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PRESS RELEASE
Atlanta – September 21, 2005 – Stag-Parkway, Inc. announces the appointment of Mr. John Spaulding to the position of Director of Marketing Services starting October 24, 2005. Mr. Spaulding, current Publisher of RV Trade Digest, will be relocating to the Atlanta market where his wife Kimber Williams will join him and daughters Grace and Emma

The Board of Directors of the Florida RV Trade Association (FRVTA) voted, at their meeting held in September at the Annual Convention, to send $30,000 to help Hurricane Katrina Victims. Half of the money will be sent to the Salvation Army and the other half will be sent to the Second Harvest Food Bank.

“Many of our Board members have been impacted by hurricanes over the past couple of years,” said FRVTA President Scott Schmidt. “We appreciate how much damage can be done from hurricanes and feel it is up to everyone in our industry to make a donation to the charity of their choice.”

Many of FRVTA’s regions will also be sending funds to help hurricane victims along the Gulf Coast. Region 4 (Orlando) has already approved sending $10,000 to the Second Harvest Food Bank. “With so many of our members sending relief, we thought it was necessary to allocate funds from our regional treasury,” said Matt O’Born, Region 4 President. “We were recipients of help from last year’s four hurricanes that hit Florida and we felt it was time to give something back.”

The FRVTA State Convention was held September 8-11 at Hawk’s Cay Resort in the Florida Keys. The convention featured RVIA President Dave Humphreys, RVIA President-Elect Richard Coon and RVDA President Mike Molino. The 2006 FRVTA Convention will be held September 7-10, 2006 at the Renaissance Orlando Resort directly across from Sea World.

More than 350 hygiene kits were packaged last week by employees of Progress Mfg. Inc. and community members in effort to help Katrina victims.

With each kit equipped to assist a family of four, volunteers put together enough kits to serve 1,400 people. Jed Anderson, CEO of Progress Mfg. Inc., organized the opportunity for his employees to give service by compiling the kits. Progress Mfg. Inc., a Provo-based trailer hitch manufacturing company, has been in Utah for over 20 years. Anderson feels it was part of their community responsibility to help any way they could.

"We were in a position to help those in need...we just felt it was the right thing to do," Anderson said. "Part of our company mission is to be a 'socially responsible business' and we intend to live up to that."

In addition to employees packaging kits, Progress Mfg. Inc. also donated materials to the efforts of local church members to package more hygiene kits. Many of the members donated materials themselves to increase the numbers of kits.

"It was great to be able to pull together the efforts of employees and community members to help others," Anderson said.

Many of the Progress Mfg. Inc.'s employees were eager to help and feel the satisfaction of service.

"It provided a way to do something tangible for the people," Zachary Robinson, company controller, said. "It felt great because the kits are something that those people really need. It's a small thing we can do to provide a great benefit for them."

Anderson said his main motivation for choosing to help was to reinstate hope in people.

"You see people on the news who have lost everything; they look as though they've abandoned all hope. If we can give them some source of hope - even by something so simple as the ability to clean up - that would be great," Anderson said.

Progress Mfg. Inc. knows that communities across the state and nation have done their best to help in recovering from this catastrophic event and we are happy to do our part with them, Anderson said. Besides compiling hygiene kits, Progress Mfg. Inc. also contributed financially.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has been requesting thousands of travel trailers to provide shelter for those who have lost their homes to Katrina. Progress Mfg. Inc. is proud to be one of the hitch suppliers for these trailers, Anderson said.

Workhorse 100,000th Chassis Challenge Winners Announced
on Web cast from RV Learning Center

A live Web cast from RVDA’s RV Learning Center on Sept. 6 announced Hansel RV of Petaluma, Calif., and Camperland of Oklahoma in Tulsa, Okla., as the Round II winners of the Workhorse 100,000th Chassis Challenge.

RVDA President Mike Molino made the announcement over the Workhorse Web site (www.workhorse. com) flanked by Michael Moyer, vice president of brand strategy for Workhorse Custom Chassis, and Drew Brengman, Workhorse director of dealer sales.

Level 2 winner Hansel RV won a 2005 Harley-Davidson motorcycle and $50,000 cash back on its fall motor home orders. It became eligible for the Level 2 prize by having orders of 8 or more motor homes built on Workhorse chassis comprise at least 80 percent of its July and August motor home orders.

Level I winner Camperland of Oklahoma became eligible for the same Harley cycle and $20,000 in cash back by ordering up to seven motor homes on Workhorse chassis amounting to 80 percent or more of its orders for the same time period. Both winners were drawn from entries that resulted from their motor home orders.

Valley RV Center in McMinnville, Ore., and Pleasureland RV Center of St. Cloud, Minn., were the Level 1 and Level 2 winners, respectively, for the Round I drawing, held in July. The promotion celebrated the 100,000th chassis to come off the Workhorse assembly line since Workhorse began manufacturing operations in 1999.

“Workhorse has a great history of partnering with dealers and we really appreciate you coming to the RV Learning Center and partnering with us for this presentation,” said Molino. “We’re happy to celebrate this 100,000th chassis. I was there when it rolled off the assembly line. It was a great day in Workhorse history and in the history of our industry — for a company that has come so far, so fast for the RV dealer, the RV consumer and the RV manufacturer. It’s a proud moment for everyone involved with the Workhorse company, in selling their product, and in servicing their product.”

“This promotion is designed to reward our loyal customers — those who order 80 percent or more on their inventory on Workhorse chassis,” said Moyer. “Most dealers know that motor homes built on Workhorse chassis tend to sell faster and better than their competitors. We’re looking forward to our 200,000th chassis.”

A video of the Web cast will be available for viewing on the redesigned Workhorse Web site.

Specializing in the manufacture of chassis for motor homes, walk-in trucks and buses, as well as integrated walk-in trucks, Workhorse Custom Chassis is ISO 9001 certified and considered a leader in the motor home and walk-in truck industries. For more information call toll-free 877-294-6773 or visit www.workhorse.

Fleetwood RV, a leading manufacturer of recreational vehicles, has announced its collaboration with Original Productions for the fourth season of Monster House, the nationally syndicated show airing on the Discovery Channel. Monster House is the popular home makeover show, “monsterizing” average houses into themed, extravagant adaptations, such as a Parisian cityscape or an old western ghost town.

In partnership with the Monster House production company, Original Productions, Fleetwood RV has supplied a 2005 Wilderness Advantage fifth wheel trailer. The Wilderness Advantage serves as a sanctuary for homeowners who anxiously watch as their homes are transformed by the creative Monster House design team.

“The opportunity to work with Original Productions on Monster House is a welcomed venture for Fleetwood,” said Chris Braun, Executive Vice President of Fleetwood Enterprises Inc. “Monster House is the ideal platform to showcase the functionality and innovation of Fleetwood’s products and to show how efficient and accommodating RVs can really be.”

The 2005 Wilderness Advantage is designed to maximize function and space while offering comfort, and style. The Wilderness Advantage’s sturdy construction and quality amenities – like a fully functional kitchen, stylish bedroom, and a deluxe stereo and TV entertainment center – make it an ideal living space for homeowners to use while their house is being “monsterized.”

“Fleetwood is an integral part in making the fourth season of Monster House a success,” said Josh Peters of Original Productions. “The 2005 Wilderness Advantage is functional and modern, and our homeowners love staying in it while we are working on their homes.”

The fourth season of Monster House will air on Mondays at 8 p.m. EST on the Discovery Channel.

While in New York, Winnebago Industries personnel also met with several of the Company’s investors and potential investors.

TRW/Goodyear Create Enhanced Electronic Stability Control
System Thanks to 'Talking Tires'

TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. and The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company today announced the joint development of a new system that will automatically adjust the performance parameters of a vehicle's electronic stability control (ESC) system based on the dimensions and other characteristics of the vehicle's tires.

"As more people seek to customize their vehicles through the use of larger wheels and tires, or exchange tires seasonally, we want to ensure that the onboard systems such as electronic stability control will still offer the intended safety and performance benefits," said Phil Cunningham, product business director for TRW chassis products. "To accomplish this, TRW and Goodyear have developed a system that enables vehicle control units to recognize tire characteristics and adjust the electronic stability control trim level accordingly."

"The system being developed demonstrates the synergies created through the collaborative effort launched by TRW and Goodyear in 2003," said Steve Roth, Goodyear's director of vehicle systems. "Through Goodyear's leadership in tire embedded electronics and tire/vehicle interaction, and TRW's expertise in electronic stability control, we are introducing a system that will help to enhance vehicle safety."

The system provides ease of implementation to auto manufacturers and allows them to offer more choices to their customers. It is expected to be particularly helpful in the Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) segment when winter tires or custom wheels and large-diameter tires are used. Tuning the electronic stability control system for the specific tire used improves its performance in any vehicle. The new system is targeted for production for the 2009 Model Year.

Premium Blue Ox tow bars offered free with purchase of motor
homes built on Workhorse chassis

Workhorse Custom Chassis’ free tow bar offer at the recent FMCA International Convention was such a hit that Workhorse has extended it to motor home buyers across the United States and Canada from Sept. 1 to Oct. 31, 2005.

Workhorse will provide a free Blue Ox Alexus tow bar worth $645 with the purchase of any motor home built on a Workhorse chassis through a participating RV dealer. The Pennsylvania RV & Camping Show in Hershey, Pa., was among the venues where RVers took advantage of the offer.

Workhorse found the free tow bar popular with RVers in Florida and Texas earlier this year, as well as at the FMCA convention in August. “It has been very well received wherever we’ve done it,” said Bob Wert, Workhorse vice president of sales, marketing and product planning. “So we’ve decided to extend the offer throughout the U.S. and Canada for a limited time. Tow bars have become a required extra in many motor home purchases, and this product gives our customers an exceptional added benefit.”

Motor home buyers submit a simple claim form from the dealership or the Workhorse Program Headquarters Web site (www.WorkhorseRewards.com. Once their purchase is verified they will be shipped the tow bar, which is installed through the same dealership.

“Workhorse is very pleased to partner with Blue Ox and RV dealerships across the country in bringing this kind of extra value to the RV customer. That’s the kind of role we’ve become known for and the kind of role we’ll continue to play,” said Wert.

The 42-pound Alexus tow bar has a 10,000 lb. Class IV rating, the largest capacity of any tow bar on the market. It features a cutting edge ball-in-socket design and a newly designed baseplate connection. It provides extremely strong and durable attachments between coach and tow vehicle, which include a self-tightening pivot connection that extends the life of the towing system.

The Florida RV Trade Association (FRVTA) will support the RVDA Education Foundation’s RV Learning Center with a new $15,000 pledge bringing the FRVTA’s total contribution to $30,000.

Rick Horsey, of Parkview RV Center in Smyrna, DE and Chairman of the RVDA Education Foundation, said, “the Florida RV Trade Association continues to be a committed leader in dealership education. We deeply appreciate their ongoing support of the RV Learning Center.”

“The RV Learning Center is an extremely valuable resource for RV dealers, their employees, and the entire industry,” said FRVTA Executive Director Lance Wilson. “This contribution stands as an example of the FRVTA Board of Directors’ commitment to improving the RV business.”

Dealers and their business partners can contribute to the RV Learning Center which is dedicated to providing dealers and their employees with innovative ways to operate RV dealerships through an array of education resources including publications, distance learning, live workshops, online products, and certification for RV dealership personnel.

For more information on the Foundation’s RV Learning Center, visit www.rvlearningcenter.com, send an e-mail to info@rvda.org, or send a fax to (703) 591-0734. The RVDA Education Foundation is a tax exempt organization as described in section 501(C)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions may be tax deductible as charitable donations.

SEMA Show Provides an Up-Close and Personal Experience
for Industry Professionals and Media

The upcoming SEMA Show, scheduled for Nov. 1-4, 2005, in Las Vegas, will provide show attendees with a unique interactive experience unparalleled in the automotive industry. Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of Marketing and Communications, emphasized that the event is by no means a static tradeshow - rather, it invites industry members and qualified automotive media to experience firsthand innovative new products and to interact with the new businesses bringing them to market.

"The SEMA Show will give show attendees the opportunity to do more than just handle or view new products - they can interact with them in dynamic ways, such as the SEMA Proving Grounds presented by Yokohama, Off-Road Proving Ground presented by UROC and speak with the key contacts from exhibiting companies such as designers, engineers and top management," said MacGillivray. He added that in order to maximize the full experiential benefit of SEMA Show, attendees are encouraged to utilize the "My Show Planner" tool on SEMAshow.com. "It's really the best way to schedule visits with exhibitors, to attend educational seminars, and see the many new products on display," said MacGillivray. Some of the show highlights attendees will want to see include:

The SEMA Proving Ground presented by Yokohama allows exhibitors to demonstrate their products to buyers with hands-on driving experience, which includes performance driving on an enclosed track. The Off-Road Proving Ground presented by UROC will feature SuperCrawl All-Stars and other legendary off-roading professionals who will demonstrate what they do best - driving over a challenging man-made mountain that is twice the size of last year's course. Attendees interested in getting down in the dirt may also be invited to get behind the wheel of the latest off-road machines equipped with the newest SEMA member off-road performance and appearance accessories.

The automotive accessories industry is about creating vehicles that cater to personal needs and pop culture trends in music, sports and other recreational activities. That is why the SEMA Show has been expanded to represent the lifestyles that influence specialty equipment products. Many of these activities and presentations will be covered by such notable programs as Speed Channel, Overhaulin', Car Crazy, as well as MTV, ESPN and Rides.

Featuring more than 1,000 of the industry's leading-edge parts and accessories, the New Products Showcase is a central gathering point for products from the entire show. Organized in industry- specific categories that include off-road, mobile electronics, racing and performance, truck and restoration categories, it is a comprehensive introduction of what's hot and new in the industry.

More than 2,000 feature vehicles will be on display at the SEMA Show, and each vehicle will be customized for attendees to observe how specific accessories and performance parts fit in particular OEM stock vehicles.

The main stage will host new products, personalities, technology and entertainment from various enthusiast categories, such as lowrider, sport compact, off-road, hot rod and urban market segments. Feature vehicles from these market segments will be paraded in front of the main stage throughout the week, showcasing the most diverse and innovative styles in the industry.

This year's exclusive event, open only to verified industry professionals and media, will feature more than 2,000 exhibitors in over one million square feet of space. Over 100,000 trade professionals are expected to attend this year to walk through the ten market-based sections and view the anticipated 1,000 never-before seen products that will be displayed in the New Products Showcase.

Online registration and additional information about the SEMA Show is available at www.semashow.com, or by contacting ConvExx Show Management at askus@convexx.com or 702/450- 7662 ext. 118.

SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association founded in 1963, represents the $31 billion specialty automotive industry of 6,466 member-companies. It is the authoritative source for research, data, trends and market growth information for the specialty auto parts industry. The industry provides appearance, performance, comfort, convenience and technology products for passenger and recreational vehicles. For more information, contact SEMA at 1575 S. Valley Vista Dr. , Diamond Bar , CA 91765 , tel: 909/396-0289 or visit www.sema.org and www.enjoythedrive.com .

Georgie Boy Manufacturing Transitions to Upgraded Facilities
Newer Plant will Support Growth

Coachmen Industries, Inc. (NYSE: COA) has announced that Georgie Boy Manufacturing LLC, a Motorhome Company within their RV Group, will be moving their manufacturing facility to a newer, more sophisticated facility located in Middlebury, Indiana. Georgie Boy has experienced market share growth over the last three years and this transition is being made to support this market share growth. The new Georgie Boy production facility located in Middlebury, Indiana was built in 2003.

The new plant boasts 127,000 square feet of production capacity under one roof on the main floor, with an additional 24,000 square feet of mezzanines for offline manufacturing. This compares to the current Georgie Boy assembly plant of 98,720 square feet, comprised of several buildings in their current manufacturing location, which results in a number of manufacturing inefficiencies and capacity constraints. This move will start immediately and be completed by the end of November. All pending Georgie Boy orders will be completed and shipped to our dealers from the Edwardsburg, Michigan facility. All current eligible Georgie Boy employees will be offered a transfer to this newer and more advanced manufacturing facility.

“This is an exciting move for Georgie Boy, as it provides us a marvelous opportunity to take our products to the next level, as we continue to grow our company,” said Pat Terveer, Georgie Boy President. Georgie Boy will continue as a stand alone company within the RV Group of Coachmen, with full ownership of engineering, product development, sales and marketing efforts. “This is simply a facility upgrade for our manufacturing activities,” added Terveer.

“There are tremendous benefits and synergies that we will recognize through this strategic move. The leveraging of our assets and resources will have a favorable impact on Georgie Boy and the RV Group as a whole, enabling us to grow our business profitably,” stated Michael R. Terlep, President of the Coachmen RV Group. “This move will not displace any of our Middlebury-based hourly employees, as we are simply leveraging our assets, our resources and our capacity utilization.”

Coachmen Industries, Inc. is one of America’s leading manufacturers of recreational vehicles, systems-built homes and commercial buildings, with prominent subsidiaries in each industry.

The wider stance and lower center of gravity of the Workhorse chassis also aids stability and minimizes roll-over risk. The Easy On bus’ front-wheel drive provides exceptional handling in any situation, while excellent power and performance in traffic is achieved by GM’s highly-touted Duramax 6.6 liter diesel engine mated to an Allison 1000 Series™ transmission. More information about Workhorse and its bus platform can be found at www.workhorse.com.

As the nation watched in horror as Katrina devoured the Gulf coast, employees of Keystone RV Company simultaneously turned their thoughts to disaster relief. RV companies are often called upon to build low-income housing for homeless survivors of natural disasters. Within days after the hurricane, requests for temporary housing poured into Elkhart County and Keystone RV Company quickly prepared to meet the substantial demand. With several hundred thousand people in need of shelter, the needs were great.

A temporary home could not remedy the scope of human tragedy, however. “The disaster touched us all. Who could watch those images on TV and not be moved to act?” said Ron Fenech, Keystone RV president. Keystone reacted quickly to do something more. The company set up a disaster relief fund to which employees could donate and collection bins at each of its sixteen production plants. Employees rushed to contribute to the cause. Within a week, individual employees donated over $31,335 which Keystone RV company matched, dollar for dollar. Additionally, employees collected several trailer loads of food and clothing to send to victims through the America’s Second Harvest organization.

On September 21, Keystone employees, Michelle Crumm, Karen Mullins, Tim Edwards, Ricardo Marin, Leroy Miller, Samuel Fry, Allen Bontager, and Mark Dillworth presented the Elkhart County Red Cross chapter of the American Red Cross with a check for $62,670 as a gift for the Katrina relief effort. “We thank everyone for their generous support.” said local Red Cross chapter president, Linda Nelson. “The needs are great and the response has been great.”

Keystone RV is a subsidiary of Thor Industries, Inc., Jackson Center, Ohio, the nation’s largest manufacturer of recreation vehicles.

Dometic Corporation has joined forces with “RVTV,” Toronto, Canada, in custom building a Super Coach. The custom build is part of a series of overhaul and makeover projects for Dometic. Previously Dometic helped restore a classic Airstream and most recently signed on as the major sponsor of RV Rescue – a makeover event that will revitalize one deserving winner’s RV at the 2006 Great North American RV Rally, Daytona, Fla.

“As with our other makeover projects, we are excited to be a part of the RVTV Super Coach custom build,” said Brad Sargent, vice president of marketing at Dometic. “We hope that these custom builds and makeovers will encourage RVers to personalize their own units and make improvements that will add to the overall comfort of their RVing experiences.”

The completed vehicle will be a unique, state-of-the-art technological advancement in the RV world. The finished coach will be a 52-foot rig on a class eight Volvo chassis with three slide outs and numerous amenities provided by sponsors. The unit will feature Dometic’s SideWise refrigerator. The SideWise includes three RV revolutions in one: a stainless steel exterior option, ice-in-the-door and true automatic defrost.

“RVTV” will feature the building process over several episodes set to air in the summer and fall 2005. The coach will tour North America and will be seen at rallies and various shoot locations over the next few years.

“RVTV” works to inform and entertain RVers of all ages, interests and background. Realizing that RVing is more than just a vacation, it seeks to showcase style, adventure and comfort. “RVTV” can be seen on Canadian Learning Television, The Outdoor Channel and all A Channels across Canada. For more information, visit www.rvtv.ca.

Dometic is a leading international supplier of specialty products and systems for increased comfort away from home. Dometic provides recreation vehicle, pleasure boat and special refrigeration systems for use mainly in the leisure industry, the hotel sector and in medical markets. Dometic has achieved leading global market positions by focusing on its strong customer relationships and developing innovative solutions. Dometic has production facilities in ten countries, its own sales and marketing operations in 17 countries plus approximately 65 distributors globally.

The Electrical Harness Division of Phillips Industries has recently moved into expanded manufacturing facilities necessitated by the growth of the company’s trailer component business. The new factory, located in Dallas, Texas, produces trailer harnesses and associated components for van, reefer and cargo semi-trailers as well as smaller trailers utilized for recreational vehicles, boat and utility trailer towing. The Phillips STA-DRY® Modular Harness System, produced in Dallas, is the fastest growing trailer electrical wiring harness system in North America today. The system offers time and dollar conscious fleets a watertight electrical harness system with a logical approach to trailer re-wiring and maintenance.

Additionally, an expanded machine shop with state-of-the art tooling and CNC grinding equipment, along with sophisticated testing and simulation stations, allows the company to react quickly to customer-specific requirements. Walter Hooper, General Manager of the Electrical Harness Division emphasized that “Meeting customer’s design and lead time demands are the core of the Phillips philosophy, and our move into this new facility allows us to really address those issues. The space and organization we have now means we can continue to satisfy and grow our customer base.”

More than 2,000 manufacturers are expected to participate in the 2005 SEMA Show at Las Vegas – a significant rise from the more than 1,900 who took part in last year’s event. This dramatic increase will also mark 2005 as the first year the show covers more than one million square feet. Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president, marketing and communications, said this increasingly large number of participating manufacturers is one of the many reasons the SEMA Show is so heavily attended by trade buyers.

“This is both exciting and affirming for the industry—it tells us that the industry is headed in the right direction,” said MacGillivray. “We know the reason behind this tremendous growth is that attendees are specifically coming to meet with manufacturers, to see their new products and to experience the many educational seminars the show offers.” MacGillivray commented the underlying strength of the SEMA Show through the years has been the ability of organizers to find a place for new businesses that want to participate and showcase their products.

“Our board of directors remain committed to producing a show that is accessible to small and mid-sized businesses,” said MacGillivray. “Each year we attract several hundred new companies to the SEMA Show. Those new businesses, combined with our established exhibitors, provide the perfect showcase for new technologies, trends and products.”

The SEMA Show, the annual showcase of technology, trends and products for the $31 billion automotive accessories industry, will be held November 1-4, 2005 at the Las Vegas Convention Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday. This year’s exclusive event, open only to verified industry professionals and media, will feature more than 2,000 exhibitors in over one million square feet of space. More than 100,000 trade professionals are expected to attend this year to walk through the ten market-based sections and view the anticipated 1,000 never-before-seen products that will be displayed in the New Products Showcase. Online registration and additional information about the SEMA Show is available at www.semashow.com, or by contacting ConvExx Show Management at askus@convexx.com or 702/450- 7662 ext. 118.

Recreational Park Trailer or 'Park Model' Industry Records an
11% Increase During the First Half of 2005

National shipments of recreational park trailers were up 11 percent during the first half of 2005 as record numbers of consumers bought into the idea of using a trailer product as a vacation home, according to the Recreational Park Trailer Industry Association (RPTIA).

Unlike mobile homes, which are a form of low-cost, permanent housing, recreational park trailers or "park models" are 400-square foot movable resort cottages that are designed exclusively for parttime recreational use. Typically upscale in appearance, they often include bay windows and lofts as well as walnut, oak or maple cabinetry. And they can be left on a permanent campsite for an entire season.

"We knew demand for park trailers was strong, but we frankly didn't expect to outpace last year's shipment figures to the extent that we have," said William Garpow, a 30-year RV industry veteran who serves as executive director of the Recreational Park Trailer Industry Association (RPTIA). "In the past two years," he added, "we've gone from being one of the most obscure segments of the RV business to one of the most dynamic."

Dynamic indeed. RPTIA reported 5,281 shipments during the first six months of this year, an 11 percent increase from the 4,762 shipments recorded a year earlier.

The 2005 statistics are significant, Garpow said, because they indicate that the nation's 40-plus park trailer manufacturers and their dealers are selling units at a pace that will likely eclipse last year's production figures, which were the highest in the history of the park model business.

RPTIA reported 9,186 park trailer shipments during calendar 2004, up 30 percent from the 7,074 shipments reported during the same period in 2003. Previously, RPTIA reported 7,363 shipments in 2002; 7,388 in 2001; 8,343 in 2000; and 8,161 in 1999.

Statistics compiled so far in 2005 include 2,481 shipments during the first quarter, a 15 percent gain over the 2,152 shipments recorded during the same period a year earlier, and 2,800 shipments during the second quarter, a 7 percent jump over the 2,610 shipments reported during April, May and June of 2004.

Garpow said the high volume of recreational park trailer or "park model" shipments reflects rising real estate prices, which are prompting record numbers of consumers to look for more affordable vacation dwellings.

It all comes down to economics. While condos and site-built homes in resort areas typically cost $200,000 or $300,000 or more, park models generally cost less than $50,000, with the average price being in the $35,000 range. Most park models are placed on campsites, which can be leased for $1,500 to $5,000 per year, depending on location. However, some consumers also place their units on private property and use them as vacation dwellings, subject to local zoning requirements.

Rising consumer demand for park models is also being supplemented by growing demand from campground operators, who use park models primarily to accommodate travelers who do not have RVs but want to enjoy the recreational lifestyle.

While it's too soon to forecast the park model industry's 2005 performance with precision, executives from some of the nation's largest park trailer producers say they expect to match their record performance from 2004, including the Breckenridge Division of Damon Corp., a Thor company based in Nappanee, Ind.

Phoenix, Ariz.-based Cavco Industries has also demonstrated its confidence in the park model business by announcing plans to open a new park model production facility in Phoenix as well as an additional production facility in Seguin, Texas.

Garpow said the park trailer business, along with the rest of the RV and manufactured housing industries, could also be affected by Hurricane Katrina, which has potentially destroyed hundreds of thousands of homes. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is again turning to these industries for emergency housing.

Additional sales will likely result from upcoming RV shows, such as the 16th Annual Fall Detroit Camping and RV Show, slated for Oct. 5th to 9th, and the Florida RV Supershow, which will take place Jan. 18th to 22nd in Tampa.

Advantage PressurePro, manufacturer of PressurePro TPMS Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems was named the 6th fastest growing company in the Kansas City, MO and surrounding communities according to Ingram's Magazine's "Corporate Report 100". PressurePro, debuting in the 20th edition of Ingram's Corporate Report 100, earned the honor through innovative marketing efforts and sales worldwide, catapulting PressurePro's TPMS Tire Pressure Monitoring System products to the top of the global TPMS aftermarket.

PressurePro is the leading global supplier of aftermarket Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems with distribution in North America as well as 22 countries outside of North America. Tire Pressure Monitoring is one of the most widely sought after technologies worldwide, bringing to the transportation world a new degree of added safety and savings, maximizing fuel efficiency, tire life, casing integrity which affect braking and handling of the vehicle. Escalating oil prices and a looming shortage of tires, combined with exponential growth in newly emerging industrial and consumer markets worldwide have created a significant need for greater savings and safety. PressurePro TPMS satisfies those needs while providing greater safety and peace of mind on the world's roadways.

PressurePro TPMS sensors screw onto the valve stems of any tires up to 150psi and transmit up to the minute tire pressures to a monitor inside the vehicle. The system monitors up to 34 tire positions and can alert to low pressures at both a 12.5% and 25% pressure loss, allowing the driver an opportunity to rectify the problem before it becomes costly and/or catastrophic.

PressurePro is marketed through their worldwide distributor network. Distributor inquires are welcome.

For additional information, please check our website at www.advantagepressurepro.com.

3M Automotive's new Certified Training Program for Scotchgard Paint Protection Film is quickly gaining momentum with film installers across the country. Hundreds of installers have been certified since the program's inception in March of this year.

3M's new program consists of intensive, hands-on instruction from experienced professional film installers across the country as well as instructional courses on the use of the dealer marketing kit, the warranty process and the Top Installer Program.

According to Theresa Moe, market development administrator for 3M Automotive Division, "The program has helped to establish a scale of measurement that can differentiate trained installers. This differentiation helps build credibility and confidence among dealerships and consumers. It raises the bar. The entire industry benefits from an increase in quality workmanship."

Moe adds that 3M-certified installers receive additional benefits from the program, including qualification to participate in 3M's new Top Installer Program to earn points toward valuable merchandise.

For additional information about 3M's Certified Training Program, please contact: 3M Automotive Division, 888-663-1394, www.3M.com/PaintProtectionFilm

Tim Swallie of Lexington, South Carolina Receives Designation Camping World RV Institute in Bowling Green, Kentucky is the nation's top school for RV service and repair, offering numerous courses and opportunities for RV technicians. The institute boasts the industry's top instructors, a comprehensive curriculum and a hands-on learning environment. The RV Institute has trained many of the nation's leading technicians throughout North America.

During the May graduation exercises, Mr. Tim Swallie of Lexington, South Carolina had the distinction of being honored as the 300th graduate from the Institute. The Institute celebrated their 100th graduate in 2001 having reached 300 graduates, just 4 years later. Mr. Swallie is now among the nation's most advanced, well-trained RV technicians after weeks of extensive, hands-on training.

Mr. Swallie grew up around RVs and has spent much of his time camping in the mountains and along beaches. After learning about the program on the Internet, he decided to attend the Institute in hopes of attaining the necessary knowledge and skills to provide himself with a better career in an industry he was already familiar with and enjoyed. He now plans on working for a dealership to gain hands-on experience, with the hope of owning his own business someday.

One of the strongest features of the Camping World RV Institute is its ability to give personal attention to their students, with class sizes limited to 16 people per class. The nation's top instructors are on-hand to pass on their knowledge of the industry and assist the students in the lab, where most time is spent. Anyone interested in attending Camping World RV Institute can either e-mail rvi@campingworld. com or send written correspondence to: Camping World RV Institute, 134-A Beech Bend Road, Bowling Green, KY 42101. The Institute can also be reached by phone by calling: 1-800-356- 0311.

Valeo presented its latest technology for reducing fuel consumption and pollutant emissions by 20% using an engine cylinder head design that adopts Smart Valve Actuation (SVA) in place of the conventional mechanical operation of engine valves by the cam belt, camshaft and hydraulic cam followers.

“SVA is the first of many innovative systems that Valeo intends to actively develop and market in order to meet increasing demand for reduced fuel consumption and pollutant emissions following the recent acquisition of Johnson Controls’ Engine Electronics Division. Engine management and power electronics are now core technologies for the Group which will drive strong future growth,” said Valeo Chairman and CEO Thierry Morin.

A Brand New Technology: In a camless engine, each engine valve is operated individually by an actuator that is placed on the upper surface of the cylinder head, directly above the valve guides. Each actuator is linked to an engine-mounted Valve Control Unit (VCU) that ensures the optimal positioning of all valves and performs the power drive function.

Significant Benefits for Consumers: By controlling residual gases, minimizing pumping losses and deactivating cylinders and valves, this environmentally friendly technology reduces fuel consump- tion and pollutant emissions by 20%. Consumers will also benefit from enhanced performance and driving comfort, due to an increase in low-end engine torque.

The SVA development program is currently being undertaken with support from several leading car manufacturers and is scheduled for volume production in 2009.