Xiaomi enters the camper market with the SkyNomad brand · VanLife Weekly #28
Xiaomi launches the SkyNomad brand and enters the camper market. Plus new models at the Tokyo Camping Car Show and 80% of Turkey's caravan makers closing.
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Locality · Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany
VanSky index for Rostock, Germany — 84 out of 100 (Ideal). Decide in seconds: temperature, precipitation, wind and solar output. Data refreshed several times a day from real weather observations.
The main score is weekly (7-day average). The “Today” toggle shows the current day, and the region page compares cities “by area”.
Rostock, Germany — VanSky 84 out of 100. Ideal conditions for travel. Ranked #926 of 1775 cities in the country (as of 14 July 2026). Temperature 24°C, wind 19 km/h. Solar panels yield 3.0 kWh/day at 400 W — enough for full autonomy.
Cities with a close score — route alternatives
A weather comfort index for travel: a 0–100 score. Recalculated daily from live weather data — temperature, rainfall, wind and sun.
How it's calculated:
Data: Open-Meteo · Updated several times a day
Rostock ranks 1 of 1775 cities. Country average VanSky — 78.
Updated: 11.07.2026
Super E10
$2.34 /l
€2.06 · £1.75/l
127 of 133
pricier than 95% of countries
Super Plus 98
$2.42 /l
€2.13 · £1.81/l
86 of 92
pricier than 92% of countries
Diesel
$2.24 /l
€1.97 · £1.67/l
124 of 134
pricier than 92% of countries
Premium Diesel
$2.55 /l
€2.24 · £1.91/l
39 of 41
pricier than 93% of countries
LPG
$1.27 /l
€1.12 · £0.95/l
48 of 51
pricier than 92% of countries
Skoda has added a 'Camp Mode' to the MySkoda app that automatically maintains the selected interior temperature during overnight stays in an electric vehicle. The feature is available for all Skoda electric models (Epiq, Elroq, Enyaq, Peaq) with app version 8.14, provided Skoda Connect services are activated and the traction battery has at least 30% charge (20% according to Peaq press materials). Previously, the app already enabled remote charging control, pre-conditioning, route planning, and vehicle status monitoring.
A 2023 Volkswagen Grand California 600 with 38,000 km is listed for €59,900 in Germany. The price is about €20,000 less than a new equivalent. The camper has a 177 hp diesel, 8-speed automatic, full driver assistance suite, and sleeping for four.
A 2023 Ford Tourneo Custom Active with 47,000 km is offered for €39,950 in Germany. It features a pop-up roof, photovoltaic system, two 100 Ah AGM batteries, inverter, and charge controller, enabling several days of off-grid use. The 2.0L turbodiesel (131 hp) is paired with a 6-speed automatic. Up to eight seats are available, with optional removable camping modules including a kitchen and toilet.
Volkswagen has introduced a new off-grid power system for the Grand California camper. The system includes two 40 Ah LiFePO4 auxiliary batteries and roof-mounted solar panels rated at 104 W (model 600) or 174 W (model 680). According to the manufacturer, the usable capacity of the new batteries is 40% higher than the previous AGM units, and their service life is about five times longer. The update also brings a Digital Cockpit Pro, a 10.4-inch infotainment display (12.9-inch optional), an electronic parking brake, and advanced driver-assistance features.
Jürgen Wagner (62), known as Öff Öff, who lived without a passport or insurance for over 30 years, now travels across Germany in a motorhome with his wife and son, returning to his own home with solar roof and pool near Marburg. He still leads the 'Schenker-Bewegung', which considers private property theft, and plans to publish a manifesto on human-AI cooperation.
Campingpark Heidewald in Sassenberg (North Rhine-Westphalia) offers pitches for motorhomes, caravans and tents, plus glamping options: tiny houses with sauna, shepherd's huts and safari tents. The park has been operating since the 1960s and is now run by the third generation of the Peitz-Austermann family. A basic motorhome pitch in high season costs €22 for two adults, children €6, dogs €4, electricity €0.70 per kWh. Premium and de-luxe pitches with private sanitary facilities and hammocks are available. The reservation system draws complaints: guests report accidentally occupying already reserved pitches. The grey water disposal station closes at 16:30. Wi-Fi is limited to 500 MB per day.
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