Ford Transit, Winnebago Help Revive Van-Based Motorhome Segment and Build Loyal Followers

• After double-digit growth in 2016, van-based motorhomes are projected to become the fastest-growing segment in the motorhome industry for 2017; Ford Transit-based Winnebago Paseo is a newcomer in the Class B segment
• Paseo and Fuse motorhomes are the latest Winnebago products built on a Ford platform – a collaborative history that dates back nearly half a century and includes the iconic Ford E-Series chassis and gas-powered F-53 Class A motorhome chassis
• Ford Transit-based Fuse owners like the ride, driveability and power of the available 3.2-liter Power Stroke® I-5 diesel engine and performance; already drawing loyal followers, at a recent get-together in Cosby, Tennessee, Fuse campers shared their enthusiasm and pride of ownership

DEARBORN, Mich., May 17, 2017 – As Don and Sonya Pace backed their Ford Transit-based motorhome into a spot at Smoky Mountain Premier RV Resort in Cosby, Tennessee, the spring Winnebago Fuse owners’ get-together was officially under way. Setting up camp and meeting friends is a source of pride for these new Fuse owners and founders of the annual gathering.

The get-together is one of a handful of enthusiast events held around the country each year where owners of Winnebago motorhomes gather to enjoy the outdoors and talk about their travels aboard their Transit-based RVs. The Fuse, and its cousin, Winnebago Paseo, are among a fast-growing legion of motorhomes being built on the Ford Transit van platform.

Based on the company’s global van platform, Transit was introduced in the United States for 2015. Since then, the domestic RV industry has been quick to embrace the platform, which offers gas, diesel and CNG/propane gaseous prep options, as well as three available roof heights, three overall lengths and two wheelbases. Transit has been a boon for companies like Winnebago, which are creating a burgeoning Class B motorhome segment in addition to new products from the Transit cutaway chassis for the larger Class C segment.

“We looked at a lot of competitors, but once we saw how open the Fuse felt inside and how it still drives like a go-anywhere car, we were hooked,” said Don Pace. “We like that it’s built on a Ford platform – not just because it has great performance, but because there are more Ford dealers around the country, so there’s that peace of mind. We just love our Fuse.”

The Fuse uses a dual-rear-wheel Transit van cutaway chassis for a full-feature, 24-foot Class C motorhome with kitchen, bath and a slideout – for comfortable sleeping for four adults. The Paseo is a high-roof, extended-length Class B motorhome featuring a full bath, kitchen with refrigerator, and sleeping for two adults.

Industry-wide Class B sales grew 36 percent in the first three months of 2017. As a leader in the commercial van/cutaway and chassis segment for nearly 40 years, Ford has a long history with Winnebago and other leading motorhome manufacturers. The E-Series cutaway is still a top RV platform in the Class C segment, while Ford F-53 remains among the most popular gas-powered chassis for larger Class A motorhomes.

“Our customers have responded incredibly well to the new Transit platform,” said Russ Garfin, Winnebago product manager. “They love the driveability and the smooth ride, and the feedback on both of the engines we use – the EcoBoost® gas and five-cylinder diesel – has been great.”

Winnebago has more than 130 dealers offering Transit-based motorhomes across the United States and Canada. With gas prices the lowest they have been in years, Garfin expects he’ll be designing more versions off the Transit platform.

“With low fuel costs and people’s desire to disconnect and get away from it all, we expect sales of Transit-based motorhomes will continue to grow,” said Garfin. “With easy-to-use RVs like the Fuse and Paseo, there are more products for a wide range of customers.”

As for the Winnebago Fuse owners’ spring get-together, Sonya Pace said they had a great time in the Smoky Mountains and got to meet some of the greatest people on earth. “We got to talk about our Fuses and where we’ve been,” she said. “The new owners get help from the experienced owners.”

And they’re already planning next year’s event, posting pictures to Facebook and Instagram, making new friends and sharing travel stories. “We’re expecting more at our next event, which we hope to do in the western U.S. because we have a lot of members out there too,” said Sonya Pace.

Follow the Fuse owners’ club on Facebook at Winnebago Fuse Owners.

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The F-150 offers Best-in-Class gas mileage*, Best-in-Class payload**, and Best-in-Class towing*** along with innovations like available Pro Trailer Backup Assist™ and LED lighting. As the only pickup to earn a NHTSA 5-Star**** safety rating on all sides for every cab configuration as well as an IIHS Top Safety Pick on SuperCab and SuperCrew (when equipped with optional Forward Collision Warning), this is the safest F-150 ever.

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Ford F-150 Raptor Named "Best Pickup" in the Northwest Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year Mudfest

DEARBORN, Mich., May 10, 2017 – The 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor drove away with top truck honors in the Northwest Outdoor Activity Vehicle of the Year Mudfest. The “Best Pickup” award is based on two days of grueling on-road handling and off-road testing courses driven by 28 members of the Northwest Automotive Press Association at Ridge Motorsports Park in Shelton, Washington.

The competition featured 27 crossover and sport utility vehicles vying in six categories, including compact, premium compact, family, premium, pickups and extreme capability.

“The pickups category was extremely tough this year,” said Tuan Huynh, NWAPA Mudfest Event Chair., Northwest Automotive Press Association. “Ford F-150 Raptor won the hearts of our members for its prowess both on-road and off over two days of rigorous testing.”

The win is the latest in a long line of awards the all-new F-150 Raptor has taken home. It was named Pickup Truck of the Year by FOUR WHEELER and Best Pickup for 2017 by Cars.com, and was honored with the Autotrader Must Test Drive award. Raptor was also named Truck of the Year by Popular Mechanics and AutoGuide.com.

The recognition highlights Ford’s yearlong celebration of F-Series as best-selling truck in America for 40 consecutive years and best-selling vehicle in America for 35 consecutive years. Join the #40YearsTough celebration at www.40YearsTough.com.

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The purpose-built, off-road F-150 Raptor builds on the success of its predecessor with performance gains and new technology. The all-new Raptor stands alone among high-performance off-road trucks, featuring a high-output 3.5-liter EcoBoost® engine generating 450 horsepower and 510 lb.-ft. of torque, plus a segment-first 10-speed automatic transmission and six-mode Terrain Management System™. Its high-strength, military-grade, aluminum-alloy body saves 500 pounds over the previous model.

The 2017 F-150 Raptor’s competition-proven chassis also sets the performance bar with its second-generation BF Goodrich KO2 tires designed exclusively for the truck’s extended off-road capabilities. In addition, upgraded FOX Shocks (jointly engineered by Ford Performance and FOX) are 44 percent larger with 3-inch diameter shock canisters (2.5-inch previously) and nine-stage bypass damping delivering improved suspension control. The new shock design enables an increase in suspension travel to 13-inches at the front and 13.9-inches at the rear (a 0.8-inch front and 1.9-inch rear increase in wheel travel compared to its predecessor).