China Expands Auto Consumption: Camping, Tuning, and Trade-In

According to data published on August 14 by Blue Whale News, 'bed car travel' (床车旅行) is gaining popularity in China. On e-commerce platforms, a single inflatable car mattress has sold over 600,000 units. Travelers report saving on accommodation and transport, but complain about cramped space and inconvenience. Hotels are feeling the pressure: data from Hotel shows that from June 29 to July 26, 2026, national hotel RevPAR fell 2.8% year-on-year. In June, China's Ministry of Commerce and eight other departments issued a notice supporting the development of the RV camping industry.

Renowned Chinese auto journalist Han Lu has taken delivery of a 12-meter Yutong C12 bus in top trim, priced at around 800,000 yuan. He intends to spend at least another 200,000 yuan to convert the bus into a motorhome, bringing the total to about 1 million yuan. The bus features a 9.5-liter Weichai diesel engine, air suspension, automatic emergency braking, and other options.

China's Ministry of Commerce and eight other agencies introduced support policies for the automotive aftermarket, boosting demand for motorhomes and camping. Sichuan Quanyi Environmental Equipment Co., Ltd. in Qingbaijiang District (Chengdu) has orders through October, with capacity nearly fully utilized. The company is adding production lines and expanding into overseas markets.

A motorhome traveler warns that fuel costs during long trips can exceed hotel accommodation expenses. He notes that the real costs of maintaining and operating a motorhome are often underestimated and advises carefully weighing all expenses before purchasing.

A 2020 Juwei Ford New Era small-overcab motorhome, first registered in September 2020, has been listed for sale in China. It has 68,000 km on the odometer, three ownership transfers, and is classified as non-commercial. The vehicle is powered by a 2.2-liter diesel engine with a 6-speed manual gearbox, meets China VI emission standards, and seats six. Dimensions are 5985×2285×2750 mm. Equipment includes a 400 Ah lithium battery, 300 W solar panel, 3000 W inverter, 130 L fresh water tank, Gree air conditioning, Frost refrigerator, Thetford toilet, Fiamma awning, and a slide-out diesel stove.

At the Shanghai RV & Camping Expo held August 22–24, the Wanaka camper built on the BYD T5DM Pro Max chassis was presented. The vehicle uses a hybrid system where a 1.5-liter turbo engine acts as a generator, with electric drive for propulsion. Total battery capacity is about 70 kWh, providing an electric range of 150 km and a combined range of up to 1100 km. Inside, the camper features a slide-out living area seating six, two sleeping areas, a kitchen with refrigerator and microwave, a toilet with electric macerator, a 400-liter fresh water tank, solar panels, and dual inverters.