New Flying Cloud 2009 - Page 2

Al - K4GLU · 05-05-2008, 05:07 PM

Thanks Airhog. Last June when I took the factory tour they told us the 20' was their 3rd best seller and was rapidly overtaking the 19' Bambi for 2nd place. Not sure it's still as popular as it was but couldn't believe it had fallen far enough to be discontinued.

2airishuman · 05-06-2008, 03:54 PM

thanks for the pics g'...

it looks VERY familiar and with good reason.

having received a few notes asking 'wadda ya think', here she goes...

first some ground was covered in this recent thread and the issues all still exist....

2009 Flying Cloud

so now as buyers, owners, stock holders and folks who CARE about the product, brand and company direction....

WHAT in WALLY'S NAME are they smokin' in jackson center!!!!

lets review...

1. perhaps the most successful complete model line in recent history (with blips from the ceeceedeez)...

-is the safari editions from the last 8-9 years ...

2. the safari name was already a 'reintroduced' name for this run of units...

3. they've managed to sell significant numbers of plain jane safaris...

-as well as 'special models' with a string of initials and REAL enhancements...

4. so for 09 they tweak the COMPLETE LINE by changing the names on a dozen or so lengths and models...

5. BUT they don't drop the safari name, no they move it to a completely different trailer line...

6. the new trailer line (lighter, narrower, smaller, fewer features) introduced last year as the safari sport.

7. these 'safari sports' have moved slowly (for a variety of reasons) but DOES represent a real product change,

8. and has SO much better potential than the base crap while being closer in heritage to the a/s of old...

9. SO WHY DIDN'T THEY JUST RENAME the safari sports as the FLYING CLOUD LINE...

10. perhaps no 1 in the meeting thought of this (do they even have a marketing director now?)...OR

11. they were all in a hurry 2 get 2 lunch at the hobo inn or down to the pizza place for the 'all u can eat lunch buffet!

12. as a buyer of a recent safari se, ss, fb, ls, bvd, ltd, std.... i'd be VERY annoyed...

13. BASICALLY all the recent safaris are NOW muddled by this name change,

just imagine trying to sell YOUR used one to a newcomer...

-"wasn't this model discontinued ?"

-"how is this different than the flying cloud ?"

-"this doesn't look anything like the new safaris at the dealers ?"

-"i looked at prices for new safaris and you want MORE for a used one ?"

-"so this is sorta like an argosy, right ?"

IF they really wanted to use the fc name the safari sport (and what it could become) is the ideal place try it...

this may turn out to be a much bigger issue than the brainless wb' name shuffle, or the bc line or fuel prices...

so along with some engineers and designers, it may be time for management improvements at the mother ship...

cheers
2air'

**overlander63** · 05-06-2008, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cameront120

I like it. Can those window latches be used as a replacement on the 70's models? They look similar.

AFAIK, they are the same from 1970 or so, through present production.

craftsman · 05-06-2008, 06:42 PM

So what makes it a "Flying Cloud"? Looks like a Safari to me? Must be slow at these Airstream board meetings. Looks like they just pulled a popular name from the past and slapped it on the Safari. I'd really like to hear the reasoning behind this because it looks like smoke and mirrors. A new water pump and the elmination of some carpeting.... am I missing something here?

yukionna · 05-07-2008, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craftsman

So what makes it a "Flying Cloud"? Looks like a Safari to me? Must be slow at these Airstream board meetings. Looks like they just pulled a popular name from the past and slapped it on the Safari. I'd really like to hear the reasoning behind this because it looks like smoke and mirrors. A new water pump and the elmination of some carpeting.... am I missing something here?

Airstream is always re-using and shuffling around floorplans and model names too!

craftsman · 05-07-2008, 06:57 AM

Marketing ploy. Put a new name and badge on something that already exists and create new sales excitement.They don't do any more work in creating this NEW line other than what would normally be done in a new model year, a cosmetic change here and there and what do you have ? " Flying Cloud" What a pathetic disappointment. At least they could have done the 13 panels. Something to make it stand out and be different. Oh ... wait a minute, that would have required some real creativity and a little more work. Nothing new here.

safari62 · 05-07-2008, 08:58 AM

Once again maybe i care too much where and what the Airstream company does with it's money and in what direction it seems to be taking the brand.

I agree with 2Air on every point made except confusing a newcomer with model changes. It takes years to be as confused as I am about what exactly is the Safari line. Was there not a Safari/Bambi model at on time. How goofy was that?

The Flying Cloud.
What a great name. From the great sailing ship and suggesting lightness and speed with the ability to blend into the landscape with it's sleak silver exterior. Always built on a 22' frame with an interior planned for two to go to the ends of the earth in search of adventure.

So the Airstream Marketing Plan seems to be:
1. Build the Base Camp targeted to non camping hipsters that like to go 4-wheeling and price it in the mid 20k range. No Takers.

2. Discontinue the Safari line and rename it FLYING CLOUD. Add20k to the retail price. Add Safari Sport line with three cheap windows, toxic fabric walls and discount a few thousand for entry level buyers.

3. Design and build lighter weight trailers with rust proof light weight frames, add modern and spacious to the interiors in compact and narrower bodies, ship them overseas and do not offer to sell them in the US.

4. Continue to build floors with water absorbing materials assuring a vigorous aftermarket for restorers for the next fifty years.

There is a STORM CLOUD forming over Jackson Center. There seems to be a disconnect between where the rv industry is doing and what us little campers need. Just like the auto industry and even the real estate market.

Build bigger, cut production and raise the price.

urbanfood · 05-07-2008, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by safari62

The Flying Cloud.
What a great name. From the great sailing ship and suggesting lightness and speed with the ability to blend into the landscape with it's sleak silver exterior. Always built on a 22' frame with an interior planned for two to go to the ends of the earth in search of adventure.

well said

maerix · 05-07-2008, 05:57 PM

Bien Dit !

wheel interested · 05-09-2008, 12:28 PM

I just found out about the 2009 Flying Cloud today, don't know how I missed two threads on it but perhaps I thought it was a vintage Flying Cloud. Maybe the mods will combine these two threads.

Anyway I posted some of Gene's pictures on the other thread since I read that thread first and hadn't seen the pictures on this thread yet. DOH!
2009 Flying Cloud

but also wanted to add that Airstream is running a special on the Safari Sports.

TIMEMACHINE · 05-09-2008, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craftsman

So what makes it a "Flying Cloud"? Looks like a Safari to me? Must be slow at these Airstream board meetings. Looks like they just pulled a popular name from the past and slapped it on the Safari. I'd really like to hear the reasoning behind this because it looks like smoke and mirrors. A new water pump and the elmination of some carpeting.... am I missing something here?

As I suggested on another thread (before it got yanked), I think it is smoke and mirrors, the question is, why? Could it be that since the "Safari" models were by far the largest selling product, it also was by numbers the most affected by the poor quality of recent years? Get rid of the Safari name and you limit the market's perception of a questionable quality history.