| At $24,263, what landowner wouldn't lease storage space to FEMA? |
| (Dec. 3, 2008) -- Why couldn't that massive piece of government property at Camp Shelby have been used for this purpose? If not, it certainly would have been cheaper in the long run for FEMA to buy land rather than lease it. How much cheaper? FEMA is now paying $28 million a year - and will be doing so for several years to come - to lease and store trailers on 1,154 acres at five sites in South Mississippi. Those millions of dollars cover more than just the cost of leasing the land, but still, that averages out to $24,263 per acre per year. |
| Fleetwood rolls out new motorhome models at National RV Trade Show |
| (Dec. 3, 2008) -- These new models come after a busy summer that included the launch of the brand new Power Bridge Chassis and a lifecycle change on the high-value Southwind Class A gas motorhome. "Our motorhome leadership team is committed to innovation," said Paul Eskritt, president of Fleetwood's RV Group. "Their ongoing collaboration with our dealers, customers and suppliers helps us bring new models like these more quickly to the market, allowing us to be more competitive in this challenging economic environment." |
| New program from Compass Chemicals helps drive return traffic to RV dealerships |
| (Nov. 26, 2008) -- Compass Chemicals, which makes private label cleaners and sanitation products, announced a new program designed to drive repeat traffic to RV dealerships. The company began offering RV dealers the opportunity to add a coupon to the label of any of its product purchased by the dealership for resale to consumers. The coupon can feature any offer the dealer wishes. |
| Freightliner launches ecoFRED, the first Class A hybrid electric chassis |
| (Dec. 3, 2008) -- ecoFRED, so named because of its increased fuel economy and ecological/ environmental benefits, has the additional benefits of significantly less brake wear due to regenerative braking, leading to lower replacement costs. It also boasts better acceleration and increased towing capacity, and operates similar to driving an automatic transmission. |
| Fleetwood introduces new travel trailers |
| (Dec. 3, 2008) -- Less than three months after its dealer event in Las Vegas, Fleetwoood introduces another eight travel trailers and fifth wheels. "Over the past year, our Travel Trailer Division has maintained a constant focus on overall product innovation, reducing the weight of our products, and closing the gap in our fifth wheel product segments," said Paul Eskritt, president of Fleetwood's RV Group. |
| RVT.com to give away Harley at National RV Trade Show |
| (Dec. 2, 2008) -- RVT.com announced today it will be giving away a Harley Davidson motorcycle at the 46th Annual RVIA show. Dealers are eligible to enter to win and can find details about the giveaway at the RVT.com booth, which is located in Hall 8, Booth 447. The giveaway will take place Dec. 3 at noon at the RVT.com booth. Some restrictions may apply. |
| Fleetwood motorhome association to host national rally in Wyoming in June |
| (Dec. 2, 2008) -- Fleetwood Enterprises' RV Group today announced that the Fleetwood MotorHome Association (FMA) will hold its first-ever "Wind Your Way to Wyoming" national rally in Gillette, Wy. June 27 to 30. |
| Canadian RV park sells half its available lots |
| (Dec. 2, 2008) -- The Saskatchewan government granted permission to develop the site in the heart of the Centre Block, a first for the popular summer destination. The lots will be fully serviced with water, sewer, power, street lighting, and parking pads. Each is a minimum of 3,000 square feet and costs $30,000 for 10 years, but lease-holders have the opportunity to renew for an additional 10 years at a lowered cost of $25,000. |
| Baltimore-Freightliner Western Star honored as Oasis Dealer of the Year |
| (Dec. 2, 2008) -- Baltimore Freightliner-Western Star is the first East Coast dealer to win the award since its inception in 2003. The award is given each year to the dealer who received the highest customer satisfaction rating as determined by customer surveys. Customers are able to complete surveys at the dealership. |
| State of South Dakota gives away a travel trailer |
| (Dec. 2, 2008) -- The Give Away, co-sponsored by the South Dakota Division of Parks and Recreation and the South Dakota RV Dealers Association, gave state park visitors the opportunity to win one of 10 different travel trailers offered by participating dealers. |
| Odyssey Group announces staff cuts |
| (Dec. 2, 2008) -- "During the last couple of months, Odyssey Group, along with the rest of our markets, has seen extremely difficult and volatile times. We have made tough decisions to size our company to the markets we serve. Unfortunately this has involved the downsizing of physical locations and people. These great people are the reason Odyssey Group became one of the largest suppliers to the RV and Housing markets," said CEO Lindsey Stults. |
| Fifty new motorhomes are riding on Freightliner chassis at National RV Trade Show |
| (Dec. 2, 2008) -- Coachmen, Damon RV, Entegra Coach, Fleetwood Enterprises, Inc., Forest River RV, Gulf Stream, Tiffin Motorhomes, Triple E RV, Winnebago and Itasca are all displaying new RV models constructed on FCCC motorhome chassis at this year's trade show. |
| RVIA president offers encouragement to National RV Trade Show attendees |
| (Dec. 2, 2008) -- RVIA President Richard Coon told Outlook 2009 attendees that the RV industry's history of posting strong recoveries from previous market downturns offers encouragement in the face of the current tough economic circumstances. “For many of us here this morning, today’s situation is nothing new. We’ve seen and survived tough times before,” said Coon, a 30-year veteran of the RV industry. “We are a resilient industry that has a history of coming back stronger than ever." |
| Strong showing at Outlook 2009 kicks off National RV Trade Show |
| (Dec. 2, 2008) -- An enthusiastic audience and energetic, information-packed presentations helped make the Dec. 2 “Outlook 2009: We’ve Got Heart!” a showcase for the RV industry’s resilience and “heart” in the face of difficult economic times. |
| Hickory Springs acquires JSI |
| (Dec. 2, 2008) -- The recently announced acquisition is the culmination of a business relationship 17 years in the making. Hickory Springs first began working with JSI in 1991, when JSI started buying rocker bases from Hickory Springs’ Fort Smith, Arkansas, metal plant. Over the next 17 years, JSI continued to purchase more products manufactured by Hickory Springs for its RV customers. |
| Thetford displays certified green products at National RV Trade Show |
| (Dec. 2, 2008) -- Thetford recently was granted Design for the Environment status as part of a partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to create more environmentally-friendly products. Thetford has five products in its RV Care line that have received DfE certification including: Hard Water Spot Remover; RV Wash & Wax; Mildew Stain Remover; Ultra Foam Black Streak & Bug Remover, and Ultra Foam Awning Cleaner. |
| Diversity experts offer tips for RV industry to embrace Hispanic market |
| (Dec. 2, 2008) -- According to Gary and Valerie Bermans, America’s estimated Hispanic population exceeds 44 million people — 15 percent of the nation’s population. Hispanics had purchasing power of $863.1 billion in 2007, a number projected to grow to $1 trillion by 2010. The Bermans urged RV manufacturers and dealers to reach out to Hispanics in an effort to tap into this large and growing market. |
| Winegard introduces TravelNet wireless Internet system |
| (Dec. 2, 2008) -- The TravelNet system uses existing cell phone data coverage offerings to deliver internet to the RV. While coverage and connection speeds vary by provider, the TravelNet system is far more reliable than Air Cards. Anytime, all-the-time internet access provides fast and reliable two-way wireless service. Since it's always on, you're always connected, even while traveling down the road, as compared to satellite internet systems that work only while parked. |
| CEO concerns rising over risk and balance sheets |
| (Dec. 2, 2008) -- More than 46 percent of survey participants – up from roughly half that (24.5 percent) in the summer – were most concerned about speed, flexibility and adaptability to change. Global economic performance (44.6 percent) and financial risk including liquidity, volatility and credit risk (43.8 percent) were the fourth and fifth most pressing concerns, but were not in the Top 10 list of concerns in the summer survey. Business confidence also jumps into the Top 10, moving up 25 ranks from 34th out of 94 challenges to 9th. Those rating business confidence as being one of their “greatest concerns” rose four-fold from 9.1 percent in July/August to 36.3 percent in October. |
| RVing retains its appeal despite challenging economic times |
| (Dec. 2, 2008) -- Our research helped us make an extremely important point," Gary LaBella, RVIA's vice president of marketing and public relations told industry professionals this morning. "That RV sales are down because of external forces beyond the industry's control, not because RVs are becoming unpopular." RVIA cost comparison and owner research was a major factor behind the positive coverage in a difficult year. “Our research helped us make an extremely important point,” said LaBella, “that RV sales are down because of external forces beyond the industry’s control, not because RVs are becoming unpopular.” |
| Spartan inspires innovation in the RV market |
| (Dec. 2, 2008) -- Spartan utilizes proven technology and research to design, analyze and engineer each of its custom chassis to fit seamlessly with the body design of each OEMs particular coach model. The result is creative and innovative motorhome designs ranging from mid-size Class A models to luxurious highline motorhomes. |
| Good Sam survey shows RV travel to increase this holiday season |
| (Dec. 2, 2008) -- “RV travel will be up significantly, with 33 percent of our members planning to travel more and another 48 percent planning to travel the same amount as last year,” said Sue Bray, executive director of the Good Sam Club. “With gas prices continuing to go down, RVers appreciate the convenience and cost effectiveness of traveling in their RVs without having to deal with extra airline costs, lost luggage, or flight delays. Something fun we learned from this study is that RVers find it tougher to stick to their diets than to their travel budgets.” |
| Travel industry group applauds Obama's foreign policy team |
| (Dec. 2, 2008) -- "Senator Clinton, Secretary Gates and Dr. Susan Rice all recognize the need for more robust U.S. public diplomacy efforts, and people-to-people diplomacy is one of our country's most effective tools for winning hearts and minds throughout the world. Whether it is for business, leisure or education, the travel experience is unique in its ability to shape public opinion. Studies show that those who have visited the United States are 74 percent more likely to have a favorable image of the country and its policies in the world." |
| New Dometic website features James Bond-like featurettes |
| (Dec. 2, 2008) -- On the homepage, visitors can view short films that introduce the variety of products Dometic offers. Within the American-specific homepage, the latest Dometic news is available at a glance, along with an easy-to-use search function and entry points to learning more about RV, marine, hotel and trucking products. |
| Dometic introduces several new products |
| (Dec. 2, 2008) -- Dometic has developed the most powerful flush available in the RV industry with the Rush Flush toilet. Its industry-exclusive dehumidifier/air conditioner combo unit. The powerful unit removes as much as 12 gallons of water every 24 hours, helping to protect an RVer’s investment from mold and other humidity-related concerns. The lightweight, Euro-style cooktops unite form and function with their sleek design, stainless steel standard and powerful, efficient operation. |
| Fleetwood introduces the Terry Premier travel trailer |
| (Dec. 2, 2008) -- Featuring a two-tone gelcoat front cap with raised logo combination, Terry Premier has been developed to hit the heart of the travel trailer market. Residential features include halogen lighting, standard LCD TV with home theater system, and available solid surface countertops. Exterior highlights include available aluminum wheels and electric awning. |
| Fleetwood introduces new hybrid at National RV Trade Show |
| (Dec. 2, 2008) -- Fleetwood Enterprises’ RV Group today announced the unveiling of its first-ever Fleetwood Hybrid motorhome concept vehicle during National RV Trade Show in Louisville, Ky. Built on the ecoFRED, a hybrid electric power train system chassis from Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation, Fleetwood Hybrid features increased fuel economy up to 42 percent and can be re-fueled at any diesel fuel station. |
| Rainmaker Software announces free online consulting program for RV dealers |
| (Dec. 2, 2008) -- Client Services Director Bill Carr, said, “This is the fourth downside market since we started working with dealers in 1976. Owners are nervous and they have developed some bad habits during the last 12 to 14 years of good times. But there are proven strategies that owners can employ to survive and remain profitable in this down market. These strategies go beyond the basics of cutting inventory and reducing staff. Most of these are actions dealers can take themselves; they just need someone to give them a road map through these times.” |
| RV park worker drowns in Arizona |
| (Dec. 2, 2008) -- Divers have recovered the body of a maintenance worker at Viewpoint RV and Golf Resort who drowned after his lawn mower went into a golf course lake Monday. Mesa Deputy Chief Mike Dunn said the worker appears to have gone too close to the edge of the lake at the point of a sharp incline covered in wet grass. Dunn said it was unclear whether the mower rolled into the lake because of the incline or slid because of the wet grass. |
| RV maker eyes expansion into mobile command vehicles |
| (Dec. 2, 2008) -- Supreme Corporation unveiled a new mobile command vehicle built for the state of Indiana. The vehicles will be able to provide communications around the state in times of emergencies. Supreme Corp. came out on top of a total of 12 firms that put in a bid to make the command units. The company was awarded a $2 million grant to make five of them. |