Maybe I do not fully understand the rational behind the need to create a new market valuation chart on our buses, why do we need to share with the rest of the world that our buses are worth less than last year.
The largest Prevost converter Marathon appears to have at least 18 new coaches and about the same Certified Preowned 2008 to about 2004, which I believe are their trades. maybe $25M in cash tied up, lots of $$
If this is the case and the market is about 50% off or more on RV sales right now, Marathon possibly has enough inventory for the rest of 2009, They may buy 15 or 20 shells to have for custom orders but I bet not much more.
If these numbers are anywhere near accurate then the next few years at Marathon and the top 3 or four converters will be the same.
These converters will have to change direction and quickly to stay afloat for the next few years. They will reduce new sales down to a handful until the market returns, create a sellers market on new coaches, increase the value on used coaches. If these companies want to survive they must sell both new and used for higher prices with fewer units. The big three will become better used coach salesman and will need to hold the prices up to stay in business.
I want to ride their coattails and let them set the market pricing not us. I for one would not want to see a pricing change or even a pricing guide. Let the market handle this.
Please help me here, am I missing something or is there a compelling reason or value to each POG member to communicate the fact that our bus values may have taken a hit, help me on this.
The converter industry went to great lengths to be delisted in NADA, Kelly, Edmunds and others, why would we want to create a new downward valuation trend, it makes no sense, it's not like we required to file a report each year.
Lets at least table this nonsense for the next 12 months and see how this all shakes out.
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