The future of LD, inc. October 07, 2017, 04:23:46 pm Let's assume the production of new LDs stops for whatever reason. The end of an era. It's over. What's next?Keep the repair shop going! It's a cash cow and could be very profitable. Other brands could also be worked on so it wouldn't be exclusive. Good rv repair shops are always in demand especially in southern California - the ideal location for one. Eventually the demand for LD repairs will taper off since there are no new ones. By this time general repair on other brands will take up the slack. Todd and Vince would take it over and probably lease the part of the property that they needed to run the business. Or lease other property where they would start fresh.That is my very brief business plan. Will it work?! Frank
Re: The future of LD, inc. Reply #1 – October 07, 2017, 04:57:05 pm Quote from: kool83704 - October 07, 2017, 04:23:46 pmTodd and Vince would take it over and probably lease the part of the property that they needed to run the business. Or lease other property where they would start fresh.That is my very brief business plan. Will it work?! Vince and/or Todd would be passing up an good business opportunity if they they didn't, it's a good guess, but who really knows?Steve ain't talking.The property is too valuable for a small repair business and I imagine Steve would sell it.A lot depends on what Ford replaces the E450 with, if it is replaced.If it isn't, and no other manufacturer steps in, the F53 Class A chassis will become the only chassis available.If there is a new version of the E450, most likely, it would be too expensive and time consuming for Steve to design a new set of floorpans and templates, so the will probably be the end. It could go the other way if a new chassis doesn't require huge amounts of modification and it's available in large quantities. Who really knows? If someone does, let me know.Larry
Re: The future of LD, inc. Reply #2 – March 21, 2018, 09:13:05 pm A March 16, 2018 article from Jerry Hirsch on Trucks.com summarizes FORD’s current truck strategy as outlined early this month by Jim Hackett, Ford’s president and chief executive, and other FORD senior managers.The article states the following regarding FORD's plan for the E450 chassis used by Lazy Daze:“Ford will extend production of its aging E-Series cutaway and stripped chassis into the 2020s. It also plans to add safety features, including automatic emergency braking and lane-departure warning to future E-Series, F-650, F-750 and F59 chassis vehicles.” 7 Likes