This year the annual California RV Show was the worst one I have been to in the past 15 years. The show dates this year are Oct. 16th to 25th. I assume it is the terrible economy, but the show was a big let down. For instance, Country Coach only had two RVs there and they were sporting the new Veranda (patio) models only and Newmar never even showed up. The RVs that were there were way overpriced, which truly supprised me since I thought they would have dropped the prices to be more competitive in this economy. They only had one 1 hr. RV lecture each day from 1:00 PM to 2:00PM and normally they would have multiple lectures each day.
Did anyone else go to this RV show this year? Were you also disappointed in what was available?
I drive by numerous RV dealers at least once a month. Up until last year their lots were crammed full of RVs.
Slowly over the past year the lots have fewer and fewer RVs. Some of the lots are still advertising brand new 2007 models. So I'm sure they have cut way back on the orders for 2010 models.
Two have gone out of business completely.
So I'm not surprised the California RV show was way off from what it has been in the past.
We sold jewelry and tools at the show for several years beginning in 2002 and their were times when the crowds were so heavy folks couldn't move past our booth. Back then, the Country Coach sales area would have at least 8 models to look at, with one high end model where you would have topre-qualify before they would allow you to walk through it.
It's a sad time for the industry, just like back in the 70's with the gas shortages. Many manufacturers and dealers have or will go out of business before this mess turns around.
We'll probably see an influx of smaller RVs with fewer standard features.
ersanta said
10:24 AM Oct 23, 2009
We went to the Pomona RV show on Wednesday and have to agree with you that it has been the smallest show in over a decade. The Big Tent, which is usually packed with vendors, was only 50 percent occupied. I spoke with the ticket taker at the gate and he said last year the event was twice as big.
I saw SOLD signs on some smaller towables and lower end motor homes, but not to many SOLD signs on the $300,000 plus RVs.. On the way to the show, I passed a couple of former RV Dealerships and found them empty.
These high end manufacturers must start to realize that these drive off the lot depreciating price motorhomes that they are trying to sell for $250.000, you can now buy a stick built home in California for the same price.
The good news is that the weekday admission price was only $1.00.
Santa Nellie
Tony and Eileen said
10:25 AM Oct 23, 2009
My husband and I went to the RV show last week and we thought there was quite a large selection. Now, having said that, it depends on what type of RV you're looking for. We like the Nu-Wa Hitchhikers, in fact, we even ordered one from our favorite sales lady, Alexis, who we bought our first one from 4 yrs. ago. We went during the week and there were plenty of people looking. I can't speak for past RV shows, haven't been to one in years, but we were not disappointed at the selections that we were interested in, especially during this economic turmoil.
Did anyone else go to this RV show this year? Were you also disappointed in what was available?
Here is a link to the 57th Annual California RV Show at the Fairplex in Pomona, CA.
Sergeant Major