New smaller Class A from Tiffin

Tiffin has introduced a new model, a smaller high end Class A coach that is supposed to be fuel efficient and attractive to new comers as well as "senior" RVers who want to downsize without giving up amenities. Other manufacturers have introduced similar smaller models. If fuel prices go higher, they ought to be real popular, but if fuel stays halfway reasonable I'll bet people continue to flock to the big rigs they love.

Tiffin Motorhomes News Release

RED BAY, AL, Dec. 1, 2009 --- The winds of change are blowing at Tiffin Motorhomes, where the high-end, compact-sized Allegro Breeze has joined the Zephyr and other popular models. At 28 feet, the Allegro Breeze is 17 feet shorter than the top-of-the-line tag-axle Zephyr, but only 9.5 feet longer than a Chevrolet Suburban. The Allegro Breeze GVWR is 21,500 lbs.

"The Breeze is responsive to our customers, dealers and others in the RV market," says Bob Tiffin, CEO of the family-owned Class A manufacturer founded in 1972. "This coach is wonderfully maneuverable and easy to park, and we've included many of the high-end touches of our much-larger diesel pushers."

A concept model Allegro Breeze was introduced to dealers and news media today at the annual Recreational Vehicle Industry Association's 47th Annual National RV Trade Show in Louisville. The Allegro Breeze will begin appearing at Tiffin's network of dealerships in the U.S. and Canada in March 2010. Pricing has not been established.

[photo below]
2010 Tiffin Motorhomes Breeze - 28 feet.

Powered by a Navistar Maxxforce 215-horsepower diesel pusher manufactured in Huntsville, Ala., near the Tiffin plant, the Allegro Breeze is built on Tiffin's own PowerGlide chassis. Introduced in 2008 on the Allegro Bus, the PowerGlide chassis quickly became a popular option, offering one-stop service for Tiffin owners at dealerships and the Tiffin service facility. The PowerGlide chassis for the Allegro Breeze is newly designed on a coach-ready platform.

"This new motorhome enables us to reach out to new markets, including younger families seeking an alternative to more costly vacation arrangements and veteran RV folks who no longer want to drive, set-up or maintain a 40-foot-plus diesel pusher," explains Tim Tiffin, general manager. "While we don't have specific numbers yet, we expect the Allegro Breeze will have good fuel economy ? somewhere in the mid-teens of MPG -- as a smaller, lighter coach with the Navistar engine. We will learn more in road-testing."

All the allure of the single-slide Allegro Breeze is not in the performance.
"The Allegro Breeze is a contemporary, exciting, high-end smaller coach," Bob Tiffin adds. "The furniture and d?cor are sleek. We also came up with a very attractive antique white finish for cabinets and drawer fronts. The whole package will be eye-catching at the beach, a tailgating party or a campground. As the economy rebounds, we predict customers will clearly see the passion, value and quality we put into this new coach."

Tiffin Motorhomes received one of three prestigious Quality Circle Awards presented by the Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association to Class A motorhome manufacturers this year for design, reliability, quality, value and competitive price.

[photo below]
Busy Cabin With Room To Spare. Note front mounted LCD TV.

'We appreciate this recognition from dealers," says Tim Tiffin. "We want our reputation to be built by satisfied customers and dealers as well as quality, engineering innovation and value. It is a never-ending process. We have worked hard throughout the market downturn to develop new products like the Allegro Breeze and to enhance working relationships with dealers and customers."

Tiffin has earned the Quality Circle Award 11 of the 14 years it has been presented by the RVDA in connection with its Dealer Satisfaction Index. The 2009 survey included 1,644 brand ratings from 322 dealers. Quality Circle Awards are made to manufacturers receiving at least 15 dealer responses and scoring at least 80% in overall dealer satisfaction.

In addition to the consumer-related categories of the survey, Tiffin also was recognized with the Quality Circle Award for exemplary warranty, parts, sales and communications support to dealerships.

For additional information including dealer locations visit www.tiffinmotorhomes.com.

Tiffin seems to be handling the economic downturn fairly well.  They are still publishing their quarterly news booklet, and promoting seasonal rallies.  This will most likely be a solid decision for them; however, as you say, if the economy improves and fuel stays reasonable, I think people will still think "bigger".

Marsha~

Do they give any specifics about the "fuel efficiency"?

Hope the dealership in CT sells some so I will get a chance to check it out!

Do they give any specifics about the "fuel efficiency"?

Click to expand...

Nope. What you see in the press release is what they have so far.

Can I be, honest (rhetorical question), in the famous words of Tom Hanks in Big, "I don't get it."

Why would I want to spend the coin for a full size DP chassis, including the maintenance, but only get 28' and one slide worth of space?  Would the buyer get more value out of either a) a gas-chassis that can easily handle this weight, b) a smaller GVWR chassis like the Via?

Now, the RED offered by Tiffin is a dream of mine, but this one I just don't understand.  Who is in the market for this?  Inquiring minds want to know...

Winnebago seems to be doing well with their 26-30 foot coaches and both Four Winds (the Serrano) and Gulfstream (Montaj) have similar offerings that are attracting at least some buyers. Whether there is a large demand remains to be seen. Several years ago Newmar tried it with a classy but smaller coach and it flopped. But fuel costs have doubled since then and there is a wave of interest in smaller, more efficient RVs.