VW California conquered Switzerland and that is a problem for it

Switzerland is in the middle of the campsite, with always more registered motorhomes. In addition, This phenomenon is partly linked to the famous VW California buses. Meanwhile, But things seem to change.

In recent years, Switzerland has experienced a real campsite boom, an enthusiasm still reinforced by the Pandemic of Covid. Furthermore, Today, camping holidays are very popular. Similarly, In 2024. Similarly, The Swiss have spent nearly three million nights in country campsitesan increase of approximately 15% compared to 2019, and even 64% compared to 2016. Meanwhile, The vanlife has become a real lifestyle, and the small landscaped vans have invaded the campsite.

Always more motorhomes and locations – Vw california conquered switzerland problem

This phenomenon has strengthened a trend started around twenty years ago. vw california conquered switzerland problem Nevertheless, In the 1990s, the number of motorhomes (including small Vans) registered in Switzerland remained stable, around 20,000 per year. Meanwhile, Then the curve has continued to go up.

According to the Federal Statistics Office (OFS). Furthermore, the number of motorhomes has been multiplied by five in the past twenty years, and has even doubled since 2016. Nevertheless, In 2024, Switzerland had 103,823 vehicles registered. Similarly, Among them, The VW California largely dominate, with around 30,000 units.

The Wohnmobillaland Schweiz association reports that the number of motorhomes for motorhomes has quadrupled in six years. Meanwhile, Unlike conventional campsites, these locations are often not monitored, and not all have water connections or drain points.

The booming vans …

Many campers find the caravans too bulky vw california conquered switzerland problem and improper. Therefore, Thus, many of them turned to the small developed vans. Consequently, The VW California T5 and T6 models, in their Beach, Ocean and Coast versions, have largely contributed to this boom. In addition,

These vehicles have the advantage of offering up to four beds thanks to a lifting roof. an awning, sometimes an integrated kitchen, and can be equipped with options like toilets, thus offering comfort close to a vw california conquered switzerland problem real motorhome.

Above all, they are compact enough for daily use, and can enter most underground car parks. We therefore meet them on both holiday roads and in town.

The motorhome boom is largely explained by the boom in these “small” vehicles. Become classics, their popularity has still been doped by the fashion of glamping and the arrival of new models. This year, the famous “Bulli”, of which the California is part, celebrates its 75th birthday. The first California vw california conquered switzerland problem produced by VW dates back to 1988.

A trend that however runs out of steam

VW launched in 2015 the California T6 Beach models (without cooking. storage, but with a longer bench), Coast and Ocean (with kitchen). Sales in Switzerland then jumped. But the 2019 figures have never been exceeded. After four stable years, 2024 marks a clear fall. Only some 800 vehicles have been sold so far in 2025.

When questioned. Amag, exclusive VW importer in Switzerland, recognizes it:

The establishment of the new T7 model (available since the end of 2024) will take time.

Amag specifies the reasons for this drop:

To this is added an uncertain situation which slows down consumption. However, these vans remain omnipresent on Swiss campsites.

A market stabilized after the pandemic

Camping holidays are always popular. But did the Vans market really come to saturation? Stefan Lieberherr, CEO of MyCamper.ch – Rental platform between individuals – nuance:

Currently, around 2,200 vehicles (campers, caravans, motorhomes) are offered on mycamper.ch-900 more than in 2020. Among them, vw california conquered switzerland problem around 300 are VW Camper (T2 to T7), or 13% of the total.

Is the boom finished? Stefan Lieberherr answers:

Note: electromobility remains marginal in the world of campers. Among the 5,800 vehicles referenced on the platform, none is entirely electric.

The used vans are struggling to sell

During the pandemic, many of these vehicles were purchased new. Today, new sales are retreating. And this has repercussions on the second -hand market. Formerly easy to resell, these vans now find less easily lessee.

On specialized platforms, small vans advertisements are increasing. It seems that many owners have achieved, after the pandemic, that this lifestyle did not suit them.

Saskia Iten. by Swiss Marketplace Group AG (owner in particular of Autoscout24), writes concerning the first semester: “The marked increase in announcements this year is explained by the arrival of new California and T7 models.”

Since 2022, the prices displayed for small Vans have dropped slightly each year, after an increase of vw california conquered switzerland problem almost 5% in 2021. On the other hand, for other campsite vehicles, the situation is more stable: between 10 and 20% more announcements each year since 2022.

Translated. adapted from German by Léon Dietrich