Caravan, Campervan and Motorhome Wrap-Up February 2024
Transcript
Hello and welcome to the Caravansforsale February NEC 2024 wrap-up! This year we had a great time meeting up with some lovely folks and some of our favorite companies, getting a sneak peek at some new and exciting developments, and soaking up all the joys that the show has to offer.
First off, we had the pleasure of chatting with David from Ventura Campervans, an industry-leading campervan conversion company, and we got the scoop on their new and exciting Peugeot VR 400. Take a look at it now.
CFS: What’s on the cards for Ventura this year?
David, Ventura: So, it’s all about the VR 400, which is selling at the moment, and it's a new model that was launched for the October show. We’ve got a trek version. It's going to have the offroad style headlights on it and roof bars. That sort of thing. Offroad style wheels and tyres. So, that's hopefully we'll have some display for the October show.
CFS: How key is the internal space?
David, Ventura: Look at the living space we have here. This bed is on rails as well. So, when you've got your kids sat here, you can move the bed right forward. It gives you a massive boot to put your camping gear in as well.
CFS: What was last year’s best-seller?
David, Ventura: Last year our best seller was the T6. We had problems with L1 supply last year for the VR 200. We've got a few of those in stock as well.
CFS: What’s impressed you at this show?
David, Ventura: Some of the sprinters. There’s a nice four-by-four sprinter, but very very expensive. A couple of crafters are looking really nice so, maybe that’s a route that we’d look at in the future.
After sitting down with David. We approached one of the busiest stalls at the show; Moving Intelligence. We managed to get a moment of Ben's time and had a chat about their new flagship security tracker, an alarm system; the brand-new Sentinel S5.
CFS: What is your main focus for this year?
Ben, Moving Intelligence: This year, we've really found that insurance companies are looking for the S5 on everything. So, combining our Sentinel with the S5, we've just got the ultimate product at the moment. It just ticks a giant box with insurance companies. Everyone needs it.
CFS: How important is customer service in your business?
Ben, Moving Intelligence: With the growing number of vehicles on the road, there's more and more for the use of this kind of stuff. So, it's good that we can even add the immobilisation on there as well (after the sale).
CFS: What was your best-selling product last year?
Ben, Moving Intelligence: We were mainly pushing on the S7 stuff, and now with the growing demand for the S5, we've kind of just put all our eggs in one basket.
CFS: What have you enjoyed at this event?
Ben, Moving Intelligence: It's been a lot to take in, but, some people, like, all we need to do is, do a 180 turn and we've got a fudge stand.
Switching gears from security systems to the world of e-bikes, our next visit was to the impressive RooDog stall. Their Chic electric bike has been selling like crazy, and they’re very excited for everyone to see that new mountain range; The Avatar 2.0.
CFS: What’s your best seller?
Scott, RooDog: So, this bike is really popular because it's quite small and compact. So, it fits a lot of riders. It's really small, and easy to get on. The controls are nice and easy to use. Nice comfortable ride position. Seven-speed gears with five levels of assist. Integrated lights and a nice little step through which people seem to like. It's actually 22 kilos with the battery included. So, when the battery’s off it’s only 19 kilos.
CFS: What’s your main focus this year?
Scott, RooDog: This is our upgrade on what we originally had, which was our mountain bike range. So we've got the step-through and the crossbar. So male and female or unisex or however you want to interpret it. Nice integrated battery in the frame. Built for a bit more rugged terrain. It's quite new out. So we've got new few new developments heading this year.
CFS: What have you enjoyed at the event so far?
Scott, RooDog: What I quite like actually is, over in hall five, they've got set up for paddle boards for the kids to use. That's really good.
Finishing up this year's interviews, we experienced the very top end of the leisure vehicle market. We sat down with Spencer from Auto-Sleepers, and they allowed us inside some of their top-of-the-range vehicles to really see what money can get you.
CFS: What sets you apart from the rest of the market?
Spencer, Auto-Sleepers: I think that most people attire with Mercedes and the reason we’ve gone to Mercedes is the driving experience. It drives like a car. It really does. It's one of the best-selling factors. Got the MBUX system in there, full entertainment. It is truly a great drive and that's the big selling point, USP to be honest.
CFS: How important is the interior space?
Spencer, Auto-Sleepers: I mean, this is the best-selling layout in campervans anyway, so it was a no-brainer to go down this route. The advantages you’ve got with this are that you can have either one huge bed or two single beds, but it's comfortable living. It really is luxury living.
CFS: Are people still looking for luxury campervans?
Spencer, Auto-Sleepers: People are looking for that fit-and-finish. The quality of the fittings that we use like handles, solidness of doors, things like that.
CFS: The plushness of the couches.
Spencer, Auto-Sleepers: Yes, absolutely. I mean, the shopping list is long generally. I mean, people take a long time to make that decision to finally cross the bridge and actually put the money down on the vehicle. So it's important that they get what they want and quality is everything.
CFS: What has impressed you at the show?
Spencer, Auto-Sleepers: Some of our group products next door with the Benivan. That's been really popular. Great price point. I know that’s had a lot of people through it. So, that's really good.
And that's a wrap! In between kayaks, flapjacks and everything you need for a Jack Russell, The Caravan, Camping, and Motorhome Show really does have it all. A huge thank you to everyone we saw and spoke to over the weekend, and of course, a special mention to Ventura, RooDog, Moving Intelligence, and Auto-Sleepers. Don't forget, give us a like, share, and follow, and stay up to date with all the wonderful things we have coming your way soon.