RV Weekly

On Feb. 4 RV Trade Digest posted a blog entitled “When is enough, enough?” about how RV dealers can maintain accessory items in their stores.

Colin Iwasa, of Yamaha Motor Corp. offered several points about reduced inventory and generator sales shifts from RV dealerships to motorsport channels.

Due to the responses RV Trade Digest received Colin has put together some new points to assist dealers:

“It’s true that many consumers think of Yamaha’s motorsport dealers as the place to buy Yamaha generators. Until recently, RV dealers were selling nearly as many Yamaha generators as our motorsport network was selling.

Yamaha’s sales in 2008 were just shy of our 2007 sales. The difference is that the sales have shifted from the RV channel to the motorsports channel. I’m sure there are several factors driving this shift, but what really stood out has been the reduced inventory in RV dealers. With that said my point is to suggest that dealers dust off their ‘lost sales tracking systems.’

Most dealers are reducing inventory and making cuts to adjust to this slow economy but don’t throw the baby out with the bath water. I would not, could not, suggest that dealers need to be stocking more Yamaha generators; I won’t suggest that Yamaha generators are right for every RV dealer. I am saying that in your effort to go lean and mean, don’t go so lean that your customers leave you to get the products they want.

Pay attention to your lost sales tracking system. Lost sales tracking systems should help dealers keep the right inventory to keep the customer in the store.

Ask the manufacturer’s and distributor’s sales rep what’s moving and what’s not moving in your market area and in your customer segment. Use them as part of your tools to prevent lost sales and keep proper inventory.

Distributors are very good for replenishing stock, distributors are good for giving dealers market view and vision. Use them for what they’re designed for. They’re not designed to be your inventory.

In conclusion dust off your lost sales tracking system and good luck.”

If you wish to speak with Colin Iwasa his contact is below:

Colin Iwasa
Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A.
Power Equipment Division
6555 Katella Ave.
PO Box 6555
Cypress, CA. 90630
714-761-7392
colin_iwasa@yamaha-motor.com

For the last month RV Trade Digest has been reporting the news of the three manufacturers that have filed bankruptcy due to the current economic hardships.

Monaco Coach, Fleetwood and Country Coach all began the bankruptcy process in March, and the industry watched as plant after plant closed. We also watched as hundreds of RV workers were laid off.

However, the tides have turned and these companies seem to be restructuring their business plans relatively quickly.

Country Coach is in the process of working out a deal with Wells Fargo to resume production, and that plan was signed off on by a federal judge on March 30. However, Country Coach’s new business plan would sell directly to consumers instead of using a dealer network.

Monaco Coach’s assets may be purchased for $50 million by Illinois-based Navistar; yet analysts say the deal could take longer than anticipated.

Fleetwood’s CEO announced this week that they are continuing operations while seeking a potential buyer.

Could this be the turn-around the RV industry needs right now? Will Navistar, Wells Fargo and the potential buyer for Fleetwood help save these companies?

I would like to hear what industry professionals have to say about what is happening with these manufacturers.

*Editor’s Note* Please keep your comments constructive and refrain from “bashing.”

By: Nikki Becker

As I’m sure many of you know, RV Trade Digest, has joined two social networks: Facebook and Twitter. I have taken on the role of running our Facebook profile. Since the launch of our Facebook page we have become friends with many industry people.

Some utilize Facebook to keep in contact with other industry professionals or friends and some utilize it for business purposes!

A New Jersey dealership is using Facebook to help drive sales and get its name out there to prospects as well as existing customers!

One of the things that inspired me to write this blog is how this dealership utilized the photo album application, a standard feature of Facebook, to promote its rental units.

So far I have seen them use different albums to feature the different rental units available. Each unit has their own album full of different pictures of the exterior and interior of the unit with the title of the photo album describing the unit a bit.

One example they list is entitled: “Brand New Rental 2009 Class C 31′ with Slide” and it has a short description which reads: “Brand New 2009 Coachmen Freelander 1315 with a Queen Bed and Super Slideout.”

They’re also using the photo album application to share photos of their current inventory specials. These photos are typical exterior shots like you would show on your own Web site or an online classified site.

Using Facebook profiles or “fan pages” is one great way to advertise your dealership and/or small business. However, Facebook also offers traditional advertising.

Facebook can be used to get in front of numerous targeted audiences that could be beneficial to a local business. When going to the advertising page on Facebook, you can create your very own ad. The ad allows 25 characters for a title, 135 characters for ad copy and an image.

You then can choose how to target your ad. You can first target by location and then target by key words. For example, your target could be prospects within 50 miles of Madison, Wis., who have interests in outdoors, outdoor activities, camping, RV, etc. You can also target by age, education status, and other categories.

When looking at cost, you can set a daily budget of what you want to spend and you can choose to pay per impression or pay per click. Once that is decided you bid on the amount you want to pay per impression/click.

Now more than ever there are different opportunities for dealers to get their name in front of potential buyers.

What are some of the different things you have done to “think outside of the box?”

RV Trade Digest is pleased to present its Tech Talk forum.

The technician forums are exclusively for use by working RV technicians, RV service/parts managers and RV manufacturer/supplier employees who work with technicians to resolve repair issues.

Repairing RVs should only be done by trained and certified RV technicians at an authorized RV repair facility. Consumers are encouraged to find their nearest RV repair facility for help with RV repairs.

Registration to this forum is free! We do insist that you abide by the rules and policies detailed below.

To be allowed to participate in the forum technicians must be employed at an RV related company and work in some technical capacity related to the construction, repair and servicing of RVs, their internal systems or aftermarket products associated with the use of RVs.

If you are an RV technician and would like to participate in the forum please go to www.rvtradedigest.com/forums and register.

Your registration must be approved by an administrator before you will be allowed to view the forum. Also, all post or comments made in the forum need approval before they are displayed in the forums.

To protect the technicians there are three rules that must be followed:

1. Participants CANNOT talk about money: that means salaries and compensation, flat rates, warranty payments, or labor rates charged to the consumer, etc.

2. Please DO NOT put self-identifying information in your posts such as e-mail or phone numbers anywhere in your post.

3. Be nice. Participate by offering your opinion and technical advice without degrading companies or people in the forum.

The forum will be administered by Master Certified RV Technician Gary Motley, who operates Motley RV Repair.

If you have trouble getting registered, posting or using the forum please feel free to contact the editorial staff of RV Trade Digest by e-mailing editor@rvtradedigest.com

Should you lose your username or password, you can also e-mail the editorial staff and someone will resend that information to the e-mail used to register for the forum.

As a reporter for the RV industry it is my job to help bring relevant news to our readers.

Sadly, in the last two weeks we have seen an abundance of news stories about RV manufacturers filing bankruptcy, numerous RV dealer thefts and plant closings.

I am here to say that this industry needs some good news, and fast.

So, if your dealership, plant, company or firm has any positive news stories I encourage you to send those to RV Trade Digest for publication consideration.

If you would like to share some encouraging comments or stories please feel free to contact any of the RV Trade Digest staff members. Our contact is on www.rvtradedigest.com

If you wish to submit a press release to the editorial staff please e-mail materials to editor@rvtradedigest.com.

RV Trade Digest will continue to report all RV related news (both good and bad).