Strong first quarter: caravanning industry defies difficult environment

Despite the Corona pandemic, the motor caravan and caravan business in Germany flourished in the first quarter of 2021. New registrations of leisure vehicles rose by 12.6 percent since the beginning of the year. The fact that with 24,224 newly registered units a new record for the first three months of a year was achieved is remarkable in view of the difficult business environment. On the one hand, many vehicle purchases had been brought forward into the old year due to the increase in VAT on 1 January. This had a negative effect on new registrations, especially in January and February. On the other hand, the closure of the motor vehicle dealerships due to the coronavirus made things even more difficult. The delivery of pre-ordered vehicles was possible, but sales pitches were prohibited. These two effects had a particularly strong impact on new caravan registrations. Between January and March, they fell by a total of 15.6 percent (5,166 units) compared to the very good result for the same period last year. New motor caravan registrations, on the other hand, rose by an impressive 23.9 percent to 19,058 vehicles – a record for the first quarter.

Plus 40 percent – March saves first quarter

A decisive contribution to the strong first quarter was made by a huge increase last month – plus 40.5 percent compared to March 2020. Both vehicle segments developed extremely positively. New registrations of motor caravans shot up by 52.4 percent to 10,801 units and caravan registrations also increased by a very good 10.5 percent (3,120 units). In total, this makes 13,921 newly registered leisure vehicles and means a new all-time best for the month of March.

Hope for timely opening of dealerships, campsites and motor caravan pitches

“The business environment has not been particularly favourable so far this year, so we are all the more pleased that new registrations have turned so strongly upwards again in March,” as Daniel Onggowinarso, Managing Director of the caravanning industry association CIVD, sums up the situation with satisfaction. “Demand was already at record levels in previous years, but has been given an additional push by the Corona pandemic. That’s due to the fact that, with a caravan or motor caravan, one can travel individually, self-sufficiently and, thus, with little contact to other people. This makes caravanning one of the safest forms of holiday in these times. We, therefore, urgently hope for a clear opening strategy and perspective for caravanning tourism in Germany,” says Onggowinarso.