2010 Model year confusion

[edgray]

In a recent article posted on RV BUSINESS, partially posted below, John Sammut is quoted as saying Newmar's 2010 products will remain unchanged from 2009.

""Newmar Corp.’s 2010 model lineup will duplicate its 2009 offerings, the company’s senior management told members of the ”Newmar Kountry Klub,” the Nappanee, Ind., manufacturer’s owners’ club during a rally Aug. 3-7 at the Elkhart (Ind.) Fairgrounds.""

If this is actually what he said, can someone explain why the entire GRAND STAR product has disappeared from the website? The new website text for 2010 appears to indicate that only the Bay Star & Canyon Star are being offered.

Anybody know what Newmar is actually offering for 2010??

Thanks, ED

[DandS]

As far as I know, the Grand Star is not being offered for 2010. I believe the statement that was made referred to no changes from 09 to 10 on a particular model. However, that isn't exactly true either - my 2010 came with a 2 burner stove where the 2009 came with a 3 burner stove. Guess they have some leeway with what they do and offer.

[Route 66]

Newmar's web site lists what models were carried over for 2010 and is beleieved to be correct. Several models were dropped.

The no change comment refers to the fact no models were redesigned, no new floorplans, no new front and rear caps, no engineering and development costs.

I would expect minor changes to show up.

The brochures have stickers on them indicating they are for 2010 even though they are 2009 brochures.

[DonnaB]

Yes, that is what was said. However, remember that suppliers come and go all the time. We are at Newmar right now and can't get the shower drain screen that came on our 2007. Newmar can't get it any longer. We're looking for salvage supplies now. Atwood is offering a 2 burner after lots of request from customers like us. Newmar has heard people asking for 2 burner and I imagine it is less cost. Sign of the times.

["007"]

Donna check the Vintage forum allot of links to suppliers that may have what you need.

[DonnaB]

Thanks. I'll check it out.

[dockqueen]

We ordered a two burner stove with our '07-more counter space.

[DandS]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonnaB Atwood is offering a 2 burner after lots of request from customers like us. Newmar has heard people asking for 2 burner and I imagine it is less cost. Sign of the times.

Well, nobody asked us and we're not real pleased with a 2 burner when we expected a 3 burner. Probably gonna have to change it out eventually, DW does a lot of cooking !

[DonnaB]

We cook most days as we rarely eat out. Although we have a 3 burner, it is rare that we've had a need for 3 burners at once. Also with the 3 burner you would have to have 3 small pans in order for 3 things to fit at once. You might think about it some more before swapping out.

One of our solutions is to carry a small induction cookplate. It works great for when those rare incidents of needing all 3 burners arise. An advantage is that you can hook it up outdoors when needed and you can take it over to a neighbors when a group meal is the event. Also when you are just needing to boil water, it does the job in 1/4th the time of the LP burner. It does not take much room for storage and has been a great alternative to using 3 burners when 3 pans won't really fit.

[DandS]

Kind of like arguing gas vs electric appliances - If DW prefers a 3 burner that's what I gotta have. She let me buy a new MH and by golly, I will make her happy !!!

[Lee Litchfield]

Ed, Newmar discontinued both the Grand Star and All Star motorhomes for 2010. They also dropped the Kountry Aire 5th wheels. Everything else is pretty much the same as 2009.

Since there weren't nearly as many 2009 models sold as in other years, Newmar decided it didn't make sense to build out all the chassis, fabrics, etc. like they normally do. That's why some years you would see a model change in March or April and other years May or June. It just depended on how brisk sales were. They probably had enough of everything to build 2009's several more months, but all they had to do was make the decision to change the titlework to 2010 at a cutoff date.

No need for expensive redesigns (they normally do one or two lines every 3 or 4 years). It adds value to the coach and allows them to pass on some small price increases. Makes perfect sense and was absolutely the right decision in my opinion.

We finally got our first 2010 today. A 4317 Dutch Aire bath-and-a-half floorplan. We were down to only 4 Newmar diesels, even though we carry 5 Newmar diesel lines. Got a couple more coming in next week.

I've seen several brokerage firm's reports on the RV industry. Sales have been running around 5 to 1 on reorders the past several months. That pace is obviously not sustainable--dealers have to reorder to have something to sell.

Newmar has not had any distressed units (from dealer cancellations or bankrupt dealer buybacks) since February. There are still a lot of Fleetwood and Monaco products out there, but they've been pretty well picked over.

At last count, Newmar had their line running something like 15 out of the last 16 weeks. Most weeks, they have run the line 4 days, but a couple of times they've had enough orders for 5 day work-weeks. Looks like the worst is over. I'm very thankful for 2 strong Amish-owned manufacturers--Jayco and Newmar. The Amish save for the rainy days!

[mercerc44]

They told us at the factory last week that they saved $1 million by using the 09 model info booklets and putting on 2010 stickers. They had some tooling done (money invested) for 2010 changes but decided to not move with the changes at this time.

[Lee Litchfield]

Yes, brochures are very expensive, but necessary.

["007"]

Lee, thanks for the update on Newmar its much appreciated.