What's In Store For Road Master Chassis's Now?

[Lug_Nut]

With the pending change of International's take over of the chassis production, what changes do you for see? IFS is a definate. 4 jack set ups?
Should be interesting and may be very beneficial for Monaco.

[Roland]

Did I miss something? I thought that International was only supplying gas chassis for one line in Indiana.

Green lights and soft breezes,

[Jestme13]

I can see them helping out Newmar next.
I just don't see Monaco needing any help with their outstanding Roadmaster chassis.

[Richard and Babs and a Bob Tail Cat]

At the Monaco Eastern Homecoming Rally in Orlando last week they stated that the Monaco products built in Colburg will have no chassis changes at this time. The main change is the purchasing power will increase over ten times decreasing chassis costs resulting in a "price decrease". We shall see.

[Jestme13]

yea sure, I bet they will.

[Lug_Nut]

International is finalizing a deal whereby a new company called Custom Chassis will take over the Elkhart Roadmaster chassis plant. In the new structure International will have the controlling 51% share with 49% with Monaco.

[edgray]

Quote:

I can see them helping out Newmar next.

STEVE: International helping Newmar-how so? ED

[Lug_Nut]

For those that do not know, Navistar, International Truck Diesel also owns Workhorse which they purchasede in '05. Now if this deal with Monaco is completed they will own the majority of the new company that will manufacture the DP chassis's. Will Road Master chassis's be replaced by these? Yes, as they will take over the plant in Elkhart upon completion of the deal.

[pipedream2]

As I understod when I was In Elkhart in November the Windsor Dynasty Executive and Signature are all built in Colburg along with the RR8R RR10R and 10s chassis and ther was no talk of any change there

[The Shadow]

Here is the news release by Monaco on its corporate investor web site.
-----------------
News Releases


Print Version
Monaco Coach Corporation Signs Definitive Agreement with International Truck and Engine Corporation for Chassis Manufacturing Joint Venture
COBURG, Ore., Jan. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Monaco Coach Corporation (NYSE: MNC), one of the nation's leading manufacturers of recreational vehicles, today announced it has signed a definitive agreement to form a joint venture with International Truck and Engine Corporation to manufacture rear engine diesel chassis.



Under the joint venture agreement, Monaco Coach Corporation and International will own 49 percent and 51 percent, respectively, of the newly formed company called Custom Chassis Products, LLC. Initial plans call for the joint venture to manufacture more than 5,000 diesel chassis in the first year.

"The opportunity to team up our best-in-class chassis with the resources of International Truck and Engine will allow Monaco Coach to fine tune what we are already building and grow our business with additional one-of-a-kind chassis designs," said Kay Toolson, Chairman and CEO of Monaco Coach Corporation.

Tom Cellitti, Vice President and General Manager of Medium Vehicle Center for International Truck and Engine, stated, "This exciting development further strengthens International's commitment and capabilities within the RV market. The acquisition of Workhorse in late 2005, coupled with this announcement, positions the company as a true full line supplier of chassis to the RV market."

The transaction, which will be subject to customary closing conditions, is expected to close in February, and will be immediately accretive to Monaco Coach Corporation. The joint venture will begin production in February, and Monaco Coach Corporation will lease its 210,000 square foot Roadmaster chassis plant, located in Elkhart, Ind. to the joint venture.

About International Truck and Engine Corporation

International Truck and Engine Corporation produces IC brand school buses, school bus chassis, mid-range diesel engines, International brand medium and heavy trucks, and severe service vehicles. International also provides parts and service sold under the International(R) brand. International is a subsidiary of Navistar International Corporation (NYSE: NAV). For additional information call Roy Wiley 630-753-2627.

About Monaco Coach Corporation

Dedicated to quality and service, Monaco Coach Corporation is one of the nation's leading manufacturers of motorized and towable recreational vehicles. Headquartered in Coburg, Oregon, with substantial manufacturing facilities in Indiana, Monaco Coach employs approximately 6,000 people. The Company offers entry-level priced towable RVs up to custom made luxury recreational vehicle models under the Monaco, Holiday Rambler, Safari, Beaver, McKenzie, R-Vision and Dodge brand names. Monaco Coach maintains RV service centers in Harrisburg, Ore., Elkhart, Ind., and Wildwood, Fla.

Ranked as the number one manufacturer of diesel powered motorhomes, Monaco Coach is a leader in innovative RVs designed to meet the needs of a broad range of customers with varied interests. Monaco Coach Corporation trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "MNC," and the Company is included in the S&P Small-Cap 600 stock index. For additional information about Monaco Coach Corporation, please visit www.monaco-online.com or www.trail-lite.com.
The statements above regarding Monaco Coach Corporation's expectations with regard to the joint venture, including the anticipated closing and commencement of production, production expectations, and the immediate accretive nature of the transaction to Monaco Coach Corporation, are forward- looking statements subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from these statements, including failure of the joint venture to achieve anticipated production volumes and/or cost savings and failure of the parties to satisfy one or more closing conditions and to close the transaction.

CONTACT: Craig Wanichek
Director of Investor Relations
Monaco Coach Corporation
(541) 681-8029
craig.wanichek@monacocoach.com

SOURCE Monaco Coach Corporation
01/25/2007
/CONTACT: Craig Wanichek, Director of Investor Relations of Monaco Coach
Corporation, +1-541-681-8029, craig.wanichek@monacocoach.com/
/Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19991018/MONACO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com/
/Web site: http://www.trail-lite.com /
/Web site: http://www.monaco-online.com /
(MNC NAV)

CO: Monaco Coach Corporation; Navistar International Corporation;
International Truck and Engine Corporation; Custom Chassis Products, LLC.
ST: Oregon, Indiana
IN: AUT TRN MAC
SU: JVN

CM
-- LATH027 --
4188 01/25/2007 06:00 EST http://www.prnewswire.com

fixed logo

[Jestme13]

Quote:

STEVE: International helping Newmar-how so? ED

ED: Continuous Improvement, imagine the shot in the arm from the Navistar Engineering Group.

Yup, contiuous improvement

[Lug_Nut]

Monaco has now completed the deal and International is to start immediately with the manufacturing of the chassis's.

[The Shadow]

Quote:

Originally posted by Lug_Nut: Monaco has now completed the deal and International is to start immediately with the manufacturing of the chassis's.

Is that a completely accurate statement? The Roadmaster assets have been transferred into a new company owned 49/51 by Monaco and International and IT will be producing chassis in the plant used by Roadmaster and leased to the new joint venture company.

Is there any reason to believe there are ANY immediate changes in the RM chassis being produced? Frankly, I doubt it. We will likely not see many changes until the next model year - and anyone who knows lead times knows that those changes are usually locked in by now.

[Lug_Nut]

I agree, I think changes will at first be slow, but in time I would think we will see IFS and like features. Additionally I would think they will try to increase their chassis market completing with Spartan and Freightliner for other MH manufacturers.