Auto China 2024: Surprising Variety of Campers
One of the stars at the Maxus stand was certainly the electric RV Life based on the eDeliver 7 with a pop-up roof. The Maxus combines the California with the Nugget layout, which means: rear bench seat, side kitchen, but an electric mid-mounted lifting roof with storage area and standing height even in the rear. All of this made a solid and well-thought-out impression.
Price and range still limit the e-campers
As a van, it offers up to 370 km range according to WLTP and up to 1,125 kg payload. In reality, the former might be around 250 km, and the latter maybe 300 to 400 kilograms. It's not much, but it's a start, and if all this remains affordable, which is currently the biggest hurdle, because: With the recommended 88 kWh battery, 47,990 euros net (57,108.10 euros gross) would be required for the bare delivery van. In China, you can almost get the entire camper for that... nevertheless, Westfalia and others could still do the math...
Ford itself also had numerous campers on display: The Transit is unusually strong in China and almost has a monopoly on the modern 2.8-ton van. However, it now uses a facelifted version of the predecessor, exhibited at the show with a similar design to the Maxus. Here in Germany, we also expect the Nugget-California duo again soon, while VW might have a bit more difficulty with the more compact T7. The ID.Buzz is still awaited as a camper.
Also interesting was the study in Cybertruck look with a rear tent, and generally the pickup as a load carrier with a tent or alcove camper structure.
GAC introduced the Y Plus minivan with a roof tent, creating space for passengers and accessories inside – even in China, there is increasing consideration for "converter campers" like the Dacia Duster or Skoda Enyaq, which are sometimes equipped with a roof tent, sometimes with two beds inside(!) to make them mini-campers.
Still too big, complicated, and expensive? Then just put folding chairs, a camping table, and an inflatable seat in the trunk and off you go – even in the flat-building electric sedans – the main thing is that they have a large tailgate! This also makes it easier to get commercial registration, which can be tricky for motorhomes – although that is often the only way to finance the rolling cabin at all.
What does this mean?
Amazing! We didn't expect to see multiple camping concepts at Auto China. But even in China, the longing for nature and the life by the campfire is growing – or at least the possibility to be flexible on the road, which always works best with campers!
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