R
eport
South American RV market
Words Mauro Nogarin
Latin America: land of RVs? The data shows that just before the pandemic, the motorhome market saw a significant increase compared to previous years, a trend that was particularly noticeable in countries such as Argentina and Brazil
E
ven in Latin America, against all odds, the recreational vehicle market has increased. The pandemic was a cause of this sudden new trend in open-air tourism, driven by the most significant countries of Argentina and Brazil. Travelling in an RV for a few weeks of holiday offers that condition now in demand and recommended by experts: social distancing – a trend that follows what has happened in some European countries. Travelling aboard an RV guarantees greater safety for the family: social distance can be maintained and the hygiene of the surfaces and objects they touch is under control. The economic factors of choosing an RV have taken a back seat, while the reasons for making the decision to drive a camper are increasing; in the case of Brazil, according to some market studies, the saving of costs of an overnight stay in a hotel when compared to renting a motorhome, fluctuates between 25% and 35%. However, it is still early to say if we are facing a turning point in the motorhome market, or if it is just a temporary condition. The trend seems to be clear now, particularly in countries such as Argentina and Brazil where most of the recreational vehicle market focuses on van conversions, followed by motorhomes, caravans and pick-up units. In other Latin American countries, after
108
careful research and contacting manufacturers such as Sicsa (Mexico), Camper Travel and Kunstmann Outdoors (Chile), Interno Campers (Peru) and TerraAventura (Uruguay), we found that demand and offers of recreational vehicles have not yet reached a level of a real market in conventional terms. Brazil There are two main areas visited by Brazilian campers. One is the Serra do Rio Rastro, a mountainous area located in the southeast of the federal state of Santa Catarina, in the south of Brazil. Along the SC438 road you can see memorable landscapes for hundreds and hundreds of kilometres, while the SC390, also known by the nickname of “carretera asombrosa”, which means the “spectacular road”, lets you understand the beauty of nature. Another itinerary that will remain forever in the memories of any tourist who also likes history, is the “Estrada Real”, a 1,600 km route traced by the Portuguese in the 17th century. A road that connects the states of Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro and San Paolo. Three
cities that still cover an indisputable importance in South America. In 2020, the recreational vehicle market in Brazil showed expansion, although in reality the first signs had already been glimpsed at the end of 2018 when the annual turnover of new vehicles had reached €12 million. Estrella Mobil, one of the largest motorhome manufacturers in Brazil, has seen growth of 80% in the last year. Contrary to expectations during the pandemic, the public saw that traveling by motorhome was a viable alternative and offers many benefits. Another major Brazilian manufacturer, such as Grupo FAN, which was just founded in 2019, has confirmed an increase in demand
