Luxury Coach Maker Seeing 25% ’10 Upturn

Frank Konigseder of Stuart, Fla., makes and sells million-dollar Liberty Coach motorhomes.

And he thinks he will sell more this year than he did last year, the Palm Beach Post reported.

Liberty Coach is a family-owned luxury motorcoach manufacturer that was founded in 1968 by Konigseder and his wife, Jeanne. Simply put: They wanted to build a better RV.

New Liberty Coach motorhomes cost from $1.95 million to $2.2 million. Used ones go for $350,000 to $1.6 million.

The couple’s first project was the renovation of a Greyhound bus with 2.5 million miles on it.

After decades of partnerships with coach makers, Liberty Coach launched its own plant in North Chicago, Ill.

In 2001, Liberty Coach opened its sales dealership in Stuart. The Konigseders chose the location to cater to its strongest customer base. Today, Liberty Coach is owned by the couple and their two sons, Kurt and Frank X. Konigseder.

Frank X. Konigseder estimates that “80% of the customer base is east of the Mississippi River. And most of these people will transition through the Southeast and come through Florida.”

Liberty’s manufacturing plant in Illinois has 84 employees, and its dealership in Stuart has 18 employees. At its peak, the manufacturing plant had 125 employees.

Even though the economic downturn is the company’s biggest challenge, Liberty Coach reports increased sales in both new and used motorcoaches ordered for 2010.

With a total of seven new coaches sold this year, the company projects a total of 16 will sell by the end of 2010, up from 12 last year. The company also refurbishes and sells used coaches; 30 have sold this year.

Konigseder attributes the increase to people getting over “the shock of the economic recession.” People are “feeling better about the general economy … and have adjusted their lives” to the economy.

With other competitors in the market, why buy a Liberty Coach motorhome?

Remote control and computer systems make the management of the motorcoach as simple as driving it. The Crestron remote control system resembles a small television screen. The touch screen can dim the interior lights, control audio and video systems and raise and lower the blinds.

The interior of Liberty Coach motorhomes includes hand-crafted wood moldings and cabinetry, marble countertops and tufted sofas.

And the luxury extends to customer service. Each buyer gets Frank X. Konigseder’s home and cellphone numbers.

Louie Bob and Jo Ann Davis, from central Texas, have bought two Liberty Coach motorhomes. Bob describes his experience with Liberty Coach as “wonderful” and believes the company’s “workmanship is top-notch.”

Liberty Coach’s goal is to promote a lifestyle of first-class motor travel. It hosts an annual rally in Stuart the week of the Super Bowl.

“When you own a coach,” Jo Ann Davis said, “the friends you meet and make are really friends forever.”

Liberty Coach Reports Increase in ’10 Production

Liberty Coach, a family-owned and operated luxury motor coach manufacturer, has reported increased sales in both new and used motor coaches ordered for 2010.

Having sold a new triple-slide coach just this past Saturday (May 8) for a total of seven new coaches sold so far this year, the company projects a total of 16 will sell by the end of 2010, up from 12 last year. With coaches selling for upwards of $1.8 million, this is a significant increase that co-owner Frank Konigseder attributes to a strengthening economy, according to a news release.

“Sales for used coaches are up as well,” Konigseder reported. “And our employment has increased by 30-plus people from 2009 levels.”

According to the company, a custom motor coach by Liberty Coach rivals any luxury home with its completely integrated onboard navigation systems and other electronics. Liberty Coach also provides unparalleled customer support to its clientele, bringing its 53-foot service vehicle and support staff to major shows and rallies that take place across the country year-round.

Known for incorporating state-of-the-art luxury appointments and the latest technology for optimal safety, performance and environmental responsibility, Liberty Coach has been a leader in the motorcoach industry for more than 40 years. The company’s showroom and service center is in Stuart, Fla., with a manufacturing facility and service center in North Chicago, Ill.

For more information, go to www.libertycoach.com <http://www.libertycoach.com/> or call (800) 554-9877.

Liberty Coach Reports High Rally Turnout/Sales

Family-owned and operated Liberty Coach reported record attendance at their 9th annual Stuart Open House. The company also sold six coaches during the four-day event, held Feb. 4-7 at Liberty’s Stuart, Fla., facility, according to a press release.

With attendance maxed out at 52 couples — double the number of last year’s rally — the company was encouraged by the turnout.

“Our goal is to sell 10% of the rally attendees, so we are very pleased to exceed that at this rally,” remarked Frank Konigseder, vice president of Liberty Coach.  “With this upturn in attendance and sales, we are cautiously optimistic the country is beginning to build momentum toward economic recovery.”

Clients drove in from around the country for four days of tours, seminars, cocktail parties, and camaraderie, with some coming from as far away as Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Texas, Maine, and Virginia.

“In most cases, our client base is still fortunate enough to have their wealth, but 2009 made everyone more cautious,” said Frank Jr.’s wife, Carolyn, who handles the company’s marketing and exterior paint design. “Our clientele is like family and we always look forward to seeing them at this annual event. We were thrilled that 25% of the people attending this year’s event had never been to a Liberty Coach rally before.”

With a showroom and service center in Stuart and a manufacturing facility with service center in North Chicago, Ill., Liberty Coach has been involved in the coaching industry for more than 40 years.  Today, the company builds on average about 28 new coaches each year. In 2008, Liberty Coach was awarded the Crestron Integration Award for their innovative use of the Crestron remote control system that controls seven zones of audio, video, lighting, HVAC, shades and even the outdoor awning, in addition to monitoring and managing the fresh water and waste water, power generator, air doors and locks.

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