NEC Caravan & Motorhome Show 2008
As the credit crunch continues to bite, the Great British "holiday on wheels" is the popular choice for the family summer break.
The NEC Caravan & Motorhome 2008 Show opened its doors yesterday and visitors poured in to see the latest new models and products on offer.
See the video of the NEC Opening and Patrick Duffy Unveiling the Ecostream.
Click Read More to see the rest of the writeup on the show..
Product & Model highlights from The NEC Caravan & Motorhome Show.
Autotrail have the new Apache 632, the Apache 725 and a revised Cheyenne 635 and Mohican at the show. The new Excel will also be on display which is the new compact autotrail motorhome.
Bilbo's Design are introducing the new Dezine which is a Mercedes based motorhome devloped in conjunction with Westfalia.
Blaupunkt are showcasing the new TravelPilot 500 and Travelpilot 700 Series Satellite Navigation products with innovative built in cameras and real time video map overlays.
Calor are showcasing the new Calor Lite (lightweight steel cylinders)
Dethleffs have the new Globetrtter XXL Luxury A Class motorhome on display and the Magic Edition range based on Fiat Ducato chassis.
ENTiVA is debuting their new wireless entertainment system which combines audio, visual and internet functionality into one unqiue infotainment system which is easy to install and simple to use. The actual products themselves although on display will not be in sale until Q1 2009 from their dealer network. The actual Entiva system incorporates a small base station which communicates wirelessly with a tablet handheld type PC. Built in freeview TV and internet TV Streamlining are also available.
Swift Group Bolero, Bessacarr E500 and Ace Airstream ranges have all been fitted with new energy saving LED lighting which gives a 70% reduction in total lighting power consumption. Safety has been increased with a passenger’s air bag in addition to the driver’s one and the cab and exterior doors all have remote central locking.
The Swift Group’s class-leading Bessacarr E700 and Swift Kon-Tiki ranges now come with a fuel saving low line GRP roof with ‘Skyview’ window. A Swift Kontiki 679 was on display at the show.
Security has been improved across all ranges with the introduction of the new HAL ‘Locate’. It is the only GPS tracking and monitoring system to have the highest level of Thatchum approval for use in the leisure industry; and benefits from European cover. The clever system is monitored by police in over 40 European countries, sends text alerts when the vehicle is moved; as well as when the battery is flat.
Patrick Duffy Unveils the Ecostream
The Ecostream was officially unveiled at the International Caravan and Motorhome Show by Buddhist and ex Dallas star Patrick Duffy.
The Ecostream is being heralded as the world's most eco friendly caravan
The Caravan Club challenged ex Top Gear presenter Steve Berry and motoring expert Tighe Grainger to build the Ecostream as the worlds most environmentally friendly caravan.
Steve Berry said: “This has been a unique, absorbing and, at times, tiring, challenge. I’ve learnt a lot about alternative technologies and met some great people who manage to combine a strong interest in design and engineering with a passionate concern for the environment. If I’ve learnt one thing, it’s that you can be a petrol-head and a tree-hugger!”
The Ecostream has been constructed to include as many environmentally friendly options as possible including innovative flexible Solar Panels over the roof area, furniture made from converted recycled plastic products such as shampoo bottles, mobile phone covers, yoghurt pots and CDs and even a woodburning stove with roof mounted chimney !.
The Caravan Club Marketing Director Nick Lomas said: “The Caravan Club felt it was right to explore the possibilities of producing a more environmentally means of caravanning.”
The caravan will feature at the show which runs at the NEC, Birmingham, until Sunday 19th October.
Summary of the NEC Caravan & Motorhome Show 2008
The show itself felt huge with it taking place in the new NEC Halls, with over 300 exhibitors on offer there is a lot to see so get their early !
Of course being more spread out does have its advantages, no huge throngs of crowds to work your way through and there are plenty of refreshment points to top up with fuel to carry on the viewing :)
The accessory suppliers are around the edges of the halls with the manufacturers and dealers in the centre sections which made individual companies easier to locate in my opinion.
The exhibitor map was useful and well thumbed by the end of the day.
I am in the unusual position of being a "tri" role customer for the NEC as I attended as "press" and so was privvy to short briefings only held for press and at the same time I also run Motorhome Facts so I am looking at the show with my "MHF Member" eye out and finally as a trader for Outdoorbits I am looking to see if it would be worthwhile me having a trade stand at the show. In all the points I think Sam North (Nec Show Director) has suceeded, there were plenty of stands around for the consumers, enough factoids for my "press" hat and enough fellow traders around to bounce ideas off and ascertain that it would be worthy of having a face at the show. Maybe next year !
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