By submitting this form, you are agreeing to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Around the 1800s, recreational vehicles were first seen in Europe in the form of covered wagons which were used for accommodation in France. After this, in the United Kingdom, they started being used by circus men and performers.
Over the years, there has been great advancement in the uses, designs and technology in this market. As the trend for leisure and entertainment activities among Generation Y and Z is increasing, more recreational vehicles are visible in the various campsites in the European region.
There are many enablers of growth for the recreational vehicle market in Europe. Some of them are listed below.
The main reasons why RVs do not appeal to consumers are :
There are various types of recreational vehicles in the European market. Broadly they can be classified as motorised and towable but within each category there are a plethora of variations available. Below is a list of the variations:
Out of the above types, the motorhome segment is expected to record the highest CAGR in the period 2021-2026, due to appealing features being offered such as comfortable interior space and the feel of a house with a kitchen and bathroom attached.
Further, the manufacturers are providing financial assistance in terms of offering lower interest rates. Camping capabilities as well as cooler piloting is also being worked upon to improve product penetration.
Various end uses of RVs can be recognized and broadly classified as private and commercial uses. The main applications are listed below :
The main countries in Europe where recreational vehicles are seen are :
Germany has the major market share currently and is expected to retain its position in the period 2021-2026 as well. The main reasons for this are that Germany has a substantial base for manufacturing.
The consumers are also readily adopting the use of recreational vehicles in that region making it an attractive market.
Just like for other automobiles, diesel is the most efficient fuel choice even for recreational vehicles. Most Class A motorhomes run on diesel, however gasoline powered recreational vehicles are also available. Due to Government norms, the demand for electric recreational vehicles may also rise.
The recreational vehicle market in Europe is expected to grow significantly. Towable RVs are expected to grow in popularity across the board.
The lower cost of these vehicles when compared to motorised leisure vehicles is a driving factor for increased demand.
Winnebago, Hymer AG, and Pleasure-Way Industries are among the industry participants concentrating on new model releases with many amenities to improve the consumer experience.
Because transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the EU, reducing transportation emissions is crucial to meeting emission reduction and climate change mitigation goals.
The advent of high-tech electric recreational vehicles in Europe is expected to expand the market for RVs.
The availability of a large number of charging stations, as well as enhanced infrastructure, will gradually increase the use of electric recreational vehicles.
Looking at the supply side, we can say that the market is fragmented with several local and global players. There is fierce competition that the local players are facing to sustain themselves due to the presence of global players from the United States especially. Below is a list of a few prominent players :
There are many new players entering this market as well with changes in powertrain, design, electric mobility, etc. One such company is Nissan which entered the market in 2018.
Companies are continuously innovating so that their market share is retained. With various options at the disposal of customers, product differentiation has become a necessity for growth in the recreational vehicle market. New technological advancements are being seen such as