Comments on: The trending Type A comeback http://www.rvtradedigest.com/interactive/2007/05/15/the-trending-type-a-comeback/ Welcome to RV Weekly where the editor of RV Trade Digest will be updating you on the latest news, trends, and products important to the RV industry. Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:36:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Bob Zagami http://www.rvtradedigest.com/interactive/2007/05/15/the-trending-type-a-comeback/#comment-1608 Bob Zagami Sat, 19 May 2007 13:10:15 +0000 http://www.rvtradedigest.com/interactive/2007/05/15/the-trending-type-a-comeback/#comment-1608 These numbers are impressive in another way. Although you speak of the technological advancements of the Workhorse UFO and Freightliner XCL chassis offerings, none of these figures reflect sales of motorhomes built on these two platforms. The UFO, which I test drove at FMCA, is just showing up on dealer's lots and the Freightliner was just introduced at the Winnebago Las Vegas dealer event. So there is even more room for optimism as these new platforms start to get another group of buyers excited about their features and technology improvements. The UFO is quite an achievement. With the gas engine in the rear of the coach, you have to look at the instrument panel to even know it is running. You can hear a pin drop with this configuration and will probably have to start listening to your co-pilot as you move on down the highway! You certainly will be able to hear everything he/she says, so you won't be able to blame the noise factor anymore. Heck, this could do wonders for RV marriages. We may also be seeing some pent up demand to trade in the old and get something new. We obviously had a lot of RVers sitting on the fence the past few years and holding on to units longer than they would like due to gas prices, the war, and the economy. We have accepted and adjusted to all three conditions and people are moving on with their lives. Traveling in a Type A motorhome is truly a great experience for all that they have to offer, and dealers should jump all over these numbers, post them in the showroom, send our direct mails and get on the phone with every customer they have that owns an RV and let them know that there are a lot of reasons to buy right now, and here's the proof to show to them. Roll on ..... These numbers are impressive in another way. Although you speak of the technological advancements of the Workhorse UFO and Freightliner XCL chassis offerings, none of these figures reflect sales of motorhomes built on these two platforms. The UFO, which I test drove at FMCA, is just showing up on dealer’s lots and the Freightliner was just introduced at the Winnebago Las Vegas dealer event.

So there is even more room for optimism as these new platforms start to get another group of buyers excited about their features and technology improvements.

The UFO is quite an achievement. With the gas engine in the rear of the coach, you have to look at the instrument panel to even know it is running. You can hear a pin drop with this configuration and will probably have to start listening to your co-pilot as you move on down the highway! You certainly will be able to hear everything he/she says, so you won’t be able to blame the noise factor anymore. Heck, this could do wonders for RV marriages.

We may also be seeing some pent up demand to trade in the old and get something new. We obviously had a lot of RVers sitting on the fence the past few years and holding on to units longer than they would like due to gas prices, the war, and the economy. We have accepted and adjusted to all three conditions and people are moving on with their lives.

Traveling in a Type A motorhome is truly a great experience for all that they have to offer, and dealers should jump all over these numbers, post them in the showroom, send our direct mails and get on the phone with every customer they have that owns an RV and let them know that there are a lot of reasons to buy right now, and here’s the proof to show to them.

Roll on …..

]]> By: Mark http://www.rvtradedigest.com/interactive/2007/05/15/the-trending-type-a-comeback/#comment-1606 Mark Wed, 16 May 2007 23:12:14 +0000 http://www.rvtradedigest.com/interactive/2007/05/15/the-trending-type-a-comeback/#comment-1606 Although Ralph may be a little off topic for Greg's fine article, I agree 110% with every point that Ralph makes. I would add that the Internet whores are not exclusively selling motor homes, by any means. The prices that new 5th wheels and travel trailers are being dumped at are just ridiculous!! I do disagree with the notion that radical new designs will trump $3.00- $4.00/ gallon fuel concerns with the retail purchasers. I truly hope I am wrong. Although Ralph may be a little off topic for Greg’s fine article, I agree 110% with every point that Ralph makes.

I would add that the Internet whores are not exclusively selling motor homes, by any means. The prices that new 5th wheels and travel trailers are being dumped at are just ridiculous!!

I do disagree with the notion that radical new designs will trump $3.00- $4.00/ gallon fuel concerns with the retail purchasers. I truly hope I am wrong.

]]> By: Ralph http://www.rvtradedigest.com/interactive/2007/05/15/the-trending-type-a-comeback/#comment-1604 Ralph Wed, 16 May 2007 13:54:02 +0000 http://www.rvtradedigest.com/interactive/2007/05/15/the-trending-type-a-comeback/#comment-1604 Most Motorhome Dealers have been in the business for many years and most started out small with towables and grew over the years to accomidate their customers request for larger units. Being a Motorhome Dealer in todays market is a risky business due to the fact of "internet dealers" coming out of the woodwork every where. These companies could care less of the customer and only want to make a quick buck and then send you off. They offer little no none for inventory,no service after the sale and no parts department. They tell you to call the manufacture if you have a service issue with your new coach and the manufacture will send them to a Full Servicing Dealer in their area. This Dealer has made no profit from the sale but is expected to service a customer he did not sell in order to please the manufacture and the customer. These manufactures who set up these internet dealers should be dropped by us Real RV Dealers who care about the customer and have been taking care of all customers for decades and will be here taking care of our customers for many years to come and are not just here to make a fast buck. If there is someone to blame for the decline in Motorhome Dealers lets point the finger at the manufacturer who sets up these "internet dealers" to gain market share and could care less about the dealer who has been selling their product for them for years and servicing the customer. Most Motorhome Dealers have been in the business for many years and most started out small with towables and grew over the years to accomidate their customers request for larger units. Being a Motorhome Dealer in todays market is a risky business due to the fact of “internet dealers”
coming out of the woodwork every where. These companies could care less of the customer and only want to make a quick buck and then send you off. They offer little no none for inventory,no service after the sale and no parts department. They tell you to call the manufacture if you have a service issue with your new coach and the manufacture will send them to a Full Servicing Dealer in their area. This Dealer has made no profit from the sale but is expected to service a customer he did not sell in order to please the manufacture and the customer. These manufactures who set up these internet dealers should be dropped by us Real RV Dealers who care about the customer and have been taking care of all customers for decades and will be here taking care of our customers for many years to come and are not just here to make a fast buck. If there is someone to blame for the decline in Motorhome Dealers lets point the finger at the manufacturer who sets up these “internet dealers” to gain market share and could care less about the dealer who has been selling their product for them for years and servicing the customer.

]]> By: Gene Seider http://www.rvtradedigest.com/interactive/2007/05/15/the-trending-type-a-comeback/#comment-1602 Gene Seider Tue, 15 May 2007 22:06:37 +0000 http://www.rvtradedigest.com/interactive/2007/05/15/the-trending-type-a-comeback/#comment-1602 Hello Greg, Good article.... However allow me to inject one other factor into the decline of large Motorhomes. When I look at the overall relative spending for large ticket items (RVs, expensive cars, large boats, etc.)one of the most decisive metrics is the amount of money available for discretionary spending. For example... Discretionary spending accelerated to a peak about ten years ago and began a gradual decline about three years ago. Much of discretionary spending came from retiring folks who decided to "sell the farm" and invest in a large Motorhome. Those retiring folks represented a segment of the economy that had worked hard and long and thus wanted a less strenuous life style. RVing was the answer for many. Many of us "old timers" came out of just that time span. I believe that what we are seeing now is the next segment of "retiring folks" who may not want to "sell the farm" as of now, but invest in a life style that brings both a relaxing and unwinding time, that is linked to an affordable investment. RVers like new and impressive things. Thus, the Rear-Engine Gas (REG) arrangement will begin to lead the sales for Class A units, if for no other reason that pure economics. I personally home that the diesel engine builders hear that "drum beat" and look at ways to reduce the cost of their products. It would also spur the sales of Class A units. Gene Hello Greg,

Good article…. However allow me to inject one other factor into the decline of large Motorhomes. When I look at the overall relative spending for large ticket items (RVs, expensive cars, large boats, etc.)one of the most decisive metrics is the amount of money available for discretionary spending. For example…

Discretionary spending accelerated to a peak about ten years ago and began a gradual decline about three years ago. Much of discretionary spending came from retiring folks who decided to “sell the farm” and invest in a large Motorhome. Those retiring folks represented a segment of the economy that had worked hard and long and thus wanted a less strenuous life style. RVing was the answer for many. Many of us “old timers” came out of just that time span.

I believe that what we are seeing now is the next segment of “retiring folks” who may not want to “sell the farm” as of now, but invest in a life style that brings both a relaxing and unwinding time, that is linked to an affordable investment.

RVers like new and impressive things. Thus, the Rear-Engine Gas (REG) arrangement will begin to lead the sales for Class A units, if for no other reason that pure economics. I personally home that the diesel engine builders hear that “drum beat” and look at ways to reduce the cost of their products. It would also spur the sales of Class A units.

Gene

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