Workhorse Shifts Emphasis to Pusher Market

[DriVer]

BREAKING NEWS

By: Bob Ashley
RV Business

Wednesday, November 21, 2007 -- Workhorse Custom Chassis LLC is introducing a 22,000-pound GVWR UFO gas-pusher at the 45th Annual National RV Trade Show that starts, Nov. 27-29, in Louisville, Ky., as the Union City, Ind.-based company begins to emphasize gas- and diesel-pusher chassis versus the front-engine gas-powered W-series rail upon which the company largely built its name over the past seven years ago.

"Workhorse is transiting from a ˜puller' company to a ˜pusher' company for a lot of reasons,"� reports Tony Monda, vice president of sales and marketing, noting that (mostly diesel) pusher chassis now represent nearly 53% of the Class A market. "We see that as a trend in the marketplace that will continue."�

The 22,000-pound GVWR chassis are tailored for 33- to 36-foot, UFO-based, Class A floorplans. "That's the sweet spot in the market, and we didn't have an offering,"� he said.

The transition to being a pusher manufacturer means renewed emphasis on Workhorse's R-series chassis now being built by Custom Chassis Products LLC (CCP), a joint venture between Chicago-based International Truck and Engine Co., Workhorse's parent company, and Monaco Coach Corp., Coburg, Ore.

Workhorse launched the rear-gas UFO pusher chassis rated at 26,000 pounds GVWR in 2006, and plans to introduce a diesel version sometime next summer. And when it is released, Monda adds, it will be powered by an International MaxxForce engine.

During market research to develop the UFO, Monda said Workhorse found that 72% of the motorhome-buying public wanted rear engines, regardless of whether they were gas or diesel. Rear engines, at the same time, offer OEMs wider leeway when developing floorplans. Nevertheless, while moving toward pusher chassis, Workhorse will continue to manufacture the W-series front-engine gas platform in GVWRs of up to 26,000 pounds.

"There will always be a need for front-engine chassis, and we will continue to support that need,"� Monda said.

Meanwhile, Monda added, Workhorse will make exclusive use of the 350-hp Caterpillar C7 engine and a WISE multiplexing electrical system in its existing R-series diesel pusher chassis rated at 28,000 to 32,000 pounds GVWR.

[DriVer]

BREAKING NEWS

By: Bob Ashley
RV Business

Wednesday, November 21, 2007 -- Workhorse Custom Chassis LLC is introducing a 22,000-pound GVWR UFO gas-pusher at the 45th Annual National RV Trade Show that starts, Nov. 27-29, in Louisville, Ky., as the Union City, Ind.-based company begins to emphasize gas- and diesel-pusher chassis versus the front-engine gas-powered W-series rail upon which the company largely built its name over the past seven years ago.

"Workhorse is transiting from a ˜puller' company to a ˜pusher' company for a lot of reasons,"� reports Tony Monda, vice president of sales and marketing, noting that (mostly diesel) pusher chassis now represent nearly 53% of the Class A market. "We see that as a trend in the marketplace that will continue."�

The 22,000-pound GVWR chassis are tailored for 33- to 36-foot, UFO-based, Class A floorplans. "That's the sweet spot in the market, and we didn't have an offering,"� he said.

The transition to being a pusher manufacturer means renewed emphasis on Workhorse's R-series chassis now being built by Custom Chassis Products LLC (CCP), a joint venture between Chicago-based International Truck and Engine Co., Workhorse's parent company, and Monaco Coach Corp., Coburg, Ore.

Workhorse launched the rear-gas UFO pusher chassis rated at 26,000 pounds GVWR in 2006, and plans to introduce a diesel version sometime next summer. And when it is released, Monda adds, it will be powered by an International MaxxForce engine.

During market research to develop the UFO, Monda said Workhorse found that 72% of the motorhome-buying public wanted rear engines, regardless of whether they were gas or diesel. Rear engines, at the same time, offer OEMs wider leeway when developing floorplans. Nevertheless, while moving toward pusher chassis, Workhorse will continue to manufacture the W-series front-engine gas platform in GVWRs of up to 26,000 pounds.

"There will always be a need for front-engine chassis, and we will continue to support that need,"� Monda said.

Meanwhile, Monda added, Workhorse will make exclusive use of the 350-hp Caterpillar C7 engine and a WISE multiplexing electrical system in its existing R-series diesel pusher chassis rated at 28,000 to 32,000 pounds GVWR.

[DriVer]

For more information on the Caterpillar C7 RV Engine click on this link.

Caterpillar C7 RV Engine w/ Acert Technology (PDF)