Have Volkswagen KILLED the Campervan Conversion Market?

The NEW Volkswagen California Ocean is coming this Winter and it has caused a SCARE.
Is this the end of the Campervan Conversion Market?

This new campervan from Volkswagen is their latest from their long history of building the California Ocean and Beach Campers. What is different about this one? What affect could this have on the industry?
One person I spoke to, had immediate concern, but is it warranted?

Next week it will be the NEC Camping Caravan and Motorhome show and it will be interesting to see what will be on show.

Use Code STAYCATIONLIFESTYLE for discount

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Whether you have a T5, VW T5.1, T6, T6.1 or even an older T2, T2.5, T4, the VW Vanlife scene is amazing, with so much help and assistance available for whatever project you wish to attempt. Panel van, Kombi, Converted Camper or VW California Beach or Ocean, enjoy the freedom van life brings.

The @Staycation Lifestyle van conversion is coming along.

Lots for me to look forward too and it would be nice to take you on the journey.
Vanlife is amazing, get out and explore, it's a great adventure.
There are many great camper adventures to come

Amazon Audible is great for listening to books on longer journeys, I have used it for years.

The new VW Transporter and new VW California Ocean are being released
The T7 Transporter, no its the NEW Transporter.

If you click on my Amazon affiliate links, I may receive a commission.

Some links are affilliate links, however I will only link products I use and believe in. (Sandbanks, Outin, Amazon, Dock and Bay)

Have VW Killed the Campervan Market?
Is this the end of the Campervan Conversation Market?
VW have released the California Ocean and its cheap. Will this be the end of campervan conversions because everyone will buy the California?

#camper #campervan #camping #vanlife #vanlifeuk #transporter #vwbus #adventure #vwcamper #staycation #wildcamping #travel

[neilmick]

£77k for a van? Doesn't matter what they're for sale for, if you buy one you need your head testing.

[robbrigham]

In the 'old' California, the bed widths were 120cm (top) and 115cm (bottom) and the bottom one is already tight (but just about OK) for two people. The new one is 113cm (top) and 106cm (bottom) - this is just too narrow unless you are really thin and dont move much in the night. The ceiling height used to be 133cm and the new one is 129cm (both without pop top up), so two inches less height. Despite the extra length and width, the engine bay takes up more of the length, so you have less usable and the two sided opening takes up more width than is gained. So its much smaller inside, only a single burner and a rubbish fridge.

[alrennie]

A friend of mine is a camper converter, he said he’s done no t5 or t6 conversions this year, all crafters and sprinters, and loads of them,

[martingill]

In “real world “ people buy an older van and convert . £77k is beyond majority of us, unless you retired on a big fat pension .

[DS-cfzc]

I asked the guy who built my van if this would be an issue - and he just smiled, and said - there is always vans to convert - and he does cover VW, Ford and does small, medium and large vans. I suspect his wealth will continue to grow, regardless of this smaller inside Cali than the previous model.

[Zalley]

There is a German YT video (can easily get English subtitles) “The new VW California 2025 in TEST – compared to its predecessor” from 1 month ago.

[mikadavies]

Having recently seen conversions at £80, 000 upwards... I have realised that £65k to £77k is considerable but not mental. I seen plenty of second hand campers at over £65k... Even though these prices are not my personal budget, I can see where they do fit within the marketplace.

[briandevitt]

That will be 100K in Ireland with conversion to Euros and our high VRT rates on vehicles.
I wouldn't call that cheap to be honest but as you say its all relative.
I had a look at some new vans of all sizes in a dealers recently and I was shocked at the prices they were charging.

[dolphson]

The trouble is you have been conditioned into thinking this is cheap and the previous models were too, prices have gone sky high because demand is high after the Covid debacle. They are overpriced and a rip off. No doubt there will be plenty of crazy people out there wanting to waste their money. For the record there is no such thing as 'more The reason it's not the end is because many people can't afford these silly prices.

[KevSmith-sl]

Great buy for young families, like you say a daily car replacement that can fit in the supermarket that doubles up as weekends and holidays away for years until the kids grow up

[paulwilson]

77 large! For an old builders van with a bed in it! You having laugh? Well, VW are!!!! The trouble is, by buying them we are allowing bad behaviour. Apple started this b*** s~** with 1k for a phone, now everyone else wants a taste 😢

[upthepalace]

Hopefully the prices will come down now, I can’t get anything decent for £35, 000… (VW camper vans )so hopefully the prices will settle… love your videos, mate

[shanewaller]

Hi steve I really like the look of the multi van california, I think it's a great use of the space but, for me the bed is the most important part if a camper, that's why I have the 40 winks full width queen size bed in the rear of my kombi van . The bed in the cali may well be great but it certainly isn't wide enough. The tech in the new van fantastic and in honesty it represents great value. But it certainly isn't as big as a LWB transporter. Quick question when will you be at the NEC mate as I will be going on the Saturday would be great to meet up and have a chat if your about mate 👍

[markfoster]

Ford not doing great as they fitted wet cambelts! Let's hope vw don't!

[myplacecalifornia]

There is one big “no” for new California. Try to open the bed with 2-3 person inside. There is no space . It is literally to small.

[Johndoe]

Yeh an expensive car that you can make a cup of tea in and have rough nights sleep on a bumpy bed that you can’t goto the toilet in or shower in . Now that money is tight and buying things to show off in is no longer the order of the day this leaves this product with not much else going for it … it’s expensive and not practical and such items suffer badly in a downturn

[johngrabowski]

Why is Gary Barlow going on about campervans, I would have thought he was more neismann bischoff

[DriveWithAndy]

Still expensive, more than double what we should end up paying for a second hand Transit Custom LWB decent spec one to be converted by a good company. Yes it's brand new. But so will our conversation. Apart from the vents engine and running gear of course but for less than half the price we feel our choice is by far we'll more worth it.

[Deepthought-]

VW have shot themselves in the foot. Their new models are not a patch on the old ones and VW is no longer the base vehicle of choice on which to do a conversion.

[steveminers]

Would I chop our Autotrail V Line for one of these. Not a chance.