I hat to see another company shut down. The thing that attracted me to Redwood was that they came out with some new ideas instead of building what everyone else was building. In my opinion, for a number of years, the RV builder just added some glitz and glitter and people were free enough with their money that they would buy junk. Now quality is coming into play as well as value for the dollar. In a long run I think all of us buying RV's will win but as I had said before, I still liked the Newmar 5th wheel line and I hate to see them go away.
Over the last several years we've seen several of the better built units shut down:
Carriage
Newmar
Teton
Travel Supreme
DEALER LETTER:
In 2011, Newmar Corporation built 30 units of its fifth wheel brands.
Understanding that our company needs new floorplans, new interior
designs and new exterior paint graphics to even try to grow this volume,
we have been studying the amount of engineering time and resources it
would take to freshen the Kountry Star, X-Aire and Kountry Aire brands
for the 2013 model year.
It has become very apparent to Newmar management that the entire RV
towable market has changed considerably and become more competitive over
the past several years. Newmar’s management team has also come to the
realization that building fifth wheel products on the same production
line with its motor home brands, retailing for as much as $800,000.00,
is no longer a legitimate means by which to participate in the towable
arena.
With all this in mind, Newmar Corporation will cease building its fifth
wheel products at the conclusion of the 2012 model year. Should you have
any retail customers still in the market for a Newmar fifth wheel, the
final production run in which a Newmar fifth wheel could be scheduled
for production is April 25, 2012. That unit would ship to your
dealership around June 8, 2012.
As with all decisions of this nature, this was a difficult choice. After
much analysis, internal discussions and prayer, Newmar’s management
team feels that this is the best road to follow at this time. Rest
assured, Newmar Corporation remains committed to the RV industry and the
gas, diesel and luxury motor home markets.
I thank you, in advance for your understanding and support of this decision.
Respectfully,
John Sammut
V.P. of Sales and Marketing
Newmar Corporation