By Bishis.com
The RV industry is going through big changes as we roll into 2024. RV makers are starting to consolidate their brands, which is influencing both market conditions and consumer choices.
Gone are the days when mighty RV brands stood strongly on their own. Today, we’re witnessing a blurring of lines as brands merge, some disappear,\ and others make changes to survive in a fiercely competitive market.
The RV industry, once bustling with 1,000s of brands (each claiming to be the best), is now seeing a much-needed consolidation.
This change isn’t necessarily a bad thing. The market was saturated with too many similar choices, with many brands overlapping in features and benefits, leading to consumer confusion.
However, the cost of maintaining multiple, often repetitive, production lines has become too expensive for many RV makers and they’re making drastic changes.
THE VANISHING GIANTS
A surprising trend is the fading away of brands that were market leaders just 5 years ago. These brands, once popular and successful, are now struggling to keep their heads above water.
Some are being entirely phased out, while others are being absorbed into larger brands.
A CLOSER LOOK AT COMPANY CONSOLIDATION
Big companies in the RV world, like the Thor family which includes Keystone and Jayco, are starting to bring smaller companies under their wing.
This means that smaller brands like Starcraft and Highland Ridge (which are part of Jayco), and Dutchmen and Crossroads (which are part of Keystone), are now becoming a bigger part of these large companies.
This change is helping to make things run smoother, especially when it comes to keeping track of money and making sure customers get good service when they need it.
QUALITY OVER QUANTITY
Among the big changes and mergers, there is a positive outcome we all can all be happy about – RV manufacturers are shifting their focus from quantity to quality.
Historically, the RV industry has had problems with quality consistency. However, as competition gets more fierce, RV makers are making serious efforts to improve their production standards.
GIVE THE PEOPLE WHAT THEY WANT!
Customers are letting manufacturers know they prefer higher quality campers over more camper choices.
Consumers are willing to invest more for dependability and excellence when it comes to RV purchases.
For instance, there is a growing demand for modern features like keyless entry pads. People are letting RV makers know they want more innovative technology like this — and they also expect the same level of reliability they find in the automotive industry.
RV Keyless Door Pad
LOOKING FORWARD WITH HOPE
As we see these big changes happening in the RV world, we’re feeling hopeful but also a bit cautious.
By making fewer brands and models, and ensuring they’re superior quality, RV manufacturers might solve some of their financial problems – and give people what they want in the process. This could be a win-win for everyone.
While the manufacturers might reduce problems in decision-making for consumers, once the purchase is made, the happy buyer faces what may be the ultimate challenge: finding a professional RV storage facility to keep their cherished vacation home safe and sound when not on the road. But that’s a whole other story.
