Chinese recreational vehicle startup Starlight opened its flagship experience center in Beijing on Friday, unveiling strategic partnerships with leading players in manufacturing, rental, and travel services to meet growing demand for self-driving tourism.
According to a news article by China Daily, the company is joining forces with BAIC Foton, RV rental company Shanhaifu, and travel platform Fangchelvtu to create an integrated ecosystem that spans production, rental, campsite operations, and itinerary planning.
This move aligns with China’s broader initiative to stimulate domestic consumption and develop rural tourism.
“China has the world’s largest automotive market and rich geographic and cultural resources, but RV penetration remains just 0.02 percent, compared to over 10 percent in the US,” said Cong Linan, president of Starlight (Beijing) Automotive Technology.
“The bottleneck lies in fragmented industry chains and underdeveloped service systems,” Cong added.
To overcome these challenges, Starlight is co-developing its vehicles with Foton, using dedicated RV chassis that enhance driving stability and performance.
The lineup — Xingye, Xingyu, Xingtu, and Xingjue — serves various travel needs such as family outings and light off-road trips. All models can be operated with a Class C driving license, lowering entry barriers for more consumers.
The newly opened showroom departs from conventional auto display formats by recreating life-sized scenes from iconic Chinese travel destinations, including the Qinghai–Gansu loop in Northwest China and rainforest campsites in the Southwest. Visitors can immerse themselves in these experiences right in the heart of Beijing.
“This is not just a space for display,” said Cong. “It’s a portal into the travel life people are aspiring to — where your home moves with you.”
During the launch event, Starlight signed a 300 million yuan ($41.79 million) investment framework with the Moganshan High-Tech Zone in Zhejiang province to produce 10,000 RV upper-body units annually, covering both luxury and pickup-based formats.
In total, strategic agreements signed during the launch reached 3.02 billion yuan in intended investment.
“Starlight’s intelligent production line will integrate with our national campsite network,” said Zhou Zicheng, chairman of Shanhaifu.
“Together we’re opening a new chapter in China’s mobile lifestyle, building a five-dimensional model of RV travel: manufacturing, sales, rental, campsites, and curated routes,” Zhou added.
Zhou further emphasized the importance of combining vehicle intelligence with campsite-side digital systems.
“We are not just building a travel product, but enabling a travel lifestyle that connects people, vehicles, and nature seamlessly,” he said.
Starlight aims to sell 500 vehicles in 2025 and scale that number to 10,000 by 2027. Additionally, the company is targeting 500,000 daily rental bookings through its digital fleet platform.
Future plans include developing a proprietary intelligent RV chassis integrated with new energy technologies and assisted driving systems.
“Our goal is not just to build vehicles,” said Cong. “We want to reshape the perception of RVs — from niche toys to everyday living options for modern families.”
Starlight’s roadmap marks a turning point for China’s RV industry, paving the way for a smarter, more accessible, and lifestyle-focused travel market.