National RV Sells Country Coach
Bob Lee, who founded Country Coach in 1973, has returned to the company as chairman emeritus and as an investor with a new ownership group led by Riley Investment Partners, based in Los Angeles.

The new owners acquired Country Coach from National RV Holdings of Perris, California, by paying $38.8 million and assuming $13 million in debt. Country Coach, whose headquarters is in Junction City, Oregon, builds highline diesel motorhomes.

Lee said he was pleased to be back with Country Coach. He said the company “has a solid management team, wonderful long-term employees and a great business plan. With our newfound operational independence, there is nothing we can’t achieve.”

Riley Investment Partners principal Bryant Riley said, “When we evaluated the RV industry and its management, we looked for two things: quality management and the highest quality products. With this investment, we have accomplished that goal in spades, and look forward to continuing to build on the company’s well deserved reputation as the builder of the world’s finest motorcoaches.” Riley noted that Lee; Jay Howard, the company president and CEO, and Jim Howard, sales senior vice president, are all making financial investments in the company.

Country Coach employs 1,600 workers, building coaches that sell for $350,000 and more.

Hall of Famers Chosen
The RV/MH Heritage Foundation has announced the selection of ten people to be inducted into the RV/MH Hall of Fame at ceremonies in August at the grand opening of the organization’s new Hall of Fame and Museum in Elkhart, Indiana.

The foundation’s board of directors chose the candidates from 50 nominees. They include three RV retailers: Billy Sims of Lubbock, Texas; Paul Skogebo of Robert Crist and Company of Mesa, Arizona, and Tom Stinnett of Clarksville, Indiana. Others include Don Walter, an RV manufacturer from Starcraft RV in Topeka, Indiana; Mel Adams, an industry supplier from Airxcel RV Products Division in Wichita, Kansas; Jerry W. Britton, an industry financial leader from Textron Financial in Alpharetta, Georgia, and James P. Visser Sr., publisher of The Journal in Manchester, Georgia.

Manufactured housing representatives elected to the Hall of Fame are R.C. (Dick) Moore, a manufactured housing retailer from Millington, Tennessee; Ronald Thomas Sr., a manufactured housing retailer and community operator from RONA Homes in Pataskala, Ohio, and the late Jerry Wilson from Cavalier Homes in Addison, Alabama.

Dometic Issues Recall
Dometic Corporation is voluntarily recalling two-door refrigerators that may have a potential fire hazard. The units were manufactured between April 1997 and May 2003.

The refrigerators have model numbers NDR1062, RM2652, RM2662, RM2663, RM2852, RM2862, RM3662, RM3663, RM3862 and RM3863. The serial numbers include the following combinations: 713xxxxx through 752xxxxx, 801xxxxx through 852xxxxx, 901xxxxx through 952xxxxx, 001xxxxx through 052xxxxx, 201xxxxx through 252xxxxx, and 301xxxxx through 319xxxxx.

For more information, call (888) 446-5157 or visit www.dometicusa.com. The company said 99.99 percent of the recalled refrigerators do not pose a danger.

Ford, Airstream Create Concept
Ford and Airstream have teamed up to design a futuristic touring vehicle for the crossover market that they call the Ford Airstream Concept.

The concept car pays homage to the original Airstream design with a streamlined shape, reflective paint and 12 ceremonial rivets. It is powered by a plug-in hybrid fuel cell drivetrain. The advanced fuel cell system is half the weight and cost of today’s fuel cells.

The powertrain is already on the road in a Ford Edge prototype and was built with partial funding from the U.S. Department of Energy. The hydrogen fuel cell’s function is to act like a portable generator, recharging the vehicle’s lithium-ion battery pack as needed. Fuel economy is the equivalent of 41 miles per gallon. The vehicle can travel 305 miles before refueling.

Ford designers said they employed a futuristic theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey in creating the cosmic red and white interior. The driver and front-seat passenger occupy swiveling captain’s chair. The rear has lounge-like seating and a 360-degree screen for entertainment and games. The screen also can be used to create ambient mood settings, including a modern lava lamp and virtual fire, and can also show a live feed from a camera outside the car.

Mounted on the instrument panel is a Sharp dual-view screen that allows the driver to get driver-related information while the front seat passenger views DVDs.

Bob Wheeler, president and chief executive officer of Airstream, said that teaming up with Ford on the concept vehicle is part of the company’s effort to explore options for the future. “Our success in recent years has come from challenging the conventional thinking about what an Airstream is,” he said. “The Ford Airstream Concept is a stunning example of that. Plus, a partner like Ford, with its long history as an American icon, made perfect sense for this kind of exploration.”

Monaco Gains Diesel Partner
Monaco Coach Corporation and International Truck and Engine Corporation have formed a joint venture to build rear engine diesel chassis. Monaco owns 49 percent and International owns 51 percent of the joint venture.

The companies expect to manufacture 5,000 diesel chassis in the first year, with the joint venture leasing Monaco’s Roadmaster plant in Elkhart, Indiana. Monaco, headquartered in Coburg, Oregon, builds motorhomes and trailers while International produces trucks, diesel engines and school buses and also builds RV chassis through its Workhorse subsidiary.

Fleetwood to Build in Mexico
Fleetwood Enterprises has announced plans to build low-cost travel trailers at a plant in Mexicali, Mexico. The company also is closing factories in Maryland, Texas and California as part of an effort to consolidate trailer manufacturing at its other plants in the U.S.

Fleetwood would reportedly become the first U.S. RV company to build products in Mexico.

King of the Road Closes
King of the Road has reached the end of the road. Chief Industries, which produced luxury motorhomes and fifth wheels under the King of the Road brand, has closed its factory in York, Nebraska, and withdrawn from the RV business.

Company officials attributed the closure to a difficult environment for the RV market because of industry consolidation and higher fuel prices. Chief Industries said about half of the 53 employees at the RV plant were offered other jobs in the company. Chief Industries, which is based in Grand Island, Nebraska, is a diversified manufacturer with products ranging from grain storage systems to factory-built housing.

Newmar Names Sales Director
Pat Terveer, former national sales manager with Monaco Coach Corporation, has been named director of sales for Newmar in Nappanee, Indiana. He will be in charge of product planning, product development and sales for the towable division. Terveer is a former president of Georgie Boy Manufacturing and has 25 years of experience in the RV industry .

Summer Jobs Available
Xanterra, which operates nine lodges at Yellowstone National Park, is planning to hire 3,000 employees for the summer season, which begins in early May. The company provides dormitories and RV parks for seasonal employees for a nominal fee.

Many of the employees hired are college students, but the company is also seeking workers who can stay until the end of the season. Many students must return to college before the lodges close for the winter. Most lodges close in mid-September; two remain open until mid-October. For employment information, call (307) 344-5324 or visit www.travelyellowstone.com.

Airstream Bambi Now Art Object
The Museum of Modern Art in New York City has acquired a restored 1963 Airstream Bambi for its collection of design icons. The Bambi joins six classic auto designs, including the Volkswagen Beetle and the original Jeep.

A display entitled “On the Road: Airstream Bambi Travel Trailer” will be on view in the museum’s lobby through Nov. 12.