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lewster · 09-24-2012, 07:02 PM

Thought some might find this article interesting.........

Airstream Interstate Leads Class B Coach Sales
Print
September 24, 2012 by RV Business

Airstream's Interstate Class B
Airstream Inc. announced the brand’s popular Airstream Interstate was once again the No. 1 selling Class B motorhome model in the U.S. for the first seven months of 2012, according to Statistical Surveys Inc.
The Jackson Center, Ohio-based company said in a press release that from January through July, Airstream grew its market share in the touring coach segment by 45%, surpassing the reported growth of 27% for Class B vans for the same time period.
Airstream Interstate unit sales for the first seven months of 2012 increased nearly 85% over 2011, a year that Airstream also claimed top-selling honors. The company attributes its continued achievement to a slight uptick in the economy as well as customer demand for the quality and design found in the Interstate’s Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis.
“The ongoing momentum and interest in the Interstate has been driven by our premium take on product design,” said Airstream CEO and President Bob Wheeler. “While we may be most famous for our travel trailers, the same principles of design, quality and innovation make the Interstate stand out from the crowd.

Lily&Me · 09-24-2012, 07:05 PM

Hmmmm, somehow I'm not surprised.

Maggie

CanoeStream · 09-24-2012, 07:36 PM

Could be I guess. Two weeks ago I was camping in Grand Marais, MN, when a groups.yahoo rally pulled in -- about 3 dozen Winnebago View/Itasca Navions pulled in. License plates were from midwest states & a few from Ontario. There is competition out there.

xrvr · 09-25-2012, 04:42 AM

The views, etc are not class b, they are class c. Class b have no modification to van exterior body. No slides or extended width. Class b are built using a van, not a cab and chassis . Cab and chassis rvs are class a. Modified van bodies are class c or incorrectly called b plus. Jim

Protagonist · 09-25-2012, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zigzagguzzi

The views, etc are not class b, they are class c. Class b have no modification to van exterior body. No slides or extended width. Class b are built using a van, not a cab and chassis . Cab and chassis rvs are class a. Modified van bodies are class c or incorrectly called b plus. Jim

There's still a lot of competition out there for the Interstate, within Sprinter-based Class B. Before deciding on the Interstate, I test-drove a Winnebago ERA and a Roadtrek Adventurous, and checked out product literature for the Great West Legend and Pleasure-Way Plateau. Without exception, price was lower, but so was quality.

xrvr · 09-25-2012, 06:18 AM

I agree the Interstate is number one, just pointing out the differences. Jim

Protagonist · 09-25-2012, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zigzagguzzi

I agree the Interstate is number one, just pointing out the differences. Jim

And I was just pointing out that, for the same base van (Mercedes Benz Sprinter 3500) it appears that most buyers are willing to pay more to get a better-quality interior.

No matter who makes the conversion van, the logo everyone sees on a Sprinter is the honkin' big Merecedes logo in the middle of the grille, not the discrete RV conversion company logos on the sides and rear. I've lost track of the number of times fellow campers have approached me, saying, "Wow! I didn't know Mercedes makes motorhomes!"

So, given that the public perception of a late-model (2010 and later) Sprinter is that it's a Mercedes, the interior has to look like it belongs in a Mercedes, too. Airstream seems to be the only conversion van maker to recognize the fact, and have interior design that really looks like it belongs in a "luxury" van.

Maybe things were different when the Sprinters all had Freightliner or Dodge grilles and logos and the overall impression of Sprinters was utilitarian rather than luxurious.

xrvr · 09-25-2012, 03:03 PM

my dodge grill and logos were the first thing I changed on my interstate. I think it was about 300 dollars fot the grill and name tags. I sure miss that thing. Jim

73shark · 09-26-2012, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zigzagguzzi

The views, etc are not class b, they are class c. Class b have no modification to van exterior body. No slides or extended width. Class b are built using a van, not a cab and chassis . Cab and chassis rvs are class a. Modified van bodies are class c or incorrectly called b plus. Jim

I thought an RV built on a cab & chassis was a Class C and Class A started out as strictly a rolling chassis w/o any cab or body.

lewster · 09-26-2012, 06:41 PM

Any cab/chassis combo is by definition a class 'C'. This also includes the new Super C class built on 40,000 lb. Freightliner cab/rail chassis.

A Class A IS just a box on a raised rail or dedicated ladder chassis, with most models having the driving and living areas on the same level. The exception to this is the Prevost 'H' series that has a lower driver/passenger level than the rest of the coach.

xrvr · 09-27-2012, 03:56 AM

You guys are correct, jim

lamato · 11-09-2012, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Protagonist

And I was just pointing out that, for the same base van (Mercedes Benz Sprinter 3500) it appears that most buyers are willing to pay more to get a better-quality interior.

No matter who makes the conversion van, the logo everyone sees on a Sprinter is the honkin' big Merecedes logo in the middle of the grille, not the discrete RV conversion company logos on the sides and rear. I've lost track of the number of times fellow campers have approached me, saying, "Wow! I didn't know Mercedes makes motorhomes!"

So, given that the public perception of a late-model (2010 and later) Sprinter is that it's a Mercedes, the interior has to look like it belongs in a Mercedes, too. Airstream seems to be the only conversion van maker to recognize the fact, and have interior design that really looks like it belongs in a "luxury" van.

Maybe things were different when the Sprinters all had Freightliner or Dodge grilles and logos and the overall impression of Sprinters was utilitarian rather than luxurious.

Protagonist, we could have made money giving tours of our interstate! You're right, I think it's the "honk in' big Mercedes logo in the middle of the grill"! We were gone for five weeks, and every single day involved a tour, a comment, or a gathered crowd!

Lily&Me · 11-10-2012, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lamato

Protagonist, we could have made money giving tours of our interstate! You're right, I think it's the "honk in' big Mercedes logo in the middle of the grill"! We were gone for five weeks, and every single day involved a tour, a comment, or a gathered crowd!

Yes!

Maggie

ROBERTSUNRUS · 11-10-2012, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lewster

Thought some might find this article interesting.........

Airstream Interstate Leads Class B Coach Sales
Print
September 24, 2012 by RV Business

Airstream's Interstate Class B
Airstream Inc. announced the brand’s popular Airstream Interstate was once again the No. 1 selling Class B motorhome model in the U.S. for the first seven months of 2012, according to Statistical Surveys Inc.
The Jackson Center, Ohio-based company said in a press release that from January through July, Airstream grew its market share in the touring coach segment by 45%, surpassing the reported growth of 27% for Class B vans for the same time period.
Airstream Interstate unit sales for the first seven months of 2012 increased nearly 85% over 2011, a year that Airstream also claimed top-selling honors. The company attributes its continued achievement to a slight uptick in the economy as well as customer demand for the quality and design found in the Interstate’s Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis.
“The ongoing momentum and interest in the Interstate has been driven by our premium take on product design,” said Airstream CEO and President Bob Wheeler. “While we may be most famous for our travel trailers, the same principles of design, quality and innovation make the Interstate stand out from the crowd.

Hi, OK Airstream is number one, 27%, 45%, and 85%. "Top selling". Big question is: How many did they actually make/sell?

Lily&Me · 11-10-2012, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROBERTSUNRUS

Hi, OK Airstream is number one, 27%, 45%, and 85%. "Top selling". Big question is: How many did they actually make/sell?

And, where are they all??

Maggie

jm2 · 11-10-2012, 10:06 AM

according to a "local" Airstream dealer who does a brisk trade in Interstates, many are being sold to 'soccer moms' and other folks who are not necessarily camping or traveling as we do, but using them for hometown purposes.

must be nice....

73shark · 11-11-2012, 10:36 AM

I've used mine several times as local transportation.

bredlo · 11-11-2012, 02:23 PM

Would be kinda cool to run off to your own private bathroom during a long kids soccer "away game", vs. using the portapotties.

Lily&Me · 11-11-2012, 11:15 PM

We haul our Grandkids everywhere in ours. They were originally meant to be a second, around town vehicle.

We try not to let them use the pottie, as it becomes such a novel plaything for kiddies.

. It is great to have the fridge, sink, drinks, snacks, etc.

They would go with us anywhere, anytime.

Maggie

73shark · 11-11-2012, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bredlo

Would be kinda cool to run off to your own private bathroom during a long kids soccer "away game", vs. using the portapotties.

Quote:

Originally Posted by doug&maggie

We haul our Grandkids everywhere in ours. They were originally meant to be a second, around town vehicle.

We try not to let them use the pottie, as it becomes such a novel plaything for kiddies.

. It is great to have the fridge, sink, drinks, snacks, etc.

They would go with us anywhere, anytime.

Maggie

Just got back from my grandson's soccer tournament in Iowa a couple of weekends ago. It's great to have a "home" away from home. And all of the amenities too.