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.
📽️ "Campervan Market Crash" - • Dealers Are Going Bust...
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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
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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

[@neilmick6778]

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

[@Transporter2084]

I spent nearly double that on my 6.1 and it’s not even a full camper. I love it when people like you make these comments 😂 Do you make the same comment to Rolex wearers, because they could have got a Casio or Miele when they could buy a Hotpoint? I hope you made your comment whilst browsing on a cheap Chinese tablet and not an iPad? 😂

[@bcarroll7317]

77K seems a lot of money, But they are well built, and have a high resale value.

[@StaycationLifestyle]

It’s big money, the California always has been, but now other vans are around the same price. Vans are sold in excess of this, considerably more. Some people argue the same about car values.

[@StaycationLifestyle]

I usually use comparisons such a Ford and Ferrari, Peugeot and Porsche, but watch out in future videos for your comparisons. I genuinely laughed out loud with Miele and Hotpoint 🤣

[@Vkng2458]

If this was £47k I’d struggle to see its worth, over priced and over rated.

[@robbrigham5926]

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.

[@garykennedy4856]

Maybe you could cut out the pizza and cake.

[@alrennie619]

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 ,

[@StaycationLifestyle]

Many people are moving to bigger vans. More room more comfort

[@DS-cf1zc]

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.

[@StaycationLifestyle]

Absolutely true. There will always be something to convert

[@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.

[@mikadavies660]

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.

[@StaycationLifestyle]

It’s certainly changed in recent years. Only about 18 months ago, I spoke about a motor caravan registered van, type approved, RIB bed, sprung bed in pop top etc etc and was £50k. Now that same van is £65k ish.

[@briandevitt6903]

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.

[@StaycationLifestyle]

It isn’t cheap, but the problem is, everything else is around this (when looking at new) The prices have rocketed recently

[@shanewaller2864]

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 👍

[@StaycationLifestyle]

I look forward to seeing it when it’s here and testing it out. I’m there Tues and Wed. We will definitely sort meeting soon. When are you having your full camper conversion ?

[@growingupisatrap6688]

Might see you there Tuesday, I wont be signing autographs tho, so please don’t ask 😂

[@paulwilson3759]

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 😢

[@StaycationLifestyle]

It’s mega money 💰

[@KevSmith-s6l]

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

[@StaycationLifestyle]

I think that is target market for them and it is a great vehicle. I know it’s big money, but the decent level basevan is just shy of £60k

[@KevSmith-s6l]

@@StaycationLifestyle And everything regarding the vehicle is covered by the warranty of VW, your cooker goes wrong?.....back to VW, your bed plays up?......back to VW. It's got to be a positive. I think other base vehicle manufacturers will possibly enter this field, I can see the likes of Mercedes and Hyundai following the lead of VW because it's a great market.

[@StaycationLifestyle]

Mercedes have the Marco Polo and Hyundai have the Staria. There are manufacturers who make their own, but don’t think they sell as well as the California

[@martingill6996]

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

[@StaycationLifestyle]

It is beyond most of us, but if no one buy one, there aren’t any used ones 😜

[@johngrabowski5259]

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

[@StaycationLifestyle]

🤣

[@steve61098]

🤣

[@steveminers5764]

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

[@StaycationLifestyle]

That’s a totally different van, so wouldn’t expect you too. That’s like saying I won’t swap my Audi estate for a 2 seater Porsche 😀 I of course jest, I understand

[@dolphson77]

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 unique'........ The reason it's not the end is because many people can't afford these silly prices.

[@StaycationLifestyle]

@@dolphson77 When base vans are so expensive, what option do converters have? Other than used, but that means someone has to buy them in the first place 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@frankjenkins6627]

Ridiculously priced it’s a van with a feckin kitchen and a seat that turns into a bed . There are still plenty of suckers out there !

[@StaycationLifestyle]

The base van pre conversion is just shy of £60k

[@dolphson77]

@@StaycationLifestyle no the market for overpriced vans will run out of steam as the supply of stupid buyers with money to burn will run out. There are many potential donor vans out there ready for conversion so it will fuel more demand for the converters. VW and all the rest of car manufacturers are trying to make up for being caned with billion dollar fines for fiddling emission figures. About time buyers woke up.

[@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.

[@StaycationLifestyle]

I’m interested to see it

[@myplacecalifornia]

@@StaycationLifestyle in my opinion… there will be a lot of new conversion based on a new transporter or ford because if someone would like to have micro camper he can have Vw cady California

[@upthepalace2000]

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

[@StaycationLifestyle]

@@upthepalace2000 thank you, much appreciated. If you saw my video with Cooler Commercials, you will have seen he gets some decent stuff.

[@upthepalace2000]

@@StaycationLifestyle yeah I’ll check out your video again but it is an absolute nightmare. I live down in the far south of England and there ain’t much down there at all if any, I’m losing the will 😭

[@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.

[@StaycationLifestyle]

We all have different choices, many others would do similar to you. Let’s hope some people buy these though or there won’t be any used ones in a few years 🤣

[@DriveWithAndy]

@@StaycationLifestyle haha very true. I always wonder what happens to all these new vehicles after so many years as so many don't own theirs so given back after 2 years. You don't see many reg plates beyond a out 10 years these days

[@markfoster3421]

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

[@StaycationLifestyle]

@@markfoster3421 VW have the same engine in the New Transporter. Question is, has that engine been modified from the one with the bad reputation 🤷🏻‍♂️ Someone must have opened one up and had a look

[@neilmick6778]

You'll get more failures if you sell more vehicles... Transits have outsold Transporters by miles.

[@StaycationLifestyle]

That is very true

[@Transporter2084]

@@neilmick6778are you denying that wet belts are an issue on Transits? Clearly a blinkered Ford owner 😂

[@KevSmith-s6l]

Many fleet owners run "wet belt" transits without any significant problems, much of this supposed major defect has been blown out of proportion on internet chat. Amazon UK have recently announced the purchase 2700 new Ford transits, I think they would know better than most.

[@Johndoe10007]

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

[@StaycationLifestyle]

I understand what you are saying, but I imagine this will sell very well. I would be very surprised if it doesn’t

[@paulegner7653]

£77,000 FOR a ford transit wet belt engine builders van with a couple of cupboards in the back. You must be mad

[@StaycationLifestyle]

@@paulegner7653 This is NOT a Ford. This is the VW engined California built on the Multivan.

[@lovevans911]

Buy a T6.1

[@StaycationLifestyle]

I would like too 😀

[@modevans3569]

😂😂😂😂 this will not wipe anything out

[@StaycationLifestyle]

@@modevans3569 did you watch the video?

[@modevans3569]

@@StaycationLifestyle yep.

[@StaycationLifestyle]

@@modevans3569👍🏼 I know it won’t either 😀

[@nigelwestern3427]

Dont worry we will keep the older ones come on if you buy a t7 or an i buzz you are not a a true veeduber and the electric ones are the reason they are in trouble

[@danieltoogood9385]

77k cheap?! Get real! You need a reality pill

[@StaycationLifestyle]

@@danieltoogood9385 Relatively speaking. It’s a California. Have you seen the prices of other campers 🤷🏻‍♂️ Clearly it’s big money, but a Cali used to be significantly more than anything else, now it’s less in a lot of cases.