Monaco RV today announced that it is changing its name to Navistar RV. Monaco®, Holiday Ramblerâ„¢ and R-Visionâ„¢ brands will remain distinct and intact under the Navistar RV subsidiary of Navistar, Inc.
“The integration of Navistar and Monaco RV has resulted in better products and higher efficiencies,” said Daniel Ustian, Navistar chairman, president and chief executive officer. “Updating the name of our RV company demonstrates our long-term commitment to the RV industry. When a customer buys a recreational vehicle built by Navistar RV, they know they’re getting products with proven components, many of which are used in other Navistar vehicles – vehicles that move American goods, help keep troops safe, and ensure the safe transportation of schoolchildren.”
Navistar Inc., a producer of school buses, commercial trucks and defense vehicles, acquired Monaco RV in 2009. Monaco, Holiday Rambler and R-Vision have been part of the Navistar family of brands for the last three years and the name change is the natural next step in Navistar’s commitment to the business, the company said in a press release.
Since the acquisition, the company has streamlined operations and appointed a new executive management team. Navistar has also fully integrated the design, development, testing and validation of its recreational vehicles with the company’s commercial truck and bus product development organization, delivering vehicle engineering expertise unmatched in the RV industry.
Navistar RV maintains manufacturing operations for its R-Vision and Holiday Rambler towable units in Harrisburg, Ore., and Elkhart, Ind. The company’s Monaco and Holiday Rambler brand motorized RVs are produced in a fully integrated manufacturing facility located in Wakarusa, Ind., with powertrain, chassis and body assembly in one dedicated facility.
“Navistar brings more than 100 years of vehicle development and design experience to the Monaco, Holiday Rambler and R-Vision brands,” said William Osborne, president of Navistar RV. “With a foundation of Navistar’s business and design excellence, we’ll continue to produce some of the best recreational vehicles in the market.”
Navistar announced the name change in the following letter to dealers. Below, in its entirety, is that letter signed by Navistar’s Mike Snell, senior vice president for sales and customer service:
Dear Monaco RV Dealer,
I am happy to inform you that effective Aug. 6, Monaco RV will be re-named Navistar RV. With Navistar technology, personnel and design now integrated with Monaco RV, it is the natural next step in Navistar’s commitment to the RV business. The Monaco, Holiday Rambler and R-Vision brands will remain distinct and intact under the Navistar RV business.
We did not reach the decision to change our name lightly. We investigated and pursued this name change with strong stakeholder involvement at the forefront of our effort. We worked with all of our key stakeholders, including dealers, customers and employees, to assess this opportunity. Of note, our dealers provided the input and direction that supported and accelerated our name change efforts. We listened to your comments and are excited to share with you this announcement.
The Navistar RV name demonstrates Navistar’s clear commitment to the RV business. And under the new Navistar RV name, we are better able to separate and build strong, distinct, and valued Monaco and Holiday Rambler product brands.
Since the acquisition in 2009, we have streamlined our motorized operations in one plant and appointed a new executive management team. And Navistar has brought a wealth of vehicle development and design experience to the Monaco, Holiday Rambler and R-Vision brands. You’ll see the benefits of this marriage embodied in the 2013 product lineup. As Dan Ustian, CEO, Navistar, states in our press release, “When a customer buys a Navistar RV, they know they’re getting Navistar products with proven components, many of which are used in our other vehicles – vehicles that move American goods, help keep troops safe, and ensure the safe transportation of schoolchildren.”
Navistar RV products will continue to be built with Navistar’s technology and design DNA. We have integrated the design, development, testing and validation of our recreational vehicles with Navistar’s commercial truck and bus product development organization, delivering vehicle engineering expertise unmatched in the RV industry. We maintain our manufacturing operations for R-Vision and Holiday Rambler towable units in Harrisburg, OR and Elkhart, IN, and our Monaco and Holiday Rambler brand motorized production in our integrated manufacturing facility located in Wakarusa, Ind. with powertrain, chassis and body assembly in one dedicated facility.
A press release will be distributed later today, August 6th, announcing our name change to the media and RV trade press.
Thank you for your continued support of Navistar RV and the Monaco, Holiday Rambler, and R-Vision brands and products. If you have any questions about this change, please contact your regional sales manager for more information.
Thank you,
Mike Snell