WSJ Columnist: Hope for SUV and Pickup Fans

Editor’s Note: The following column by writer Joseph B. White appeared in Tuesday’s Wall Street Journal. Can auto makers boost the overall fuel economy of American cars and trucks by 40% in seven years without forcing everyone into a Smart ForTwo? They’ve done it before and should be able to do it again, but it could be a bumpy transition. Between 1975 and 1987, the average fuel efficiency of American cars and trucks improved by nearly 68%, according to the Environmental Protection... Read more

Jellystone Parks Mark 40th Anniversary With Contest

The Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park franchise is celebrating its 40th anniversary by hosting a video contest for campers to capture how they have fun at Jellystone Park. The grand prize is $10,000. “Our mission is to foster a fun family experience that creates lasting memories,” said Michele Wisher, director of marketing for Leisure Systems  Inc., the franchisor of Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts. “We’re excited to see how our  campers enjoy our parks and to share that enthusiasm... Read more

Defense Spending Aids Elkhart Area Economy

Unlucky in so many ways in this recession, the Elkhart, Ind., area is fortunate in being able to rely on a continued flow of Pentagon money to build Humvees at AM General’s plant in nearby Mishawaka, 10 minutes down the road from Elkhart. Workers at the Mishawaka facility, which employs more than 1,500 workers, know they have it good – especially compared to their friends and family members who have lost jobs at recreational vehicle plants nearby, according to msnbc.com, which is doing... Read more

Bucars RV Offers Free Fuel in New Referral Program

Bucars RV Centre, a leading RV dealership near Calgary, Alberta, has launched a new referral program that offers everyone an opportunity to earn free fuel. The Bucars RV Centre Referral Rewards Program allows anyone an opportunity to make an unlimited number of referrals to Bucars. If a referral makes an RV purchase from Bucars, both parties get free fuel. The referring person could earn $350 while the referral who bought the RV could earn as much as $1,000, depending on the RV they purchase, according... Read more

Motley Fool Now Bullish on Spartan Motors Inc.

The Motley Fool, not one to avoid being viciously negative on occasion and sometimes in a flippant sort of way, sounded somewhat bullish recently on Spartan Motors Inc., a chassis supplier to the RV industry. “More top-performing CAPS (community stock research) members have been feeling bullish about Spartan Motors these days, enough to upgrade it from its long-held four-star rank to a more formidable five stars, though it has since dropped back down to four,” the Fool columnists... Read more

Ruling May End 12-Year-Old RV Parking Battle

The staff of the California Coastal Commission has recommended that the agency approve permit parking zones in five areas near Venice beach, delighting residents aggravated by the constant presence of recreational vehicles and provoking anger from public access and homeless advocates, according to the Los Angeles Times. If the so-called overnight parking districts are approved in June, it would mark the end of a 12-year battle by residents, said Mark Ryavec, a Venice activist. “This is a struggle... Read more

Economists See Recession Ending in 3rd Qtr.

More than 90% of economists predict the recession will end this year, although the recovery is likely to be bumpy, according to the Associated Press. That assessment came from leading forecasters in a survey by the National Association for Business Economics (NABE) to be released today (May 27). It is generally in line with the outlook from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and his colleagues. About 74% of the forecasters expect the recession — which started in December 2007 and is the... Read more

RVers Deter Summer Vandalism at Anchorage School

The Anchorage School District says vandalism is a problem in the summer months, but this year it has two sets of eyes to keep vandals out, according to KTUU-TV, Anchorage. Schools installed more cameras in parking lots, but extra help is literally rolling in. Local schools asked campers heading to Anchorage to stay in school parking lots. Sarah Hanley says since the school district started its RV program — which puts campers at the schools in the summer — she feels the playground is... Read more

RVIA: Wholesale Deliveries Down 57.6% in April

Wholesale deliveries of RVs to retailers in April remained well off the 2008 pace but showed some improvement over March, the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) reported today (May 26). April shipments totaled 13,300 units, compared with 31,400 units in April 2008, or a 57.6% decline, RVIA noted. Towable shipments totaled 12,300, compared with 27,400 in April 2008, while motorized shipments totaled 1,000 units compared with 4,000 in April 2008. Meanwhile, wholesale deliveries of towable... Read more

Hoosier Hybrid Vehicle Firm Sets Up Contact Process

Electric Motors Corp., which intends to open factories in Wakarusa and Nappanee, Ind., to build electric vehicles, is accepting job inquiries. The company has set up e-mail addresses to receive inquiries concerning employment, partnership opportunities and service company opportunities, according to The Goshen (Ind.) News.  The company is in the engineering and set-up phase of its operations and company officials said the e-mail addresses will ensure everyone interested in the company will receive... Read more

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