General RV Center Earns RVB Top 50 Dealer Designation
WIXOM, Mich. – General RV Center, based in Wixom, Mich., has been honored among RVBusiness’s 11th annual Top 50 Dealer Awards, according to a release from the dealer group. The annual list is chosen from nominations by U.S. and Canadian RV manufacturers. Nominees are then reviewed by a panel of industry executives during a two-day session after Labor Day at the RV/MH Hall of Fame in Elkhart, Ind.
The panel reviews sales volume, marketing savvy, aggressive employee training, cutting-edge service, community involvement and a commitment to consumer care. General RV, along with the rest of the designated dealers, will be recognized this year during the 2022 RV Dealers Convention/Expo held Nov. 7-11 by the National RV Dealers Association (RVDA), RVDA of Canada and the Mike Molino RV Learning Center in Las Vegas.
Despite the pandemic and global supply chain issues, General RV has expanded its reach and recorded a 31% increase in revenue from 2020 to 2021. The new Top 50 Dealer recognition comes as the nation’s largest family-owned RV dealer celebrates 60 years of business.
“This recognition is truly a testament to the hard work, dedication and passion of the General RV family,” said Loren Baidas, president of General RV Center. “We have experienced record growth in multiple areas with strong RV sales, several construction and expansion projects, continuous hiring of new talent and more. An immense thank you is owed to our customers, employees and RV manufacturing partners; all of whom play a major role in General RV’s success.”
Soaring interest in RVing is only part of General RV’s success story
Over the last two years, interest in camping and RVing has soared and scores of first-time buyers have purchased recreational vehicles. According to the 2022 North American Camping Report, camping accounted for 40% of all leisure trips taken in 2021, with 53% of travelers including camping in some or all of their vacation plans.
Moreover, a consumer survey conducted by the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association revealed 72 million Americans plan to go RVing in 2022. That’s an 18% increase over the previous year, which was already an incredibly busy one for RV dealers, campgrounds and resorts.
To help meet demand and continue providing world-class experience for customers, General RV has continually reinvested in its dealerships and facilities. The company recently completed a $10 million dollar expansion of its RV service center in Tampa, Florida. Additionally, in April 2021, it opened a new RV Inspection Facility located near Elkhart, Indiana. General RV also opened its 14th RV dealership in Pennsylvania last year.
Baidas acknowledges that reaching this milestone anniversary and these achievements have been made possible because of General RV’s customers and employees. “We have some of the best people in the industry, and they are the heart of General RV. Our team members are totally focused on the customer experience – in our dealerships and beyond – and that sets us apart from any other RV dealer.”
As in other industries, supply chain and labor shortages affected RV production early on, but manufacturers adapted and the RV industry reported record shipments for 13 consecutive months. Baidas confirmed that General RV dealerships are well stocked once again after nearly two years of limited inventory. “We have a vast selection of pop-up campers, travel trailers, fifth wheels, gas and diesel motorhomes, camper vans and more so now’s the perfect time for anyone to begin their own RV adventure.”
About General RV
Founded in Michigan in 1962, General RV Center is the nation’s premier RV dealer. The company operates 14 full-service dealerships in Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Virginia, Florida, Utah and Pennsylvania. Each location offers a large selection of RVs for sale, RV service facilities and retail RV parts and accessories. The company is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. Visit GeneralRV.com for more information.
Source: https://rvbusiness.com/general-rv-center-earns-rvb-top-50-dealer-designation/