It looks like Forest River is buying Coachmen Industries which includes the pop up mfr - Viking RV
Dave,
I suppose given our economic situation that there may be more mergers ahead. Do you think some good long term RV companies will have to close their doors for good? I hope not.
There's just no lending money available for RVs & boats. Credit giants GE Capital & Bank of America have pulled out of the RV maket for both dealers and consumers forcing mfrs and dealers to decide if it makes any sense to operate in the red when there's no relief in sigh. Several RV makers and dealers have closed but most are cutting way back, almost into hibernation until the credit crunch passes. This also trickles down to the companies that supply component parts and raw materials.
This will pass and there will be fewer RV companies which probably means higher prices because the demand will be higher than the supply for a while.
The destination campgrounds are doing pretty good, but the travel parks that cater to the RVers moving along the interstates have seen a noticeable decrease in their campsite occupancies.
I think we'll see a surge in little camper sales this spring. I know we've seen a nice increase in our subscription sales which is unusual for this time of year. I think people are looking for new ways to recreate.
Just to add to Dave's post about GE, we've had two dealerships That I know of in the area where we watched their entire inventory being hauled off back to the manufacturers due to GE pulling their floor plan. They were only given 48 hours to arrange new floor plan financing and neither could find any.
One managed to arrange a bridge loan for the used units on their lot and hopes to continue operation as a consignment/used RV/service dealer. The other just had to close the doors and lay everyone off.
Here in KY GE pulled financing for a new elec car co they were to build a new plant and hire about 150 . :mad: