RV Industry News
|
||
| February 2004 | Volume 29 - Number 7 | |
RV Industry News | ||
|
Lazydays Exceeds $750 Million For calendar year 2003 and the first time in its history Lazydays RV Super- Center, the nation’s number one RV dealer, exceeded $750,000,000 in sales. Unit sales were 8,842 in 2003. “Over three quarters of a billion dollars in annual sales revenue is a very important milestone toward the achievement of our ultimate goal of $1 billion. I am very proud of the accomplishments of our employee partners and also very grateful to our wonderful customers for helping us to achieve this record level in annual sales,” says Lazydays’ Founder and CEO, Don Wallace. PleasureLand RV Center Opens Truck Center PleasureLand RV Center opened PleasureLand Truck Center early last month. The PleasureLand Truck center will focus its sales on late model pickup trucks and SUVs that are designed for towing. “Many of our customers come to us wanting to purchase an RV, but do not have a tow vehicle that will accomodate the RV they are wanting to purchase. By opening the Truck Center, we will be able to assist our customers in finding both a tow vehicle and an RV to fit their needs,” said Dan Pearson, President of PleasureLand RV Center. RVSEF recognizes Michelin North America for their 10-year commitment to RV Safety Education During their annual luncheon and Board of Directors meeting in Louisville KY, December 1, 2003, RVSEF honored Michelin NA for their long-term support and financial commitment to RVSEF and its predecessor, A’Weigh We Go. According to Walter Cannon, RVSEF’s Executive Director, "Michelin’s financial commitment, in excess of $600,000.00 over the last 10 years, makes possible our bringing safety education programs to the RV industry". The foresight of Michelin in recognizing that educated consumers would result in decreased safety related issues led them to team up with John Anderson and A’Weigh We Go, later becoming RVSEF, to bring positive safety education programs to the RV industry. "All of us making our living in the RV industry owe a debt of gratitude to Michelin; their dedication to positive programs allows our industry to sustain phenomenal growth while maintaining an extremely healthy posture", Cannon said. Marathon Coach Posts Record 2003 Sales and Continues as Largest Prevost Converter Marathon Coach, Inc. announced the luxury bus conversion company posted record sales during the past year. As a result of strong new and pre-owned coach sales, Marathon’s 2003 revenues exceeded $100 million for the first time in the 20 year history of the company. Marathon anticipates continued growth and is increasing production levels up to 20% over the next two years. In 2004, 62 - 65 coaches will be built, with more than 70 new coaches scheduled for production in 2005. Marathon is also proud to announce that Prevost Car, Inc. officials have confirmed that Marathon Coach maintains its status as the largest Prevost converter in the world. In addition to the increase in production levels, Marathon is also in the process of expanding its service capacity by 20% to 30% in the near future to better serve its coach customers. Wheelers 2004 RV Resort & Campground Guide Released
The Wheelers 2004 RV Resort & Campground Guide was released last month for its 32nd year of providing RVers and campers with a convenient to use guide to their chosen location for an overnight stop, two week vacation or a full season stay. Users of the guide convey that Wheelers is their favorite guide. Says Sheri Bethard, “Wheelers has moRe listings than other books and less clutter of large ads.” Charles and Dot Hutchinson say “We were thrilled to get the new edition of Wheelers to replace our old one as we do prefer that directory when traveling.” Betty Rolley states “ Love Wheelers. Have used it for over 25 years. Easy to find by cities on the maps.” Dennis Davidson says “Only one we use. We’re comfortable with the format. Clear and concise.” The book provides basic information including facilities, phone number, mail address, location, recreation, season, range of fees, and the private enterprise parks are star rated from one to five. The assignment
Wheelers is the lone provider of accessible dealer information by creating a special section for dealer ads at the close of each state. The toll-free reservation service for users of the book to sites of advertised parks has been operated successfully for more than ten years. However, during 2004, the service is sponsored by the Jayco Inc., and callers receive, at their option, a complete packet from Jayco. As Wheelers acknowledges the many visitors from abroad it has provided a glossary of terms in both French and Spanish in the front of the magazine section of the book. Although many other languages could be added, with the two and English, most non- English speaking visitors can manage. The cover story for the 2004 edition is “Christmas in the Big Bend” by Gloria Telander and the photography by Dewey Howard. Wheelers features an area of the United States in each year’s edition. To view the complete Wheelers, log onto www.wheelersguides.com. RV America is the provider of the web site. In additon to the printed book and the web site, Wheelers is also available on CD. Both the book and CD retail for $16.95. The companion Wheelers Road Atlas has a cover price of $9.95. A graduated discount schedule is available to dealers and distributors. For more information contact Print Media Services, Inc. at 800-323-8899 or email gwheelers@yahoo.com. La Mesa RV Center Takes Top Damon Dealer Awards La Mesa RV Center, a San Diego-based RV dealer with selling and service facilities in 10 additional cities in the western United States, was recently recognized and honored by Damon Motor Coach as "Dealer of the Year" amongst all Damon dealers in the United States. In addition, Damon recognized La Mesa RV as the top dealer of the Challenger, Intruder, Ultra Sport and Escaper product lines for the 2003 model year. Dave Miller, Damon vice president of sales and marketing, Dave Olson, Damon assistant vice president of sales and Darren Williams, Damon California regional representative, made the presentation to Jim Kimbrell, La Mesa RV CEO and Jim Walters, president of La Mesa RV, in a ceremony conducted at La Mesa RV’s offices in San Diego. "Our retail partners continue to be the driving force of success for Damon Motor Coach. With our recent acquisition by Thor, we now have the resources to become a dominant force in the Class A business," stated Dave Miller. "We truly value all of the work and efforts La Mesa RV has contributed to the growth and penetration of the market we achieved during the 2003 model year." Blue Ox® Rally member elected to FMCA Commercial Council Blue Ox is proud to announce that Reggie Collins was elected to the Family Motor Coach Association Commercial Council for a two-year term. Each fall, Family Motor Coach Association holds an election via a mail in ballot to elect members for their Commercial Council. Upon election the Council members elect a president and vice president from within their ranks. Collins is a member of the Blue Ox Destination America Rally team. He and his wife Patsy represent Blue Ox by attending rallies across the country. As part of the Blue Ox Rally Team, they conduct seminars, trainings and provide overall customer care. The primary roll of the Council is to support FMCA Conventions and rallies by exhibiting, providing motorhome services and sponsoring entertainment. Jay Hesse, president of Blue Ox, said, "Blue Ox is very proud of the representation provided by Reggie Collins. He is an asset to the Blue Ox Destination Team and he will be an asset to the FMCA Commercial Council." Lazydays Increases Number of Certified RV Technicians Lazydays RV SuperCenter has increased the number of its RVIA Certified and Master Certified technicians to 72, with nine technicians recently achieving certification. Lazydays has more RVIA Certified and Master Certified technicians than any other RV dealer in North America.
|
