I just learned that NuWa, makers of HitchHiker 5th Wheels, will start up production again in June! Here's a message from Mike Mitchell, CEO of NuWa, that was posted today on the NuWa Owner's Forum http://www.nuwaowners.org/:
NuWa is developing a new business model and will be back in production in June. There, you heard it from the "horse's mouth".
Do me several favors, while I continue to put this plan into action. First of all let the world know when you have the opportunity. There are a lot of folks out there who had given up on buying a Hitchhiker, that I have no way of reaching. They need to hear they now have the choice of a HitchHiker. And continue to help the NuWa forum grow, as I hope to use it as a major communication tool for prospective HitchHiker buyers as well as owners. People who visit your forum slowly realize just how different NuWa's relationship with customers is. And it's a powerful marketing tool that I can not duplicate using any other media.
And two, if you were thinking about buying a unit from a dealer's lot or from the factory's inventory, don't hesitate to do so. These units are bargains, because NuWa and dealers are still discounting them as if we were going out of business. That won't be the case, when 2010 models are available. 2010 models will be nearly identical to 2009 models. No changes planned. Not all models will be available. 2007/2008 models are significantly less than 2009 or 2010 models, because they were priced/built before the major inflation that happened during 2008 calendar year. Once 2010 units are priced the reality of the value of 2007/2008/2009 models will be recognized. That said, the first 2010 models are not expected to increase in price over 2009 models.
And thirdly, be patient. I am working to develop a business plan that will be respectful and beneficial to all parties; i.e. NuWa, dealer/partners and our mutual customers. I will announce and explain this concept at a later time. MIKE
-- Edited by wmalefyt at 20:46, 2009-03-07
Luvglass said
10:09 PM Mar 7, 2009
That's great news. They make a very good product and the way they communicate with their customers via the forum is heads over any other RV manufacturer in my opinion.
LeslieW said
01:48 AM Mar 8, 2009
We love our NUWA HitchHiker Champagne. During this terrible economic time, Mike Mitchell and the NUWA employees have demonstrated incredible business ethics and honesty and have diligently supported NUWA Owners. We visited the NUWA factory for some warranty work in December, after it was announced that NUWA was closing their production facility (but that they were committed to maintaining their service facility at least until the end of 2010 to honor warranties on units sold). During our visit the production manager informed us of an additional repair item that we had never noticed, but that was covered by their warranty. As we didn’t want to remain in Kansas for NUWA to handle the issue immediately, the production manager instructed us to schedule a return trip to the factory on our trip back north in the spring. (He also pointed out a worn tire that was a safety issue and recommended that we have that taken care of at a tire facility immediately.) Even as employees were looking at an imminent lay-off, uniformly they were diligent and looking out for the NUWA owners. I spoke with individuals at the NUWA factory who had worked for NUWA for their entire career and individuals in town who had previously worked for NUWA suppliers, uniformly they spoke positively of NUWA quality. When so many companies are leaving their owners as orphans, NUWA stands way above the fray.
On Friday we posted a question regarding our external SeeLevel Tank Monitoring System on the NUWA Owner’s Forum (which is independently owned and controlled by three owners), within two hours a NUWA employee sent us a private message suggesting that we call him directly for assistance. We are impressed with the quality of the NUWA HitchHiker product and constantly amazed at the responsiveness and support of NUWA after the sale. We’re extremely happy that Mike Mitchell is brave enough to resume production in such a difficult economic time.
YEAH! GO! American Small Business! I would guess that NUWA and their suppliers are the major employers in Chanute, Kansas. Hopefully the re-emergence of NUWA means that the economy is ready for the upswing.
wmalefyt said
10:51 AM Mar 8, 2009
We are delighted to finally hear some positive news for a change!
After a lot of research we had settled on HitchHiker as our choice to purchase once our condo sells. They build a quality product and back it with quality customer service and factory support. Needless to say we were very depressed when Mike Mitchell announced the stopping of production last year. Now we are ecstatic to hear he will be starting up again in June. Now if we can sell our condo at a fair price maybe we can live our "RV Dream" in 2009 or 2010!
Let's hope this is just the beginning of the end of this horrible economy this country is in and that things will be on the move up again.
NuWa is developing a new business model and will be back in production in June. There, you heard it from the "horse's mouth".
Do me several favors, while I continue to put this plan into action. First of all let the world know when you have the opportunity. There are a lot of folks out there who had given up on buying a Hitchhiker, that I have no way of reaching. They need to hear they now have the choice of a HitchHiker. And continue to help the NuWa forum grow, as I hope to use it as a major communication tool for prospective HitchHiker buyers as well as owners. People who visit your forum slowly realize just how different NuWa's relationship with customers is. And it's a powerful marketing tool that I can not duplicate using any other media.
And two, if you were thinking about buying a unit from a dealer's lot or from the factory's inventory, don't hesitate to do so. These units are bargains, because NuWa and dealers are still discounting them as if we were going out of business. That won't be the case, when 2010 models are available. 2010 models will be nearly identical to 2009 models. No changes planned. Not all models will be available. 2007/2008 models are significantly less than 2009 or 2010 models, because they were priced/built before the major inflation that happened during 2008 calendar year. Once 2010 units are priced the reality of the value of 2007/2008/2009 models will be recognized. That said, the first 2010 models are not expected to increase in price over 2009 models.
And thirdly, be patient. I am working to develop a business plan that will be respectful and beneficial to all parties; i.e. NuWa, dealer/partners and our mutual customers. I will announce and explain this concept at a later time. MIKE
-- Edited by wmalefyt at 20:46, 2009-03-07
We love our NUWA HitchHiker Champagne. During this terrible economic time, Mike Mitchell and the NUWA employees have demonstrated incredible business ethics and honesty and have diligently supported NUWA Owners. We visited the NUWA factory for some warranty work in December, after it was announced that NUWA was closing their production facility (but that they were committed to maintaining their service facility at least until the end of 2010 to honor warranties on units sold). During our visit the production manager informed us of an additional repair item that we had never noticed, but that was covered by their warranty. As we didn’t want to remain in Kansas for NUWA to handle the issue immediately, the production manager instructed us to schedule a return trip to the factory on our trip back north in the spring. (He also pointed out a worn tire that was a safety issue and recommended that we have that taken care of at a tire facility immediately.) Even as employees were looking at an imminent lay-off, uniformly they were diligent and looking out for the NUWA owners. I spoke with individuals at the NUWA factory who had worked for NUWA for their entire career and individuals in town who had previously worked for NUWA suppliers, uniformly they spoke positively of NUWA quality. When so many companies are leaving their owners as orphans, NUWA stands way above the fray.
On Friday we posted a question regarding our external SeeLevel Tank Monitoring System on the NUWA Owner’s Forum (which is independently owned and controlled by three owners), within two hours a NUWA employee sent us a private message suggesting that we call him directly for assistance. We are impressed with the quality of the NUWA HitchHiker product and constantly amazed at the responsiveness and support of NUWA after the sale. We’re extremely happy that Mike Mitchell is brave enough to resume production in such a difficult economic time.
YEAH! GO! American Small Business! I would guess that NUWA and their suppliers are the major employers in Chanute, Kansas. Hopefully the re-emergence of NUWA means that the economy is ready for the upswing.
After a lot of research we had settled on HitchHiker as our choice to purchase once our condo sells. They build a quality product and back it with quality customer service and factory support. Needless to say we were very depressed when Mike Mitchell announced the stopping of production last year. Now we are ecstatic to hear he will be starting up again in June. Now if we can sell our condo at a fair price maybe we can live our "RV Dream" in 2009 or 2010!
Let's hope this is just the beginning of the end of this horrible economy this country is in and that things will be on the move up again.