Italian camper production is high and growing steadily, even if the domestic market itself is not as strong as it was in the past. The recent Salone del Camper in Parma fair demonstrated the prosperity of the sector.
Words Andrea Cattaneo
There was an increase of 12 percent in visitors to the 2019 Salone del Camper in Parma (Italy) in September (14th to 22nd).
The Italian market is still trying to grow, but the high sales figures from before the recent economic crisis still seem some way off. However, from its lowest point of sales of only around 3,000 units, it has risen to over 6,000 registrations, which is promising. Italy is suffering from political uncertainty that creates economic concerns and ups and downs in the economy. Furthermore, compared to France, Germany and the UK, the market in Italy is almost exclusively campers/motorhomes with only a small number of caravan sales.
Judging by the increase in visitors to the Salone del Camper in Parma, there is still the desire to buy a camper. In 2018, motorhome registrations in Italy grew by 20 percent and motorhome production remains high, with 85 percent of them destined for export.
Antonio Cellie, CEO of Fiere di Parma said: ìRecreational tourism is confirmed as the new frontier of world tourism, especially because it currently represents the greenest and lowest environmental impact.î
Out of all the models on show in Parma, campervans are certainly a growing phenomenon in Italy and there are few brands that do not have them in their range. There are also many semi-integrated motorhomes, almost all with a drop-down bed, and many motorhomes in the growing € 60-70,000 price segment, with Italian models such as Laika Kosmo series 9, Elnagh Magnum, Etrusco I and McLouis Nevis. On the other hand, there were few models shown with overcab bed that used to be so popular in Italy about 10 or 12 years ago. There are a few manufacturers still offering them, such as Elnagh, Rimor and McLouis, plus XGO, Laika and Etrusco, as well as CI and Roller Team.
There were very few caravans at the Parma fair: no Italian companies produce them, so the only models on show were from the Knaus-Tabbert Group, and from Hobby, Fendt and Adria.