Hjälmare canal, electric vehicles and newborn giraffe baby

It was Monday again! Holidays mean definitely fewer press releases than usual, but we've scoured the small pile and picked up some travel news that might be of interest. Stay tuned!

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New motorhome registrations on the rise

New registrations of motorhomes remain strong, increasing by 37 per cent in July compared to the same month a year ago. For the year as a whole, motorhomes are on a par with the same period a year ago. New registrations of caravans started the year weakly but have now started to recover some of the decline.

• Caravan registrations for July 2024: 219 caravans (Corresponding month last year: 231 caravans.)
• Motorhome registrations for July 2024: 403 motorhomes (Corresponding month last year: 294 motorhomes.)

Polar's 61st year - presenting the news of 2025

Polar enters its 61st year as a caravan manufacturer with greater confidence and a great deal of trust, presenting the innovations of 2025. This year sees the launch of Chimera by Polar, which comes in two sizes (590 and 730) and features unique layouts. Other news means that all series will be new and will be divided into three lines: Blueline, Blackline and Chimera, with each line offering its own level of equipment, possible layouts and range of interior and exterior options.

Göta Canal Company acquires Hjälmare Canal

AB Göta kanalbolag, owned by the Swedish state, recently announced the acquisition of Hjälmare kanal AB from Sveaskog AB. The Hjälmare Canal, Sweden's oldest canal that is still navigable, is an important water link between Hjälmaren and Mälaren. The takeover is planned for the turn of the year 2024-2025. About Hjälmare Canal:

• The canal was originally created for the transport of iron, grain and timber by sea between Lake Hjälmaren and Lake Mälaren.
• The canal is mainly used by recreational boats, but during the summer it is also used by regular passenger boats.
• The canal has nine hand-operated locks and is 13,700 metres long in total, of which 8,500 metres is a dug canal.
• The oldest parts of the canal date from the 17th century, and the newer parts were built in the early 19th century.

BYD and Uber partner to accelerate transition to electric vehicles

BYD, the world's leading manufacturer of plug-in vehicles, announces a multi-year partnership with Uber. By working together, the two companies aim to lower the total cost of ownership of electric vehicles for Uber drivers, accelerate the transition to electric vehicles on the Uber platform globally, and introduce millions of travellers to greener transportation options.

Giraffe baby born at Kolmården

Just over a week ago, a small giraffe calf saw the light of day at Kolmården Zoo. On the morning of Saturday 20 July, mum Manilla gave birth to a "little" male giraffe weighing just over 60 kilos and measuring around 170 cm. The little calf, named Mostafa, is doing well and can already be seen wandering around Kolmården with mum Manilla.

Reflection of the week

We have travelled along several canals in Sweden, but we haven't had time to discover the Hjälmare Canal. It sounds interesting! And wow, what a cute baby giraffe!!!

Did you miss the last travel news? Read the Åland, festivals and so many missing travelling companions

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