The resilience of the RV industry  -  Roaming Times

Roaming Times home page Subscribe to Roaming Times newsletter RV reviews Links to other Roaming Times sections Links to RV-related services and products Roaming Times - now combined with RVing Times - RV resources and links to other sections on Roaming Times



   

"The RV industry’s resilience and “heart” in the face of difficult economic times"

"The RV industry has survived tough times before, and historically, the industry recovers from such down times by coming back stronger than ever"...

RVIA logo
RVIA press release - December 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.

Hosted by RVIA Chairman Jim Sheldon, the kickoff event to the 46th National RV Trade Show featured a detailed assessment of the industry's future by RVIA President Richard Coon.

In a presentation titled “Straight From the Heart,” Coon acknowledged the difficulties the industry currently faces while encouraging the crowd to remain optimistic. Coon stressed that the RV industry has survived tough times before, and historically, the industry recovers from such down times by coming back stronger than ever.

Coon urged the industry to prepare now for the market’s eventual recovery, saying, “RV manufacturers need to press forward with their plans for the RV market of tomorrow by designing exciting and innovative products, adding more lightweight vehicles to their product lines and offering more green vehicles.”

Go RVing Coalition Co-Chairmen Don Walter and Tom Stinnett then took the stage with RVIA Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Gary LaBella for a presentation titled “Heartening Words from Go RVing,” which emphasized the national advertising campaign’s continued success in communicating its messages to consumers, even in stormy economic times.

The industry coalition announced the addition of new value messages and unveiled print ads that have been retooled to put the spotlight on the affordability of RV travel. Go RVing Coalition Co-Chair Tom Stinnett said, “A new slogan - 'Go Affordably. Go RVing,' will set the tone for our 2009 print and Internet ad campaign. Because no matter how people today may be yearning for the intangibles that make RVing so special, what’s really going to convince them to buy now is knowing they’ll be saving money as a result.”

In “A Heart-to-Heart Talk with RVIA Public Relations,” RVIA Public Relations Committee Chairman B.J. Thompson joined LaBella to offer perspectives on what has undeniably been a difficult year for the industry. They noted that new studies commissioned by RVIA this year found RV vacations to be both more affordable and "greener" than many other types of travel - which helped maintain the industry's positive image. LaBella said, "Our research helped us make an extremely important point to the media - that RV sales are down because of external forces beyond the industry’s control, not because RVs are becoming unpopular.”

LaBella and Thompson reviewed several issues that could have – but didn’t – critically injure the RV industry. The media-hyped “staycation” trend never caught on, and high gas prices didn’t stop RVers from traveling – they simply adjusted by staying closer to home. Overall, despite negative outside forces, the efforts of RVIA’s PR team ensured that RVing’s reputation has remained unblemished among consumers, a fact which positions the industry to return to growth when the economy improves.

"The industry need to add more lightweight vehicles to their product lines and offer more green vehicles"?

What do you think?  Read RoTi readers' comments below and add your own opinion ...

READERS' COMMENTS
(Latest comments first)

What do you think? - add your comments here  
  
authorcomments
John AThe RV industry will recover I guess, but when? And how will RV manufacturers find the money to "press forward with their plans for the RV market of tomorrow by designing exciting and innovative products"
Dennis MyhreIn 2009 and beyond, the buying decision of consumers will be based upon research of quality and safe design, and not simply "eye candy." Once the RV industry recognizes that fact, interest in RVing will bounce back. It isn't the cost of gas or fuel, nor the economy, that drives buying decisions today. I believe new buyers have heard so many horror stories about the poor quality and poor safety of RV products, which are true, that they do not want to throw their dollars away. We need Japan to start building quality RV's...
Pro Green - Go CleanThe organic/green industry is growing by approximately 20-25% a year (you can research it on the internet) because we don't want to be made ill by harmful chemicals, nor do we wish to destroy our environment, and we are making healthier choices for ourselves and our families across the board. One of the reasons we go RVing, I believe, is to get out into the fresh air in free open spaces. Why then would we choose (if we knew) a toxic environment in the very vehicle we use to get to these pristine healthy (rapidly disappearing) locations? RV sales may be slow at the moment, because of the high price of fuel, but would that be the case if we had cost effective alternative fuel vehicles to choose from? It's time for RV manufacturers to wake up and smell the fresh air and make vehicles that support HEALTH - ours and the Earth's! What do you think?
Bob ARVs are improving, but I think most manufacturers really haven't even begun to address the subject. They rely on the engine manufacturer to deal with emmisions of course but they also should be looking more at the materials they use and solar power and energy conservation.

latest RoTi RV reviews
Monaco Montclair class B+ motorhome 2010"Looking for a compact RV with a price tag to match, or a sleek motorhome that offers luxury amenities and high style? Montclair is all that, plus a bit more."
Winnebago ERA class B motorhome 2010 - special floorplanWinnebago introduce a floorplan for individuals with special mobility concerns
Coleman Travel Trailer, Ultra-Lites and Fifth Wheel RVs 2010"For camping & outdoor enthusiasts looking for an affordable RV that is built to last - includes many amenities typically charged by other manufacturers as an upgrade"
Holiday Rambler Savoy LX travel trailer 2010Quality and good value. Designed to be towed by a car, van or pickup with all the comforts of home for weekend getaways, family vacations or longer...
Holiday Rambler Savoy LX fifth wheel 2010"Unbeatable Holiday Rambler quality, signature styling and roomy floorplans. Lightweight, easy to tow, and a very friendly price tag"
12345678910...

latest RVing news and articles
If you rent an RV, you MUST return it - a cautionary tale...A man was sentenced to three years in prison for failing to return an $80,000 RV he had rented - The Kansas City Star article
Wholesale RV Shipments Up 116% "Evidence continues to mount that 2010 will be a year of recovery for the RV industry" - RVIA press release with RoTi links and RV reviews
Monaco RV to export to China Monaco RV will be exporting the Monaco Montclair Class B+ motorhome to China - press release with link to Montclair review
RV Mall selling travel trailers in large quantities FEMA trailers are selling from just $8,999. Buy or sell your new or used RV online, hassle free - RVPR press release
2010 ERA class B motorhome - special floorplan for individuals with special mobility concernsSpecial floorplan for individuals with special mobility concerns - press release
12345678910...

  

Copyright 1999-2009 Roaming Times.  All rights reserved. Contact us. Terms of service.  Site Map.  About Us.  Corporate address: Roaming Times, PO Box 7050, Cave Creek, AZ 85337