September 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press Contact:

Anne Meerboth-Maltz
Tel. (312)781-5185
Fax (312) 781-5188
email: ameerboth@mdna.com

Messe Düsseldorf North America
150 North Michigan Avenue
Suite 2920
Chicago, IL 60601

CARAVAN SALON DÜSSELDORF 2008:
64% OF VISITORS PLAN NEW VEHICLE PURCHASE

At the recent staging of CARAVAN SALON DÜSSELDORF, International Trade Fair for Recreational Vehicles, Motor Homes, Trailers and Camping Equipment, 585 exhibitors from 22 countries presented their new products and technology to 158,000 visitors from 38 nations. A total of 64% of the visitors stated their intention to purchase a new vehicle within the next two years.

Wilhelm Niedergöker, Managing Director of Messe Düsseldorf, commented: “The general reluctance to buy which is also felt by the automotive industry and the insecurity amongst customers due to the environmental zones debate also affected CARAVAN SALON 2008. Nevertheless, we have almost achieved the predicted target of 160,000 visitors and that shows that all those interested in a new recreational vehicle come to the CARAVAN SALON in Düsseldorf despite the difficult general circumstances. The first Recreational Vehicle World Conference held during CARAVAN SALON also increased internationality further, making CARAVAN SALON also known in markets such as Japan, China and Australia.”

“The international importance of CARAVAN SALON DÜSSELDORF was boosted not only by the Recreational Vehicle World Conference held for the first time. The high percentage of foreign exhibitors and trade visitors also shows that CARAVAN SALON is the unrivalled No. 1 trade fair for the European RV industry. The sector can be satisfied with this strong international impulse and the talks and business deals concluded over the ten days of the trade fair,” stated Klaus Förtsch, President of the RV Industry Association (CIVD).

Exhibitors were also pleased with the international flair of CARAVAN SALON. Hermann Pfaff, Board Member at HYMER AG, remarked: “On the trade visitors’ day, visitors came not only from all over Europe but from nearly all over the world.” And Reinhard Löhner, General Manager at Concorde Reisemobile, stated that the percentage of visitors from abroad at his stand was growing every year. In addition to English, French and Italian, Eastern European languages were increasingly heard at the show.

New vehicles were in great demand and Thomas Fritz, General Manager at Dethleffs, explained that a lot of visitors came especially to see new vehicles which are not available at dealerships yet. Especially high-quality vehicles were selling well and the trend towards comfortable, high-priced vehicles was evident at this year’s CARAVAN SALON.

According to a visitor survey, the interest in RV vacations continued to rise but is experiencing a shift. “We have seen that people increasingly travel in their own home countries due to the fuel prices so that this year there was avid interest in German campsites,” explained Eike Schürmann, General Manager of LeadingCampings.

TourNatur 2008, Hiking Trade Fair, was again held concurrently with CARAVAN SALON. A total of 275 exhibitors showcased the latest equipment and products for hiking to 33,000 visitors.

The next CARAVAN SALON will be held from August 28 (trade visitor and media day) to September 6, 2009 in Düsseldorf, Germany (TourNatur will take place from September 4 – 6, 3009). For further information on visiting or exhibiting at CARAVAN SALON DÜSSELDORF 2009 or TourNatur 2009, contact Messe Düsseldorf North America, 150 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 2920, Chicago, IL 60601. Telephone: (312) 781-5180; Fax: (312) 781-5188; E-mail: info@mdna.com. Or visit the web site http://www.mdna.com.

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