Alert Newmar announces entry DP - Northern Star

[Neal]

https://rvbusiness.com/newmar-dubuts-northern-star-brand-at-dealer-meeting/

 

[AbdRahim]

How many diesels do they need? Not much left of gassers.

 

[Stuart W]

Any indication of price point?

 

[Underboss]

Looks like a very nice, no frills model. It will bring in more market share and give some the opportunity to step up to a dp as prices have skyrocketed.
But I agree with the earlier post, how many diesels do you need

 

[Neal]

I'm calling it the North Star. Sorry Newmar.

 

[Stuart W]

Interesting timing with dealers hurting, sales down and flooring costs high, now dealers will need to stock a couple North Stars

 

[Neal]

I don't get it, the Ventana LE was supposed to be the entry level DP. Renamed Kountry Star. What exactly is the purpose of the North Star? Are more models a good thing for a company struggling with production quality issues? Seems like you'd want to narrow the line.

 

[Stuart W]

I don't get it, the Ventana LE was supposed to be the entry level DP. Renamed Kountry Star. What exactly is the purpose of the North Star? Are more models a good thing for a company struggling with production quality issues? Seems like you'd want to narrow the line.

This seems more like Winnebago, I totally agree Neal, they should work on perfecting what they already have.
I saw this in the automotive world, they introduce new models and sell a couple to each dealer.

 

[Neal]

My hunch though is this "new product" probably started R&D years ago before the economy melt down. I don't know how long it takes from design to production for a company such as Newmar. No concept of these types of processes.

 

[Stuart W]

True, think of how many units you need to stock to represent the Newmar brand, with so much overlap in levels.
Even if you only go up to Dutch Star or New Aire to King Aire

 

[osuallen]

I think this is replacing the Kountry Star. So not an additional model.

 

[FLSteve]

I think this is replacing the Kountry Star. So not an additional model.

Yes ... this was in the press release that I saw.

For his part, Vice President of Sales Matt Ellinger offered highlights Director of Engineering of the 2025 model year, which numbers some 77 floorplans for 13 brands, including the all-new Northern Star, an entry level diesel pusher that replaces the Kountry Star.


FLSteve

 

[Neal]

Ahhhh, okay, so just another name change of the same coach that was the Ventana LE, then Kountry Star, now North Star. Got it! Thanks...

 

[Joe Hogan]

To Neal's point, you would think that limiting the number of models and focus on production quality would be a better path for a better product.

 

[Stuart W]

I think this is replacing the Kountry Star. So not an additional model.

Makes more sense

 

[AbdRahim]

I'm calling it the North Star. Sorry Newmar.

A buddy of mine changed the lettering on his Bay Star to North Star. He is from way up north.

 

[MarkMaxPayne]

Half kidding... I'm curious how much a rebadged Winnie could sell for. Hypothetically speaking, the cost of new badges & labor to swap them vs potential increased margins could make the math work, no?