Third-best annual result despite difficult conditions: Caravanning industry reports around 91,000 new registrations

In 2022, a total of around 91,000 motor caravans and caravans were newly registered in Germany. This is the third-highest result in the history of the industry. Compared to the previous year, 66,507 units, or around 18.3 percent fewer motor caravans, were newly registered. The caravan segment remained at the previous year’s level with 24,478 new registrations (-1 percent). The main reason for the lower new registration figures is supply shortages. As in previous years, demand for leisure vehicles will remain high in 2023.

Motor caravans and caravans have not just been in vogue since Corona, but have been growing in popularity across Europe for many years. In 2020 and 2021, over 100,000 new leisure vehicles were registered in Germany each year – these were historic record figures for the industry. In 2022, however, new registrations were below the 100,000 mark: a total of 90,985 leisure vehicles were newly registered in Germany. Compared to the previous year, this represents a drop of 14.3 percent, but overall it is the third-highest new registration figure of all time.
New registration figures could have been significantly higher, but due to faltering supply chains and staff shortages, manufacturers were only able to complete fewer vehicles than planned. The supply chain problems had already started in 2021 and worsened again in the last twelve months. A frustrating situation for the companies, as they were only able to process their very high order backlog with time delays and under increased material and energy costs.

Motor caravan sector suffers from lack of chassis

The aforementioned supply bottlenecks had a significant impact on the motor caravan sector, whose manufacturers are reporting well-filled order books. In particular, the industry-wide shortage of vehicle chassis caused motor caravan production to slump, so fewer vehicles were delivered. Demand far exceeded supply on the market. With 66,507 new registrations, the division is 18.3 percent below the previous year’s record figure. Nevertheless, this result still clearly tops the figures of the pre-Corona years.

New caravan registrations at previous year’s level

At 24,478 units and a slight decrease of 1 percent, new caravan registrations were on a par with the previous year. Many of the caravans produced in Germany were delivered to foreign dealers, who replenished their low vehicle inventories. Accordingly, demand in the German market was not fully satisfied.

Industry looks to 2023 with optimism

Although for the first time in many years the caravanning industry cannot report a new record in new registrations, Hermann Pfaff, President of the Caravaning Industrie Verband (CIVD), is satisfied with the annual results: “The general conditions for the caravanning industry were again extremely difficult last year. Our industry has never experienced such a complex and challenging situation in this form before. The approximately 91,000 new registrations are therefore a more than solid result.”
Looking to the future, the CIVD President is optimistic: “Due to the many volatile factors, we cannot make any specific forecasts at present. However, the fact is that motor caravans and caravans are still very much in vogue. In principle, we believe that the supply situation will also improve in the course of this year. Companies will then be able to better process their numerous orders again and waiting times for ordered vehicles will become shorter.”