Chinese space-capsule caravan heading down under

American start-up Lightship has already brought its caravan of the future vision to reality.

But now there's a new 'space capsule caravan' rival on the horizon, with Skydream RV recently making its global debut at the 2025 Caravan Salon in Dusseldorf, Germany.

And the big news (although it's unlikely to be cheap) is that there are plans to sell the production versions in Australia, possibly as early as next year...

The futuristic Skydream caravan is the latest venture of Chongqing Innovation Technology Co, a Chinese smart energy and technology business, and the Dusseldorf display included two pre-production versions of its first eye-catching 'energy smart' caravan.

Judging by the imagery the Skydream 'van shares a similar air-splitting, slick fibreglass look with the $385,000 Lightship AE.1 Cosmos Edition all-electric travel trailer, while Skydream RV is promising similar cutting-edge technology and performance.

It said it's taken inspiration for its new model from "mature research and manufacturing experience from Europe and the United States".

However, it's planning to take it up a notch or two, with Skydream planning to offer a raft of "new energy and intelligent driving technologies already applied to the passenger vehicle".

"The company is collaborating with global users to create an entirely new breed of caravan — an intelligent, mobile and flexible living space that can be placed anywhere," it said in an online press release.

According to the Skydream website, the 8.1m long x 2.3m wide x 2.863m high, tandem-axle 'van will weigh around 2900kg, and boasts a "world leading caravan skateboard chassis" with dual motors and twin LFP batteries (up to 85kWh), fed by up to 2200W rooftop solar. It will also feature reverse EV charging functionality.

As well as electronic stability control, the Skydream will also be packed with RV industry-first tech like regenerative braking, traction and hill start assist and active steering assist -- all features adopted from the EV passenger car industry.

While other 'smart' caravan technology will include 'one-touch' hitching and unhitching, automatic valet parking, driving assistance and a sentry mode with panoramic safety monitoring while camping.

It's also promising the latest 'smart home' technology.

"Traditional caravans are cluttered with remote controls and keys, while Skydream is equipped with the intelligent control system, allowing users to control lighting, door locks, air conditioning, and other equipment via voice commands, mobile app, etc," the company said.

A super-slick and ultra-modern layout includes a front bedroom, central kitchen and bathroom and a rear lounge/dinette that converts to another bed, while 'next-level' interior innovation includes automatic blinds, a zero-gravity electric bed, and 'smart' cabinetry design.

Skydream says it's planning to launch pre-sales in the first half of 2026, with launch markets including Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and North America.

The Chinese start-up says it has "coordinated manufacturing bases in China and Australia" and has "hired technical experts from top global RV enterprises in Australia, North America, Europe, and other regions".

Pricing is yet to be announced but like other Chinese built 'vans, we expect it to undercut the competition, including the American built, AUD$385K Lightship and AUD$400K-plus Living Edge.

Related: $385,000 all-electric Lightship caravan enters production