Vanecdotes: Road Trip to Japan Halted in Russia

Sollers Group has started production of the SF5 model at its Yelabuga plant. The vehicle is available in several configurations, including the Verso motorhome with a living module, solar panels, and an inverter. It features a 150 hp diesel engine and an automatic transmission, a first in its class. Sales are expected in Q3 2025; prices are not yet announced.

A new Chinese motorhome, the Xingyu Dongfeng Xiaokang 2026, has entered the Russian market. Built on a Dongfeng Xiaokang chassis, it measures 5780 × 2115 × 2790 mm and is powered by a 2.0L petrol engine producing 143 hp, paired with a manual transmission. The living module includes a 400 Ah lithium-ion battery, 400 W solar panels, a refrigerator, induction hob, air conditioning, and a diesel heater. The price is 3.509 million rubles turnkey in Moscow, including customs clearance.

A family from Ulan-Ude is raising six sons and traveling across Russia in a motorhome. They converted a minibus for living, have traveled over 55,000 kilometers, and visited many regions. Older children help with driving and household chores, while younger ones study remotely. The family plans to continue traveling and visit Kamchatka.

The 'Beyond the Horizon' forum for road travelers took place in the Voronezh region, featuring an exhibition of motorhomes and expedition equipment. Exhibits included camper vans, roof tents, and fully equipped motorhomes with shower, toilet, and kitchen. One displayed motorhome was priced at over 4 million rubles.

The Karavanex exhibition in Kolomna has been rebranded as Camper Expo. The event featured new pickup truck modules, including a model with a toilet and shower within the truck bed dimensions, as well as furniture kits for minibuses. Quality and prices have increased, while the number of low-cost pop-up campers has declined.

A Chinese motorhome on a Maxus V100 chassis with slide-out walls, previously typical for American models, has been introduced in Russia. The 5.99 m vehicle features a 2.0 L diesel engine (147 hp) and automatic transmission, requiring a category 'C' license. Equipment includes a 7.2 kWh lithium-ion battery, 400 W solar panels, diesel heating, air conditioning, a 142 L Thetford refrigerator, and six berths. The price in Moscow is about 5.5 million rubles turnkey, lower than European and American counterparts with similar features.