|
Coachmen previews 2004 RVs to dealers The following is based on a press release issued by the Coachmen Company. MIDDLEBURY, Ind., Aug. 25 —The "Wow! Factor" was on full display at the Coachmen Recreational Vehicle Company's recent dealer seminar in Dallas. Coachmen introduced its 2004 product lineup to an enthusiastic reception by its dealers. Revamped interiors and exteriors, innovative features, dealer-requested product upgrades and a hot new Class "C+" motorhome —the Concord — were all greeted with thumbs-up by those in attendance. "Everything looked gorgeous. They really hit the nail on the head this year," said Marc LaBrecque, President of Diamond RV Centre in Whatfield, Mass. "In my 20 years with this company, this is the most positive reception our dealers have ever had to the company as a whole," said Michael R. Terlep, President of Coachmen Recreational Vehicle Company. Terlep said Coachmen listened to product suggestions from a variety of sources, including its retail customers, its dealer council and members of the Coachmen Caravan Camping Club, the nation's largest manufacturer-sponsored RV club. The company then challenged its product development and design teams based on the information they received. The new Concord garnered the most favorable attention and created the most excitement. A mini-motorhome without the normal front overhead bunk area, the Concord is expected to appeal to couples and Class A aficionados. Its curved, eye-catching design includes a slideout, a high soft-touch ceiling, a front entertainment center with a 24" TV and DVD player, and five large exterior storage compartments, including Coachmen's ample and innovative Stow-n-Go garage-like compartment in the rear with built-in shelves. There were many other models that had Coachmen RV dealers fired up, such as the new Class C Freelander that features a king bed. A long-time sales stalwart, the Catalina travel trailer and fifth wheel, was completely revamped inside with a new look. The Sportscoach Elite diesel pusher earned praise for its one-piece molded fiberglass roof, triple slideout floor plans and King Dome in-motion satellite system. "A king bed in a Class C is great to see," said Johnson. Throughout the seminar, Coachmen dealers continued to be impressed by the features and technology on display throughout the 2004 lineup. For example, the Sony Dream System speakers are recessed in the ceiling for a clean look, and include a patent-pending Coachmen design innovation that lets each speaker be rotated 180 degrees for listening enjoyment. Redefining dinette seats, the Stanford and Boston dinettes offer the residential appeal of a sofa with a comfortable innerspring seating design. Arched cathedral windows, electronic fireplaces, hidden safes, Site Rite Dash for increased driver visibility, soft-touch ceilings — dealers found something to like in every model. To further improve market focus, Terlep also reported on Coachmen's increased production capacity, with two new plants now in operation. A state- of-the-art 127,000-sq. ft. Class C plant on the company's Middlebury, Ind., complex also features over 24,000 sq. ft. of mezzanines for offline manufacturing processes, such as assembling cabinets, kitchen units and other modules, providing improved material flow and manufacturing processes. Cranes will lower finished sections for installation in the motorhomes. In Fitzgerald, Georgia, a new 100,000-sq. ft. towable plant recently began production. Located approximately one mile from Coachmen's existing plant in Fitzgerald, the Georgia Division will produce all nine lines of Coachmen and Shasta brand travel trailers and fifth wheels. "While many industries have been slashing jobs and operating their factories well below capacity, demand for Coachmen's RVs has been increasing. The timing is perfect for adding more production capacity as our momentum in the market continues to gain speed, and these expansion plans will nurture continued growth for Coachmen, as we fully intend to build upon this momentum. The additional production capacity of these two plants will enable us to continue to increase our market share, while better serving the needs of our customers," said Terlep. Coachmen Recreational Vehicle Company, LLC markets travel trailers, fifth wheel trailers, class A and class C motorhomes. A subsidiary of Elkhart, Indiana-based Coachmen Industries, Inc., Coachmen RV Company was founded in 1964 in Middlebury, Ind., where its headquarters and largest manufacturing facility are located. Manufacturing sites are also located in Goshen, Ind., and Fitzgerald, Georgia.
|
