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Manufacturers Announce new UFO Products 12/20/2006 The Louisville RVIA Convention presented several differences in position regarding the implementation of the new Workhorse UFO. Just exactly which viewpoint will win in my opinion is obvious and I fail to see the logic where the UFO will not prevail as a clear winner at the end of day. The biggest announcement was that Winnebago Industries introduced and is offering for sale by spring of 2007, 2 additional rear engined class A motorhome products. At the unveiling, Mr. Bruce Hertzke, Chairman and CEO of Winnebago Industries presented the RV Industry with its latest strategic move to capture more market share in rear engine powered motorhomes. Product launch announcement on Tuesday morning at the Winnebago Industries display The 2008 Winnebago Destination and the 2008 Itasca Latitude both feature as standard equipment the 26K GVW Workhorse UFO chassis. The 28K GVW Freightliner XC is also offered as an optional package on both of the new class A offerings. What is remarkable is how quickly some manufacturers are willing to advance their product lines while others seem to be mired in the past. In this time of slow sales and uncertainty, it isn’t altogether unexpected that OEMs would have to move in a totally new direction and the visionaries in those companies saw that a change is needed. Market research has clearly shown that the needs of the American buying public are clear and they are looking for real change in what they buy to meet their needs. OEM companies like Forest River, Monaco Coach & Holiday Rambler and now Winnebago Industries have placed themselves in the leading edge of motorhome technology and development. The product planning teams in these companies can see a clear future for their particular companies and they see benefit for both their operating interests and the fulfillment of their client’s expectations. Bruce Hertzke speaks directly with customers Greeting and shaking hands with customers inside the new Itasca Latitude, Mr. Hertzke took the time to speak with his clients and to show them the future in motorhome technology. While working the convention floor I made my way over to the Fleetwood Industries display area to see what was new over there. In the iRV2 RV Industry News I put up a press release from Fleetwood about their new X2 product line including both press and live pictures. Visiting aboard the new X2 was unlike other motorhomes that I have gone through but this motorhome is task built for the toy hauler generation. While reviewing the coach I happened to hear a comment from a Fleetwood customer who asked a company representative “Is this available of the Workhorse UFO?” The immediate reply from Mr. Luc Van Herle was that, “It’s a very small niche” and that Fleetwood wasn’t building on the UFO. 2007 Fleetwood X2 “The Future” on a 07 Workhorse W24 with new cool pack and instrument panel Meanwhile over at the Monaco and Holiday Rambler display, apparent were brochures and banners hailing the new floorplans that they would soon be offering to their buyers built on the Workhorse UFO. Monaco wasn’t able to bring their new 37 foot floorplan to the show but they are anxiously looking forward to an early 07 product viewing. The Forest River display featuring the Georgetown SE UFO was crowded and Mr. Tom Lincoln the Workhorse Northeast Regional Sales Manager was present to answer questions about the Workhorse UFO. What was remarkable at this display was the price of the Georgetown SE UFO product. Leaving no doubt in a customer’s mind where the best price point in the RV Industry is, Forest River customers can buy into UFO technology very reasonably. 2007 Forest River Georgetown SE On the Four Winds team, Jon Krider said that they had measured the chassis and they are considering the use of the UFO as soon as the conditions were right for them. Obviously we can see where the two big dogs are at odds with one another about what’s going to work for the RV buying public given that both manufacturers build using Workhorse chassis products. I will say that at the end of the day that Mr. Van Herle’s comments will no doubt fall in line with the biggest 20th century blooper where the major headline of the day read, “Dewey WINS!”
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