Chassis Maker Takes the "Workhorse Experience"
of its W Series Chassis Direct to Consumers

Workhorse Custom Chassis is providing RVers with a hands-on opportunity to experience what the excitement surrounding its all-new W Series chassis is all about. Demonstration drives on motorhomes built on W Series chassis will be held at a number of major RV events throughout 2001.

Richard Fish, vice president of motorhome sales and marketing for Workhorse, said, "When consumers get a chance to actually test drive a motorhome built on a W Series platform, they are convinced, The unsolicited testimonials and superlative evaluations we've received from demonstrations have convinced us that getting people to take test drives makes a huge impression. People are not used to becoming passionate about a motorhome chassis. The W Series changes all that."

The W Series is the first platform for gasoline powered motorhomes in years to be completely engineered from the ground up. It marries the Allison 1000 Series automatic transmission with GM's Vortec 8100 8.1L. engine, giving the W Series the largest displacement, highest horsepower and greatest torque of any gasoline motorhome chassis. This means extraordinarily quick and smooth acceleration, with excellent hill-climbing and passing capabilities. The diesel-like Stabil-Ride suspension also assures an excellent ride and sure handling.

Workhorse conducted 54 test drive demonstrations for consumers earlier this year at the Tampa RV Super Show. Fish said the response was "Fantastic. Overwhelmingly positive."

Forty-nine people commented about their preference for their next chassis after taking the test drive. Of those, not one expressed a preference for any other gasoline chassis. Ninety-two percent expressed a preference for the Workhorse product, with 2 percent voting for a diesel product and six percent undecided.

Participants were asked to rate different characteristics as "Excellent," "Good," "Poor" or "Very Poor." Of those who checked one of these categories, the W22's "Excellent' ratings exceeded 50 percent for each characteristic.

Characteristics that received the most "Excellent" comments included brake feel and effectiveness, 94 percent of responses; transmission operation/shifting, 92 percent; interior engine noise, 83 percent; ride comfort, 74 percent; handling on hills and curves, 79 percent; straight line stability, 73 percent. The chassis received an overall "Excellent" rating on 86 percent of the the responses.

Workhorse's Andrew Taitz Honored by RVIA

Andrew Taitz, chairman of Workhorse Custom Chassis, was honored by RVIA with the RV Automotive Achievement Award.

The award recognizes an individual's outstanding contribution to the RV industry. This is only the eighth time the award has been presented since it was conceived in 1987. As part of the presentation, RVIA said, "Under Andrew's lea  dership, Work-horse Custom Chassis has delivered quality products to the industry. In a relatively short span of time, they have proved to be valuable partners by establishing effective lines of communication with their motorhome manufacturing customers."

Taitz founded Workhorse Custom Chassis in 1998 and in January 1999 he completed an agreement to purchase GM's P-chassis division. When the deal was official, Taitz made a promise to commercial step van and motorhome customers that there would not be an interruption in the manufacture or delivery of product. Taitz delivered.

Workhorse Custom Chassis Gaining Market Share with Motorhome Manufacturers

In just two years, Workhorse Custom Chassis has made an indelible mark on the RV industry.

According to the latest Class A motorhome registration data from R.L. Polk, Workhorse supplies more than 60 percent of the chassis for gasoline powered motorhomes with a gross vehicle weight rating of 19,500 pounds or less. When Workhorse was formed out of GM's P chassis business, the marketshare was only 35 percent.

Richard Fish, vice president of motorhome sales and marketing for Workhorse, said the company's innovations are behind the growth. Fish said, "The Workhorse gains are a byproduct of a focused product development effort, beginning with the complete overhaul of the P-Series and the WideTrack introduction. Today, Workhorse has a platform for every segment of the gas Class A market."

The Workhorse W Series 20,700 lbs. and 22,000 lbs. GVWR chassis are the most recent product introductions. Fish added, "The W Series now allows us to supply a platform to manufacturers in the popular 20,500 lb. and above weight category. From our track record of growth with the proven velocity of the P Series, we expect significant gains from the W Series line-up. Market focus, industry commitment and building products that create velocity into the sales channel are our priorities for the upcoming year."