During the COVID-19 pandemic, Americans wanted to break that mold. They were trapped in their homes and apartment buildings for weeks. For many, a trip to a hotel and resort was out of the question. Enthusiasts went all out in vehicles that served not only as transportation, but also as residences.

Before the pandemic, Americans began to rediscover their love for nature. Recreational vehicle (RV) sales surged during the pandemic as the trend continued to grow.

A number of off-road vehicles have been launched, including the new Ford Bronco, the next-generation Range Rover and the electrified Jeep Wangler. The automotive industry has gone further and offered packages and experiences specifically for these customers.

Ford recognized and capitalized on these trends, refining its go-to-market strategies and refreshing products, increasing recreational vehicle options for van customers and introducing a new generation Transit with the all-electric E-Transit variant. More than half of the RVs sold in the U.S. are built on Ford chassis, the automaker said in 2021.

General Motors introduced the BrightDrop electric-only brand for last-mile commercial vehicle solutions in 2021, later moving it to GM’s Evolve fleet and committing to sell the models at Chevrolet dealers. Last year, EV upfitter Grounded introduced its G2 EV Camper van built on BrightDrop’s Zevo 600 platform.

In recent years, Mercedes-Benz killed its gasoline-powered Sprinter and Metris vans in the US and introduced the all-electric eSprinter van. The company is already preparing its next steps, launching Van.EA, a newly developed scalable architecture that will provide the backbone for the company’s delivery division moving forward.

These commercial vans and their limousine versions will compete with vans around the world, in addition to celebrity shuttles in the form of the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator and SUVs.

“By introducing advanced features such as all-wheel drive for off-road driving, versatile chassis options for tailoring and the all-electric eSprinter for sustainable urban mobility, Mercedes-Benz is meeting the needs of a diverse and growing customer base. , we don’t just follow the trend, we drive it forward. By combining innovative technologies, sustainable solutions and premium design, we are redefining what vans can offer – securing market leadership. premium van segment and sets new benchmarks for the industry,” he said.

With new charging stations popping up across the landscape of North American parks, such as the brand’s Joshua Tree and Yosemite’s Rivian depots, the transition to electronically powered off-roading and landing is easier and more affordable, and automakers are poised to capitalize on the evolution.