TMC Sees 40% Increase in Sales at Tampa Show

Thor Motor Coach (TMC) showcased a host of new motorhomes and features at the Jan. 10-15 Florida RV SuperShow in Tampa, providing a strong kickoff for the 2012 show circuit as the Elkhart, Ind.-based builder reported a 40% increase in retail sales compared to last year’s show.

“The Florida Super Show always gives us some indication of how the spring show season will go and it looks like it’s going to be a great year. The consumer reaction to our 2012 line-up was very positive,” Dana Simon, vice president of sales and marketing, said in a press release.

TMC said that the all-new 2013 Palazzo rear diesel “stole the show,” drawing crowds throughout the event. The industry received its first look at the Palazzo when it was unveiled in November at the RV National Trade show in Louisville, Ky. The Palazzo’s compact low-profile design makes it easy to drive while providing the amenities a premium motorhome shopper expects – as well as several they might not, according to TMC.

“The Palazzo, like the A.C.E., is a game changer creating a new segment in the market – attracting many buyers who thought a full-featured rear diesel coach was out of reach. While talking with new potential Palazzo owners at the show, it was clear the market has been waiting for this coach,” stated Adam Gudger, national sales manager for the Thor Motor Coach’s diesel division.

The A.C.E. continues its success as a crossover Class A motorhome. Recent additions include the 29.2 and all-new 30.1 floorplans. The 30-foot, 10 inch 30.1 model adds a second slideout, larger shower and more bedroom storage, in addition to the already well-equipped offerings of the entire A.C.E. lineup.

Making its debut, the 45-foot, 450-hp tag axle 45LT Tuscany also was well received. The 45LT offers a full-wall slide, expandable sofa, half bath with washer dryer option, dual vanity master bath, fireplace, and Sony electronics at a price point far less than its competitors.

For more information on Thor Motor Coach motorhomes, call (800)860-5658, or visit http://ThorMotorCoach.com.

 

 

Exhibitors Offer Upbeat Reviews of FRVTA Show

In the wake of last week’s 2012 Florida RV SuperShow, which set a new record for attendance, several exhibitors offered upbeat comments about sales and the general mood of buyers.

The following is a collection of quotes assembled by the host Florida RV Trade Association (FRVTA) and Jay Perrett of RVM Promotions that confirm the event was one of the best shows in a number of years.

• “The crowds are bigger and more engaging than the past few years. We are selling a lot of product,” said Gary Conley of Lance Camper Manufacturing Corp.

• “It’s been a dynamite show. Better than last year. Traffic has been great and it’s obvious there is pent-up demand. People are ready to buy. Today (Saturday) has been a record day,” said Ryan Hollan, from Camping World.

• “Fantastic show. The rain and cooler weather did not keep people away the first few days. Best show I’ve been to in 25 years,” said Starcraft Inc.’s Troy O’Leary.

• “We’re having a great show. There are a lot of buyers out here. Better than last year; people are very optimistic. You can see that the economy is improving,” said T.R Fulk of Bates RV.

• “We have tripled our sales compared with last year. Wednesday and Thursday the traffic was average, but people came to buy. The snowbirds and full-timers are here trading up their older units,” said Jon Sare of Forest River Inc.

• “The smaller, lightweight units have been our best sellers. We are working lots of deals. There are a lot more families out here today looking at bunkhouses. It’s 4 p.m. and I’m just having lunch,” said George Grimm, of Campers Inn Fruitland Park.

• “We had a lot of serious buyers early on Wednesday that wanted to get an early start picking out their new unit. We have been extremely busy Friday and Saturday,” said Tim Garner of Airstream Inc. as 100-plus shoppers were looking at units in the Bates RV display.

• “This year’s show has been wonderful. The buyers are here this week. Traffic and sales are much improved over last year. Lightweight trailers with bunks have been our best sellers,” said Sam Hunter, of Arrow RV.

• “Great show. We have more than doubled our sales from last year,” said Matt Grimes, of Evergreen Recreational Vehicles LLC.

 

Tampa Show Sets Record, Good Sign for Industry

The 2012 Florida RV SuperShow set a new record of over 54,000 attendees over the five public days of the show, which ran Jan. 11-15 at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. According to the host Florida RV Trade Association (FRVTA), the total is approximately 900 more people than attended the show in 2011.

“Even with a little rain on opening day, the last four days were dry and unseasonably warm. If we had to have rain, early in the week is always preferable,” said FRVTA Marketing Director Dave Kelly in a press release. “I think a lot of people wanted to get out and stretch their legs and see the new RVs.”

Dealers and manufacturers reported excellent sales, which usually is a precursor to the entire RV industry nationwide. While many of the attendees were retirees, the weekend brought out lots of families and they were interested in more than just window shopping. Low interest rates and a great selection of “entry level” priced RVs combined to create a successful show for just about all exhibitors.

“We are seeing three to four years of pent-up demand for RVs finally opening up,” said FRVTA Executive Director Lance Wilson. “Americans will only wait so long for things that they really want, and it appears they want RVs right now.”

Booth exhibitors also reported great sales and many were running out of brochures and products early in the week. Camping World’s store was constantly packed and restocking went on well into the night each day of the show.

“We heard families saying they have been waiting to buy an RV for years and their kids were not getting any younger, and older couples have been patient and they thought the time was right,” said Kelly. “The media was also very positive and very anxious to see what was going on in the RV industry. They recognize that RV sales are a leading indicator of the entire economy and that point was made in a few of the TV interviews.”

The dates for the 2013 Florida RV SuperShow are Tuesday, January 15th (Industry Day) and Wednesday, January 16 through Sunday, January 20 (Public Days). For more information contact the FRVTA at (813) 741-0488 or www.frvta.org.

 

VIDEO #2: Liberty Coach Featured at Tampa Show

Today’s video comes from the Florida RV SuperShow featuring an interview by ABC Action News, Tampa,  with Frank Konigseder, co-owner and vice president of luxury motorcoach builder Liberty Coach.

Site Offers ‘Daily Deals’ For RV-Related Products

Representatives from www.RVDailyDeals.com launch its “Daily Deal” platform today (Jan 13) during the Florida RV SuperShow in Florida.

According to a press release, the new online platform will connect RVers with products they want at steeply discounted prices.

The company said that a recent consumer survey completed by BowStern, an integrated marketing firm specializing in the RV industry, showed 46% of the RV community is already using some form of daily deal platform such as GROUPON or Living Social, but none specific to the RV industry. The online survey was completed during the fourth quarter of 2011 by 680 RVers. The full report will be available through BowStern in the coming weeks.

“We’re seeing significant growth with deal-based programs across the country. Our online platform opens up an entirely new world of savings, specifically for the niche RV community,” said founder Tom Derzypolski. “We spent the past several months developing the software and building a platform that will give the consumer an opportunity to easily purchase products at steeply discounted prices while allowing unprecedented exposure for companies worldwide.”

RV Daily Deals will feature both national and regional products. Consumers can receive the RV Daily Deals by signing up at www.RVDailyDeals.com.

 

FRVTA Readies for 27th Annual RV SuperShow

“This is a great opportunity for all RV Industry personnel here in Florida or anyone in the industry spending the winter in the state,” said FRVTA Executive Director Lance Wilson. “If you didn’t have the chance to take your staff to the Louisville Show, this is an inexpensive way to expose your entire crew to all the new products and RVs available for 2012.”

Industry Day will include free coffee and donuts in the morning and a free lunch for all attendees. Registration forms can be found on the FRVTA website.

For more information on the 2012 Florida RV SuperShow contact the Florida RV Trade Association at 10510 Gibsonton Drive, Riverview, FL 33578, (813) 741-0488, or visit our web-site at www.frvta.org.

 

 

Space Drawing Held for Florida RV SuperShow

The Florida RV Trade Association (FRVTA) held the space drawing for the 2012 Florida RV SuperShow on Aug. 2-3, according to a press release.

Conducted in the organization’s Riverview, Fla., office via phone and Internet, manufacturers drew approximately 10% more space for the 2012 show versus the 2011 show drawing. FRVTA said the “grandfathered drawing order” determined the order in which space was selected.

“We want to thank all our manufacturer members for their continued support,” said FRVTA Executive Director Lance Wilson. “The SuperShow, as well as all our regional shows, provide our manufacturers and dealers with excellent opportunities to display their new products all over Florida. With a record attendance in 2011 of over 53,000, we are expecting the 2012 SuperShow to be even bigger and better than ever.”

The theme of January’s show, to be held at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, is “Take Another Look!” The theme “emphasizes the fact that RVs have changed so much over the last few years that people need to revisit RVing as a vacation option.” FRVTA said it is also an invitation to discover what so many people have already found out: that RVs offer freedom, flexibility and fun not found in any other activity.

Industry Day is set for Jan. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Attendees will be treated to coffee and donuts in the morning and a free lunch. Public Days will run Jan. 11-15. The RV SuperShow hours are Wednesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m, and Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday is Senior Citizens Day with seniors receiving $1 off the cost of admission (not valid with other discounts).

For more information on the 2012 Florida RV SuperShow or to register for Industry Day, contact FRVTA at 10510 Gibsonton Drive, Riverview, Florida 33578 or visit the web-site at www.frvta.org.

 

FRVTA Sets Space Drawing for SuperShow

The Florida RV Trade Association (FRVTA) will hold the space drawing Aug. 2-4 for the mid-January 2012 Florida RV SuperShow, according to a news release.

FRVTA said that each manufacturer that has returned their contract with a deposit will be called during the drawing to pick a space in the show. The “Grandfathered Drawing Order” will determine the order in which space is selected.

The theme of the 2012 Florida RV SuperShow is “Take Another Look!” The FRVTA said it emphasizes that “people who haven’t been in an RV lately will be shocked to see all the new technology and comforts of today’s RVs.”

Industry Day for the show will be held Jan. 10 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Attendees will be treated to coffee and donuts in the morning and a free lunch. Public Days will run Jan. Jan. 11-15. The RV SuperShow hours are Wednesday-Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sunday 9 a.m.-5p.m. Wednesday is Senior Citizens Day with seniors receiving $1 off the cost of admission (not valid with other discounts).

For more information on the 2012 Florida RV SuperShow or to register for Industry Day, contact the Florida RV Trade Association at 10510 Gibsonton Drive, Riverview, FL, 33578 or visit our website at www.frvta.org.

New Fleetwood Models Do Well in Tampa

Fleetwood RV Inc. said its latest models and products, including its 2011 Class A diesel models and the brand new 2011 Tioga DSL Class C diesel models, were well-received by consumers attending the Florida RV SuperShow in Tampa, Fla. The show, which ran from  Jan. 12-16, had over 50,000 people cross the gates.

“A key component of our product development process is dealer and customer feedback, which helps us ensure that the products that we bring to market include the features they want,” Lenny Razo, national sales manager for Fleetwood RV’s Class A diesel product line, stated in a news release. “We are very pleased with the consumer reaction to our 2011 diesel models in Tampa and the tone it sets for the rest of the retail show season.”

Some of Fleetwood’s brand new 2011 models included the Class A diesel 36-foot Discovery and the Tioga DSL Class C diesel motorhome.

“Response to the Tioga DSL as well as the value-priced Tioga Ranger DSL, at the Tampa SuperShow was overwhelmingly positive,” said Mark Inkrote, national sales manager for Fleetwood RV’s Class C diesel product line. “These products went from concept to retail delivery in just four months. They really are a great example of how our organization can meet consumer demand quickly and accurately.”

For more information about Fleetwood RV and its full-line of Class A and Class C recreational vehicles, call (800) 322-8216 or visit www.fleetwoodrv.com.

MCD Innovations Lauds Tampa Show Gains

MCD Innovations posted record sales at the Florida RV SuperShow in Tampa, Fla., last week, an indication of the public’s willingness to spend money on RV products again and increased consumer confidence in a renewed economy, according to a news release.

“The individuals I talked to were very interested in upgrading their current RVs with the American Duo Shade System,” said Peggy Grich, a company spokeswoman. “In addition, a number of people told me that they were purchasing new motorhomes and were planning to insist that MCD shades be included in their interior package.”

Grich also noted that many of the new RVs on display at the show already featured MCD shades that were installed during build at the factory, including Winnebago, Foretravel, Kibbi-Renegade, Newmar, Tiffin, Carriage, NuWay, Born Free, Newell, Excel, New Horizons, Fleetwood and Monaco.

“The fact that so many new RVs come equipped with MCD shades from the factories certainly generated increased interest among participants. Many of those I visited with came to the MCD booth because they saw them in the new coaches, Class B’s and C’s and fifth-wheels,” said Grich. “We’re happy to see the RV industry turn around and are looking forward to a more healthy economy that allows the public to feel good about improving their lifestyles.”

MCD Innovations has been engineering and producing an array of sun protection products since 2003 in a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in McKinney, Texas. The company supplies a wide range of innovative products including solar screens, wheel covers, vent/fan covers, skylight covers and mirror bras and covers to numerous RV OEMs, an ever-growing number of dealers and RV owners throughout the U.S. and Canada. MCD has also expanded into the commercial and residential markets with shade systems as well as merchandising shade products.

For information, visit www.mcdinnovations.com or call (800) 804-1757.

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