The Italian camper industry has experienced a significant production boost, with a 20% increase from August 2023 to July 2024.
Italy ranks as the third-largest camper producer in Europe, following Germany and France, with a focus on high-end models.
The majority of Italian campers are manufactured in Tuscany, particularly in areas known for their vineyards, such as San Casciano and San Gimignano.
However, the control of this 'Camper Valley' has shifted to foreign hands, with companies like Trigano, Rapido, and Thor Industries acquiring local brands.
The industry has navigated a rollercoaster of demand fluctuations, initially driven by the pandemic-induced interest in outdoor vacations, followed by supply chain challenges.
Despite these hurdles, the sector closed the 2023-2024 fiscal year with positive financial results and is set to showcase new models at the upcoming Camper Show in Parma.
Production and exports have reached new heights, with nearly 25, 000 vehicles produced and exports growing by 35% in 2023.
The industry's workforce has expanded to 2, 200 employees.
However, the rising cost of campers, up by 20-30% over the past two years, poses a threat to consumer purchasing power.
This price hike is mainly due to increased chassis costs, although labor costs have remained stable.
The market has shown resilience, with a 20% increase in new camper registrations in Italy during the first half of 2024.
This growth is mirrored in Europe, where registrations rose by 6.4% in the first quarter of 2024.
Germany, a key market for Italian campers, reported a 9.3% increase in registrations.
Despite these positive trends, the industry faces potential challenges, including the non-renewal of temporary contracts that were initially established to meet increased production demands.
Reports indicate that some contracts at companies like Trigano and Laika have not been renewed, highlighting concerns about future employment stability in the sector.