Winnebago Industries Resurrects Minnie Winnie
Winnebago Industries Inc., based in Forest City, Iowa, has reintroduced the iconic Winnebago Minnie Winnie name with the launch of a new value-priced Type C product line that has a targeted manufacturer’s suggested retail price starting at approximately $60,000. The new Minnie Winnie line will be part of Winnebago Industries’ 2014 model-year motorhome offerings.
The Minnie Winnie 31K floor plan was unveiled at Winnebago Industries’ Dealer Open House, held September 18-20, 2012, in Elkhart, Indiana. The Minnie Winnie will be available in four floor plans, with lengths ranging from 25 feet to 31 feet. The 31K floor plan offers a large U-shaped dinette, a full-feature galley, a 32-inch LCD TV, flexible sleeping options, and storage that includes a large rear trunk.
“We’re providing an introductory peek at the 2014 Minnie Winnie to our dealers at both our Open House and the upcoming RVDA convention. This product will also be available in the new Itasca Spirit line,” said Scott Degnan, Winnebago Industries’ vice president of sales and product management. “The new 31K Minnie Winnie and Spirit are value-packed and perfect for entry-level buyers.”
For more information about the Minnie Winnie or other Winnebago Industries products, visit www.winnebagoind.com or call (641) 585-3535.
Newmar Delivers 1,000th Essex Coach
In August, Newmar Corporation, based in Nappanee, Indiana, handed the keys for the 1,000th Essex, a 2013 model, to its new owner, FMCA member Steve Biddle, F271183. Mr. Biddle accepted the keys to the coach from Newmar Corporation CEO Richard Parks and vice president of sales and marketing John Sammut at their Indiana service facility.
The Essex line evolved from the Mountain Aire Limited in 2003. The high-end motorhome boasts luxurious features, top-quality cabinetry, and exquisite paint finishes.
Newmar, established in 1968, is a privately owned company with a dealer network that spans the United States and Canada. For more information about Newmar products, visit www.newmarcorp.com or call (574) 773-7791.
Revised Bicycle Plan Allows Greater Access To National Parks
The National Park Service recently announced that it will expand bicycle access in parks nationwide while preserving the service’s responsibility to prohibit bikes in wilderness and other areas where they would have significant impact on the environment or visitor safety.
“Bikes are a great way to exercise, get healthy, and experience the great outdoors,” said National Park Service director Jonathan B. Jarvis. “This new rule gives park superintendents greater flexibility to determine where bikes can be allowed in a park and additional authority to shut areas where cycling is jeopardizing visitors or park resources.”
The rule gives park superintendents the authority to allow bicycles on roads that are closed to the motoring public, such as fire roads and roads used by park maintenance vehicles. Bikes are already allowed on park roads that are open to vehicles.
This rule moves National Park Service decisions about where bike use is appropriate from a regulatory to a planning process, while retaining rigorous environmental compliance requirements and mandatory public comment on proposals to open existing or new trails to bikes.
New trails outside of developed areas will continue to require a park-specific special regulation approved by the director of the National Park Service. The park service will continue to prohibit bicycle use in eligible, study, proposed, recommended, and designated wilderness areas.