What ever the measures of success might be, one would find that the RV Industry has been, and continues to be, highly successful.  Due to many dedicated folks, modern Manufacturing floors, and up-to-date design and production techniques, the RV Industry continues to pile up an outstanding record of Sales growth.

But this enviable record of growth can beg the question – “What is the sustaining factor in this growth?”

The answer to this question could be answered in several different ways.  But at this point, let me suggest that one answer might be the foresight and determination of the individuals who were the cornerstone founders of the RV Industry.  They truly possessed a vision for success.

While few could argue with this success, it is also possible that this success could place the RV Industry on the downward-trending road that is now being taken by the Automobile Industry.

Take a walk around a large RV Dealership’s Sales area and you cannot avoid the fact that regardless of who manufactured the RV, they all share similar external features.  My Detroit-based Industrial Designer friend likes to refer to this similarity as “Cookie-Cutter” designs.  One point that he is quick to make is that “Cookie-Cutter” designs tend to build BRAND loyalty.  If you don’t believe that statement, just look at the longevity of Airstream’s design.  Many companies would gladly trade 50 percent of their bottom line for a similar Brand loyalty.

But, I ask again, is this design similarity good for the RV Industry?

The title of this article “If it isn’t Broke, Don’t Fix It.” could provide the answer to this question.  We could almost say that this is the motto of the RV Industry.

At this point, my Industrial Designer friend would be quick to make the point that changing a design takes significant capital investment of money, people, and time.  On this point I agree, but a quick look at the Sales volume and production throughput would indicate that this investment is feasible.

I suggest that it is time for a few of the Next Generation of Visionaries to step forward, pick up their crystal balls, and look into what the New Generation of RVs should look like.

They would quickly find that they are not alone in peering into their Crystal Balls.  Many of the high technology companies would be more than willing to stand side to side with them in bringing about a New, fresh look.

What might be the rewards of such an endeavor?  Here are a few…

• A fresh look to a highly successful Industry
• Significant reduction in manufacturing costs….
• Improved resistance to environmental degradation
• Increased appeal to the “Baby Boomer” generation.

 I am sure that there are many more and they remain to be proven.  But the facts are that the highly successful RV Industry could discover a significant design challenge in the future.  Being prepared now seems to be only good sense.

If we agree with Dr. Richard Curtin’s conclusion that “RV shipments will rise 3.5% in 2008, resuming the RV industry’s growth trend since 2001. The leading edge of the baby boom generation has just entered their prime retirement ages, and the number that retires will accelerate over the next decade.  Moreover, the RV industry has been successful in attracting younger buyers”, then we would have to realize that the time is right for a step ahead.

Step forward, Visionaries!

Respectfully,

Tech Support