RVIA Seeking ‘Extra Mile’ Go RVing Donations

Editor’s Note: Gary Labella, vice president and chief marketing officer for the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA), sent out this memo this week to RVIA members. As the RV industry emerges from the economic downfall, the Go RVing campaign continues to build awareness and generate leads, in order to boost our recovery. The Ambassadors of Affordability campaign is delivering more than twice as many web visits as last year and leads have risen by 70%. Voluntary funding raised through... Read more

Coachmen Fifth-Wheel Plant ‘Green Certified’

Coachmen RV employers (from left) Mike Kennedy, supervisor, Nick Recchio, sales, and Bo Moore, plant manager, commemorate certification of the Coachmen fifth-wheel plant in Middlebury, Ind., as a "Green Capable" manufacturer. Coachmen RV’s fifth-wheel plant in Middlebury, Ind., has been certified as a “Green Capable” manufacturer and will soon display the TRA Certified Green label on its fifth-wheels. This plant produces the Chaparral, North Ridge and Brookstone fifth-wheel products.... Read more

Jayco Showcases ’11 Pinnacles and Skylarks

2011 Jayco Skylark When it comes to product, Jayco Inc. largely focused on two new 2011 lines during its Annual Dealer Homecoming last week (June 21-23) in the west Chicago suburbs: The Pinnacle luxury fifth-wheel and a smaller V-nose Skylark travel travel. Both are directed at product categories with proven track records, according to Director of Product Development Paul Gardner, who adds that Jayco has finetuned its product development format this year with the appointment of brand managers. “With... Read more

Scott Richgruber New MVP RV Sales Manager

Moreno Valley, Calif. – based MVP RV has announced the hiring of Scott Richgruber as their new sales manager for the Summit, Coast, and Envy product lines. Richgruber brings with him 16 years of RV experience, including sales positions with both Fleetwood and Forest River Inc. “Scott has the product knowledge and dealer relationships needed to help drive the core brands of our business” said Scott Degnan, MVP vice president of sales and marketing. “We are very fortunate to have someone... Read more

Tire Suit a Warning to RVers: Are Yours Safe?

A jury award against Goodyear in an failed RV tire lawsuit sends a renewed warning to RVers, according to a story posted by RV News Service. Do you know what kind of tires you’re RV is riding on? On Friday, June 25, a Pasco County Circuit Court jury returned a $5.6 million verdict against tire giant, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. for selling a defective tire that in the end, was found to have been responsible for serious injuries to three RVers. In August 2004, John Schalmo was driving his... Read more

Vancouver Olympics RV Park Plan Lost $70K

A controversial RV park created to accommodate visitors to the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia, not only failed to make a profit, it cost the park board $70,000, Global BC reported. Phyllis Tyers, president of the North West Point Grey Home Owners’ Association, said she and many of her neighbours were dreading the Olympics because of concerns regarding the RV camps. They were supposed to hold 300 vehicles at Spanish Banks and Jericho Beach, across the road from the residents’... Read more

Alliance Coach Flourishing at Ex-Monaco Site

Alliance Coach Inc., Wildwood, Fla., has become a full-service RV dealership. A sprawling RV service center in Wildwood, Fla., built in 2003 near the junction of I-75 and the Florida Turnpike by now-bankrupt Monaco Coach Corp., has become a full-service motorized and towable RV dealership. Alliance Coach Inc. opened in September under new ownership — 10 days after the 62,000-square-foot service center went on the auction block during Monaco Coach Corp’s. Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. ”When... Read more

SSI: Canada’s April Motorized Sales Up 22.4%

Retail sales of motorized RVs in Canada rose 22.4% in April, Statistical Surveys Inc. (SSI) has  reported. Class A sales recorded a 62.5% increase for the month, while Class C sales were off 32.8%. The Canadian market for motorized RVs is a fraction of the U.S. market: April motorhome  sales in Canada did not exceed 200 units. Year-to-date, Class A sales are up 37.1% and Class C sales are off 10.3%. To subscribe to this or other SSI reports, contact Scott Stropkai, national sales  manager for... Read more

Elkhart Economic Base Diversifying Past RVs

To see a video from WNDU-TV, South Bend, Ind., about the following story, click here. If all of Elkhart’s “eggs” were in the RV basket, then the city is now spreading them into “other baskets.” While the RV industry remains an important part of Elkhart’s economy, other businesses are settling and expending as well. “Elkhart is certainly known for RVs. We will remain the RV capital of the world. But we are certainly looking to diversify. Certainly looking toward using our strategic... Read more

IDS Debuts New Dealer Management Software

Integrated Dealer Systems (IDS), a provider of dealership management software for RV, marine and boat dealers, recently announced the launch of Astra G2 (Generation 2). Astra G2 will deliver a new user experience, making it easier for dealers to manage key elements of their dealership with the software, according to a news release. This new version of the Astra dealership management software includes an intuitive visual navigation and visual representation of data. “By displaying key metrics... Read more

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