Coachmen announces record sales at RV trade show

Story based on a press release

ELKHART, Ind., Dec. 9 — Coachmen Industries, Inc., reported today that its sales set new records at the National RV Trade Show held last week in Louisville, Kentucky. Dealer sales for the Coachmen RV Group totaled approximately 3,200 units or over $100 million during the annual three-day show, an increase of 75 percent over last year's record sales.

Nearly half of the models in Coachmen Industries' 40,000 square-foot display were new or improved. For Coachmen RV Company, the Cross Country rear diesel series with full-body paint was a big winner, as were the gas- powered Mirada Class A and the Class C Freedom by Coachmen. The newly introduced Concord( "C+" motorhome, and the Freelander by Coachmen, an entry-level Class C motorhome, also enjoyed robust sales. Coachmen RV Company also demonstrated why it leads the industry in combined travel trailer and fifth wheel shipments, with sales for the Chaparral fifth wheel, and the Captiva and popular Spirit of America travel trailers leading the way.

Georgie Boy Manufacturing introduced its newest Class A designs. The hits of the show were the popular gas models, especially the Pursuit and Landau Class A's with full-body paint. GBM also introduced its first quad-slideout motorhome, a beautifully appointed 40-foot Bellagio built on a raised rail chassis and showcased by handsome full- body paint graphics. A Sony surround sound system, island kitchen, freestanding dinette, Ultraleather chairs, enormous pass-through storage with slideout luggage trays and a powerful 350 HP Cummins rear diesel engine, with an optional 400 HP engine, are just a few of the highlights of this luxury addition to GBM's lineup.

Viking RV also enjoyed success in Louisville with its array of entry-level camping trailers. The Company unveiled the latest addition to its successful Epic) series, the all-new Epic 17.5 Limited Edition. Featuring an E-Z screw drive lift system that makes set-up nearly effortless, this 12-foot model is packed with all the comforts and convenience of larger campers, yet doesn't require a vehicle with a large towing capacity.

Claire C. Skinner, Chairman and CEO of Coachmen Industries, said that 2003 is on pace to be the RV industry's second-best year for shipments in 25 years, a claim few industries can make today. "Retail sales in 2003 have outpaced wholesale shipments for the industry, which means that dealer inventories have been reduced. This, coupled with dealer optimism for 2004, contributed to a very upbeat and optimistic show in Louisville."

"While we are still concerned about prospects for the fourth quarter due to RV supplier shortages and the effect weather conditions may have on our housing operations, the dealers' overwhelmingly positive response last week to the Coachmen RV Group's wide product offering was consistent with their reaction during our summer product shows, and reinforces our confidence in a robust year ahead in 2004 for Coachmen Industries," Skinner concluded.

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