MC Fireside Chats - June 22nd, 2022

MC Fireside Chats

This week on MC Fireside Chats, we talked to industry experts Eleanore Hamm of RVDA of Canada, Shane Devenish, Executive Director at CRVA, and Susan Carpenter of the RV Women’s Alliance to discuss current events, challenges, and trends in both the RV Industry and Outdoor Recreation.

Present in the discussion were Lance King and Bill French, the creators of Cyberlandr, a disappearing RV concept for the Tesla CyberTruck.

Hamm opened up the discussion by raising a pressing issue affecting the RV industry–the increasing gas prices.

Hamm said that amid gas prices and inflation, retail statistics show that the industry is down a little bit over last year, but compared to the past eight years, it is the industry’s second strongest year in terms of RV sales.

“What we’re seeing is also campgrounds are very full, and ultimately RVing may adapt in terms of shorter trips, [a] little bit closer to home.”

She also noted that a great thing about RVing is that it allows people to control costs and other matters.

The experts also reiterated that the industry is looking great even amid gas prices and inflation, as camping remains affordable compared to airfare and hotels.

Susan Carpenter of the RV Women’s Alliance shared that the alliance is offering sponsorship to women to take technical courses to bridge the industry’s technical education gap–empowering women and campground owners.

Cyberlandr’s Lance King and Bill French shared the story of how the concept evolved since last year’s launch.

King said the goal was to cater to people who want an RV that fits in a single parking space, mall parking space, or even go through a drive-thru and take their RV everywhere.“The best RV is the one you have with you,” King said.

King said they had produced four prototypes, and ten more are on the way before the production.

French talked about how Cyberlandr redefines RVing, utilizing technology and highlighting a software-defined RVing experience for the consumers.

The experts expressed amusement about what’s ahead for the industry as more innovative projects and concepts like Cyberlandr enter the market.

Shane Devenish, Executive Director at CRVA, said there would be an exciting future for the RV industry.

Answering the question of how manufacturers like Cyberlander would work with the RV industry in making sure consumers get a better RVing experience, King said emphasized the importance of education, information dissemination, and building relationship with industry experts and consumers.“It starts right now, making people aware, building relationships; we have time to adapt, [to] continue the dialogue, [We’re] happy to engage.”