THULE: RV market recovery, new launches, and efficiency gains support margin and growth outlook

This week in the automotive world: Finnish company Nokian introduced tires with automatic studs, French brand Beauer showed a caravan that expands to 28 square meters in a minute, and Audi revives the A2 as an electric vehicle. Also reported are new speed cameras in Greece and Sweden's plan to install 1000 new cameras.

A hotel in Halland has applied to build a motorhome parking area. If approved, it could be ready by next summer.

In April 2026, 854 motorhomes were registered in Sweden, compared with 609 in April 2025. So far in 2026, 1,887 motorhomes have been registered, a 61.6% increase from 1,168 in the same period last year, according to industry statistics. Owners report difficulty finding overnight spots, with one saying you must arrive by 9 a.m. to secure a place.

According to a survey by Svensk Camping, bookings for the current season are ahead of the record year 2025. Nearly every second member company reports improved booking levels and strong demand from both Swedish and international guests. Mikael Andersson, chairman of the Caravan Club of Sweden's Södermanland section, was met at the campsite in Löt, Strängnäs, where he was serving as camp host.

According to the Swedish Caravan and Motorhome Association (HRF), new motorhome registrations in Sweden increased by 46% in 2025 compared to 2024, while caravan registrations declined. The country has about 425,000 registered caravans and around 300,000 motorhomes. HRF chairman Per Nilsson attributes the shift to a European trend of people wanting to move around more, finding motorhomes more convenient. Magnus Hartwall, who has tried both, prefers a caravan because driving a motorhome caused rattling noises from cupboards.

Camping owners in Sweden have filed a complaint against municipal parking areas for motorhomes, claiming they create unfair competition. They argue that under the new law, these municipal sites offer services at prices that private campsites cannot match. The complaint seeks to remove or alter the operation of these parking areas.