The RV Industry Association (RVIA) held a meeting of its Model Year Task Force last week to evaluate the recommended best practice for RV model year changeover.
This voluntary best practice was adopted to improve the RV buying experience by reducing confusion among consumers, as per the News & Insights report of the RVIA.
After the meeting, the Task Force reaffirmed its endorsement of the best practice, which recommends that RV manufacturers make their annual model year and major product design changes between July 1 and August 31 each year.
This best practice, which the Board approved of Directors in June of 2020, is designed to be implemented from 2021 to 2023, with subsequent annual evaluations by the Model Year Task Force.
RVIA President Craig Kirby said the recommended model year best practice, along with the requirement for all newly manufactured RVs to have a label stating the overall length of the unit, will greatly improve the consumer’s purchase experience by alleviating potential sources of confusion.
The consistent model year changeover period not only benefits consumers by making it easier to distinguish between model years but also helps RV dealerships manage their inventory and communicate model year information to shoppers.
It enables component part suppliers to more efficiently produce and stock the changing part needs of manufacturers and finance institutions to better establish RV valuations.
Model Year Task Force Chair and President of Alliance RV, Coley Brady, stated that the RV industry has come together to improve the customer experience and that the reaffirmation of the recommended best practice for model year changeover is a win for all RV industry businesses.
He added that a consistent model year reduces confusion at the time of purchase and helps improve the customer experience.
Who knew RVs had their own ‘annual transition’ too? It’s wonderful to see the RVIA’s focus on consumer clarity and support for dealers during this process. Plus, it’s a positive outcome for all of us buyers!
It’s heartwarming to see the RV Industry Association focusing on enhancing the buying experience for consumers. The recommendation for increased transparency is a compassionate step toward empowering buyers with comprehensive information, making well-informed decisions easier. What are your thoughts on these changes?
It looks like RV manufacturers are feeling the pressure with that tight deadline to make changes between July 1 and August 31. I wonder if rushing through could affect the quality of the RVs they’re putting out. Just something to think about!