[VAC] Re: WBCCI MEMBERSHIP

["Unter, Randy" <unter.randy@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Dick, you have misinterpreted my comments. The 'younger' Airstreamers aren't interested in creating an "elete clique", they want an organization that helps them understand the history, engineering, how to repair, etc their new/old trailers. My point was that the WBCCI has focused so much on the newer trailers, which have grown in size and weight, that they have drifted away from Wally Bayam's original creed, that they should be used to travel, not live in. A 34' , tripple axle a/s is not something younger, more active folks will own, even though many can afford one. Witness all the Yuppies in their $50k+ SUV's and BMW's. If Thor offered say a new Bubble, configured in contemporary interior with sports attachments, i.e. bike racks, etc, and sell them for $20-25K, they would sell like hot cakes (I'd buy one for sure). For example, Bicycling Magazine last year featured an ad with an older Bambi with three young women relaxing after a hard mountain bike ride from their wilderness campsite. This is the appeal that a/s offers more active lifestyles, which only the older a/s', or new Bambi's offers. This market segment is the future of Airstream and my point was currently only VAC seems to be meeting the needs of this market segment. But VAC requires WBCCI membership, so that relates to the barriers I cited. This is not a bash-the-elderly comment, since I'm +55 and perceived by those much younger as part of the old generation. Thor can sit and wait, like Cadillac and Lincoln, to change their models to suit the newer generations, but it will be too late because someone else will have filled that market niche.  I wouldn't be surprised to see a Bubble coming from Japan in the not too distant future.

Randy Unter

'66 Overlander

Denver