Airstream Scout Concept Vehicle - Page 4

Airstream Marketing · 06-04-2009, 08:50 AM

My response to your comments about the "Airstream Marketing guy ( who didn't leave his name )"

To quote number 2 "That would be telling."
(You get a +1 Internet if you know where this quote came from)

Love the speculation. It seems a bit conspiracy theory-ish, what I mean is you're reading way too much into it.

To set the record straight:

We literally are gathering info to gauge the interest level of the Scout and only the Scout.
Anything else is incidental.

Your insights though are very helpful! We appreciate your candor and hope that all things can be considered fully but as many of you know not everything can be or will be implemented for whatever reason (practicality, for instance). Just the same keep the info coming!

BTW you can follow us on twitter!

mandolindave · 06-04-2009, 09:37 AM

Qoate
"Love the speculation. It seems a bit conspiracy theory-ish, what I mean is you're reading way too much into it."

Dude ( who didn't leave his name lol ) THAT is the way.......we roll.

Sir ( who didn't leave his name) I need to know....did you like Airstreams before or after you went to work for them? I think you are lucky either way. I want to be you, when I grow up. Thumbs up and all of that good stuff. Dave ( who left his name, obviously) ( ok I'll stop )

I forgot to tell you...bring back the Argosy, with a mandolin holder option.

**moosetags** · 06-04-2009, 09:47 AM

I like the Scout and it's concept. I think that Airstream should do it. I would love to see them on the road.

Brian

**Janet** · 06-04-2009, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluto

I'm with you on this, seems like a step backwards to me.

Not sure I agree... There is a huge market for retro looking products. Look at the slew of 40's styled appliances at home shows, retro styling in cars (think PT cruiser). Not everyone can or wants to restore an vintage rig - they want the retro look with modern function and they want to buy it that way.

Exploring the design possibilities of a concept vehicle is a cool idea. Figuring out how or if to market it is a separate issue however. It will be interesting to see where this goes and I'm thrilled to be asked for an opinion.
caveat: remember the old adage about opinions

biggoofball · 06-04-2009, 10:45 AM

I like it a lot, but would want to remove all of the techie stuff. No TV, DVD, computer, electronic tank monitor, etc. for me please. I did the survey and said as much there too.

I would lean towards a light 24 foot low option model like an Argosy if I had the funds to purchase something new. Something to comfortably sleep 3 (one of the three being a 6'5" man

I don't fit in anything

but a guy can dream).

I think I agree that the return of the canned ham is an excellent trend, but not for the Airstream brand.

Thanks for listening.

muddy_hollow · 06-04-2009, 11:35 AM

I like the product. The weight of the unit is inline with the towing capacity of smaller cars and minivans and I suspect this is geared towards folks who are looking for the weekend getaway type of solution.

I recently sold a vintage 65 Globetrotter and had more hits from people that were interested in towing it behind their Cherokee or Toyota Minivan, but even the weight of that was pushing it in some cases.

I think this would be a good step up from the basecamp or T@B.

I think style is important. People are going to gravitate towards it cuz it looks cool and would looker cooler towed behind their Porsche SUV.

Hope to see it on the road someday.

Doug

PS. I think the big broohahah will be the cranks at the WBCCI talking about weather or not to allow it in

mandolindave · 06-04-2009, 11:44 AM

Airstream Marketing Guy might actually be Airstream Marketing Gal

Airstream Marketing · 06-04-2009, 11:49 AM

Guy or gal....what does it matter? It's a department.

But it looks like you lost the 50/50 shot there mandolindave. Nice guess but you lose!

-1 internets for you.

mandolindave · 06-04-2009, 12:28 PM

Quote
To quote number 2 "That would be telling."
(You get a +1 Internet if you know where this quote came from)

A few people have used that quote....James Bond, Pee Wee Herman,
Harry Houdini, and I think Bernie Madoff, but I'm not sure.

And what the heck is a +1 internet Dave

damonbeals · 06-04-2009, 12:44 PM

I really think the Scout would have a better fit in the T@B and T@DA line of trailers. Looks like the Scout is made of some of the same materials. And the teardrop shape is retro like the Scout. And the T@B is a Thor product. I still can't understand why they have not brought over the T@B-XL or the T@B-L. We owned a T@B but the lack of bathroom forced an upgrade, to a Airstream. But we might have bought a T@B-XL, if it was available here.

Didn't want to change the topic, but I think Thor should look to Europe for lightweight and fun looking trailers. We have enought white boxes.

Damon

rseagle · 06-04-2009, 01:08 PM

I love the size and simplicity of the 11' Retro Traveller and the Camp Inn 560 Raindrop and 550 Teardrop. Easy to tow with a small vehicle.

But if Airstream could make something like these in a Silver Bullet style and not a Canned Ham style, I'd be interested.

Maybe I'm just dreaming!

Airstream Marketing · 06-04-2009, 01:09 PM

The "Number 2" reference should have gave it away.

Let me try again.
Number 6: Whose side are you on?
Number 2: That would be telling.

Anyway.

+1 or -1 is a reference to point system. It's a joke used throughout the Fark.com forums. Sorry, thought maybe someone might have gotten it.

damonbeals
I can't really speak for other Thor companies or the T@B

European models aren't as wide as US models...believe it or not it does make a difference. IMHO it feels smaller.

hampstead38 · 06-04-2009, 01:28 PM

While I know all the cool kids are Twittering and texting these days, this thread is an attempt by a well-established company to seek input from arguably its most devoted customers on a new product. A representative of any company talking to any customer under any circumstances is ill-advised to say or write, "You lose." Trust me on this.

While I realize the comment(s) may be playful and humorous in intent, going onto Airforums to solicit feedback about a new product is a bit like going to the Southern Baptist Convention to seek feedback on a new hymnal. We take our aluminum seriously, hereabouts, and not just on Sunday.

I think seeking this feedback is an inherently good idea. If the folks at Thor are really astute, they will read Gene Crawford's comments very carefully. I think he is spot on.

I'm going to give a little advice to "Airstream Marketing," who I will wager is a young intern assigned to this market research task. Internet forums can be an excellent way for a business to develop information. They are also minefields. One miscommunication can damage a business. The Internet "voice" your friends might find adorable (and makes you "+many Internet") does not necessarily translate to the business world. And this, despite all of the emoticons and jargon, is very much a place where people form the basis for major financial decisions. Erring on the side of formality and civility rarely hurts... in business or in life. You may now proceed to deduct one from my Internet rating.

Airstream Marketing · 06-04-2009, 01:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hampstead38

While I know all the cool kids are Twittering and texting these days, this thread is an attempt by a well-established company to seek input from arguably its most devoted customers on a new product. A representative of any company talking to any customer under any circumstances is ill-advised to say or write, "You lose." Trust me on this.

While I realize the comment(s) may be playful and humorous in intent, going onto Airforums to solicit feedback about a new product is a bit like going to the Southern Baptist Convention to seek feedback on a new hymnal. We take our aluminum seriously, hereabouts, and not just on Sunday.

I think seeking this feedback is an inherently good idea. If the folks at Thor are really astute, they will read Gene Crawford's comments very carefully. I think he is spot on.

I'm going to give a little advice to "Airstream Marketing," who I will wager is a young intern assigned to this market research task. Internet forums can be an excellent way for a business to develop information. They are also minefields. One miscommunication can damage a business. The Internet "voice" your friends might find adorable (and makes you "+many Internet") does not necessarily translate to the business world. And this, despite all of the emoticons and jargon, is very much a place where people form the basis for major financial decisions. Erring on the side of formality and civility rarely hurts... in business or in life. You may now proceed to deduct one from my Internet rating.

You make an excellent point. Thank you for the gentle check.