How Come it's always,,,FLYING CLOUD,,

[THEPILL]

Safari?...Well not that much,,,but no International..


I was just wondering ,when I go the Airstream store the hats, shirts,etc are flying cloud marked. Nothing in International. Did I buy an unpopular brand? Just wondering why so little in the way of marketing?

I sure would like an International Airstream hat or shirt......

Has anyone ever seen anything international in apperal?

Oh well could be worse.


Shane

[pmclemore]

Everyone knows that the really cool ones are the Limiteds.

Pat

[soldiermedic]

Here is a snip taken from a post by 2Airishuman. Pretty much sums all the changes around, "If you can read and follow it ).

Quote from 2Airishuman

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'

[Gene]

When I suggested at JC that changing the name of Safari's to FC cheapened the Safari's and lowered my resale value, the executive I talked to just didn't get it.

Gene

[safari62]

First of all, INTERNATIONAL probably won't fit on a hat........

but, it could be worse... at one time the company labeled a model the Safari/Bambi. How dumb was that. It was a 19 foot model and I think this was just before they brought back the 16 footers.

In the early days there were three interior trim or options levels. The basic model version (pick one) followed by the land Yacht and then International.

The original Flying Cloud was a lighter trailer with a floorplan design more for a couple to travel with. An open floor plan using the same 22' Safari sized trailer.

Why they muddled the current model names and sizes now is anyone guess.

Now go look up the origin of the word Safari and see how that relates to Overlander....it's all in the translation.

[rock60]

must be the way it sounded or how it rolled of the tongue.

[dkottum]

International reminds me of International style architecture (actually European) with its clean, crisp lines, bold color, and minimalist design. Safari must be for adventurers. Flying Cloud, well that's kind of poetic and does relate to the overall design of those recent models.

I've been a Volkswagen owner for some 40 years so am familiar with oddball model names. I suspect the powers-to-be form a committee, who always throw out the best and the worst, and settle for the mediocre.

Like Gene, I no more bought my Safari, and they cheapened the product line by renaming the exact same model Flying Cloud.

Doug

[newroswell]

Originally Posted by dkottum

Like Gene, I no more bought my Safari, and they cheapened the product line by renaming the exact same model Flying Cloud.
Doug

It really wasn't the rename it to Flying Cloud, which has it's own long and proud heritage, similarly equipped and priced. It was creating the Safari Sport with it's less expensive windows, cabinets with a lower MSRP.

When we picked up our 30' Flying Cloud last month, we had a long phone call with our insurance agent before we could pull out on the road, who insisted (according to her computer) Airstream did not make a trailer over 28'. Imagine the confusion now over a Safari vs Safari Sport.

I see it is just named Sport on airstream.com now so are all references to Safari removed from the Sport line?

[Bill Lynch]

As an Airstream newbie (to be..) with no hangups on past heredity, I like the Flying Cloud name much more than Safari.

However, after looking into these for a while, it will only be an International for me. Perferrably with Serenity decor.

[vswingfield]

Well, it's better than Drooping Cloud.

You never see Excella stuff either. I know, they haven't made Excellas in a long time.

[InsideOut]

I think it's so they can capture a part of the vintage segment as well. Vintage Flying Clouds were a very popular model that was made for about 10-11 years and have been iconic in the mainstream "non-Airstream" community...heck Pottery Barn even sold a model of one. By using the name only - they can capture sales with the "bling crazy" vintage owners too.

Shari

[THEPILL]

1958
Airstream introduces the International, the first self-contained travel trailer.

Thats all the "International" history I can find.


SHane

[Silverfoxrae]

Originally Posted by safari62

First of all, INTERNATIONAL probably won't fit on a hat........

Neither will OVERLANDER... Oh well, it's okay by me :-)

Rae

Sent from my iPhone using AIR Forums

[THEPILL]

Originally Posted by THEPILL

1958
Airstream introduces the International, the first self-contained travel trailer.

Thats all the "International" history I can find.


SHane

Also,..All the other models after the International "self-contained" travel trailer in 1958,...well are just copies......

Shane