Car rental and motorhome travel boom in China

From August 28 to 30, the Star Avenue at Golden Beach Beer City in Qingdao will host the 30th Qingdao International Motorhome Exhibition. The event coincides with the summer travel peak and the early autumn camping season. Exhibits include electric, hybrid and solar-powered motorhomes, as well as smart control systems. The 1.5 km exhibition area directly adjoins the beach.

On June 10, 2026, China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology released the 409th batch of vehicle announcements, including 65 new models of recreational and camping vehicles from 55 manufacturers. Among them, 49 are motorhomes (46 self-propelled and 3 trailers), including 11 new energy models (3 fully electric). Additionally, 16 camping vehicles were presented, with 4 new energy models (3 fully electric).

From July 16 to 20, 2026, the Henghe motorhome camp in Yangcheng County, Shanxi Province, will host a festival featuring motorhome and tent camping, barbecue with a professional team, an outdoor swimming pool with separate deep and shallow areas, and evening live music. The event is organized by the Yangcheng Information Center and the Henghe town government.

On July 10, two themed motorhomes from Songming County (Kunming) drove through Nanjing's central streets, including Xinjiekou and Binjiang, as well as near the Nanjing Eye and Confucius Temple landmarks. Inside, the temperature was kept at 20 °C to replicate Songming's cool climate. Attendants in traditional Chinese costumes handed out fresh-cut flowers and discount coupons for local hotels, shops, and tourist attractions. The campaign aims to attract tourists and potential property buyers.

Xiaomi has no plans to produce motorhomes, despite their fit with the 'human-vehicle-home' ecosystem. In 2024, about 30,000 self-propelled motorhomes were sold in China, less than 0.2% of the total passenger car market (over 20 million units). The market is too small to recoup R&D and production investments. Additionally, China lacks motorhome infrastructure: few campsites, charging and waste disposal points, and tall motorhomes often cannot enter underground parking and are restricted on central roads. In 2021, Xiaomi built one demonstration motorhome on a Maxus chassis with 60 smart devices for a fan, but it was a one-off project.

The 24th Beijing RV Expo and the 33rd China International RV Camping Conference will take place from September 11 to 13, 2026, at the RV World venue in Fangshan District, Beijing. The event is co-organized by RV World Group, 21st Century RV, and RV Family. It will feature over 100 domestic and international motorhome brands, chassis manufacturers, parts suppliers, and camping equipment providers. Highlights include new model launches, business matchmaking, expert talks by long-distance travelers, and social activities for RV owners.