European Caravan Federation (ECF) show that sales of new caravans and campers in Europe will have grown by more than 2024 percent in 5 compared to the previous year. The growth is entirely due to camper vans, while only in the Netherlands the number of new caravans increased.
In total, 221.207 new caravans and campers left the showrooms in Europe last year. In contrast to the ratios in the Netherlands, almost three quarters of European sales consisted of camper vans. In 2024, Europeans bought 160.342 new campers - compared to 146.490 a year earlier - and 60.685 new caravans. Compared to the 63.853 units in 2023, this meant a decrease of 4,7 percent in terms of caravans. Together with Denmark, the Netherlands is the only country where the demand for new caravans is actually greater than for campers. And the Dutch were the only people in Europe who bought more last year than in 2023. With 7.192 units, that was an increase of more than 6 percent, which made 'us' positively stand out in Europe, although Italian caravan sales also increased in 2024, but that was a marginal increase from 651 to 671.
France almost overtaken
The Dutch sales increase of new campers last year was 10,5 percent (to 2.465 units) in line with the increase of 9,5 percent that was recorded in the whole of Europe. Sales in the Netherlands therefore amount to barely one and a half percent of all new campers in Europe, while the Dutch account for 12 percent of the total European market in terms of the purchase of caravans. Germany and the United Kingdom were the largest caravan countries in 2024 with 21.674 and 11.444 registrations respectively. The Netherlands is on the verge of overtaking major power France in the battle for third place, as the French bought only 195 more new caravans last year (a total of 7.387 units).
2025 out of the starting blocks
Chairman Roel Reineman of the Dutch trade association Kampeer & Caravan Industrie (KCI) is also optimistic about 2025: “We got off to a flying start in January with the registration of 422 new caravans and 216 campers, or increases of 21 and 29 percent compared to the first month of last year. It is clear that camping is more popular than ever and that we in the Netherlands are an increasingly important driver for the European market. Camping fairs are well attended, campsites are reporting a record number of reservations and showrooms and workshops are busy. All signals are green for a fantastic camping season.”
What else is noticeable
Caravan sales fell in 2024, particularly in the Scandinavian countries and the UK. Last year, Norwegians bought almost a quarter less than in 2023, the Swedes more than 16 percent, the Danes almost 14 percent and the Finns 7 percent less, while the British recorded a decrease of more than 13 percent. The difference in purchasing behavior between the Belgians and the Dutch is striking: our southern neighbors bought only 1.000 new caravans last year, but this was offset by more than 5.500 new campers, or 125 percent more than in the Netherlands. The Italians, Spaniards and British were the most eager to buy campers in 2024 compared to 2023. Italy increased by more than 19 percent, Spain by more than 22,5 percent and the UK by no less than 35 percent. In absolute numbers, the most new motorhomes were registered in Germany (74.718), followed at a considerable distance by France (26.396) and the United Kingdom (16.447).
More information: www.camp-to-go.nl/blog/nederlanders-kopen-12-van-alle-caravans-in-europa