Salty Blue camper van maker files for insolvency amid plunging demand
Salty Blue GmbH, a camper van manufacturer based in Bargteheide, has filed for insolvency. The company, which thrived during the pandemic, now faces severe financial strain due to falling demand and soaring costs.
The business once benefited from a surge in interest during COVID-19. But demand for camper vans has dropped sharply, with industry sales down by 16.4 percent in 2024. Many manufacturers now struggle with oversupply and weak customer interest.
Component costs have also skyrocketed, rising by up to 200 percent in recent years. To keep operations running, Salty Blue is relying on advance payments from customers to fund essential parts. Despite these challenges, the company’s 18 employees remain committed, hoping for a recovery. The insolvency petition was officially submitted on December 17. Management has stated that production will continue while they search for financial solutions. Investors have also shown interest in long-term partnerships, suggesting some confidence in the brand’s future.
Salty Blue’s insolvency reflects wider struggles in the camper van sector. Rising costs and shrinking demand have pushed many businesses to the brink. The company’s next steps will depend on securing stable funding and restructuring its operations.
