MHC Introduces Luxury Motorhome During Cross-Country Tour Desert Fox Offers An Industry First: Built-In Garage, Two Fireplaces, Plus More Storage and Living Space

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif., May 15 /PRNewswire/ -- MHC Group, Inc. today unveiled the industry's first luxury motorhome with a built-in garage.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010515/DETU012 )

The Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. manufacturer of high-end RVs will showcase its new Desert Fox to dozens of RV dealers from California to Michigan during a 15-day cross-country tour. The Desert Fox, which is the first motorhome built on the new mid-engine chassis by Michigan-based Spartan Motors, Inc. (NASDAQ:SPAR) , offers 30 percent more storage and living space than comparable 39-foot coaches. The built-in garage allows motorhome owners to bring their favorite "toys" -- such as bicycles, canoes, ATVs or wave runners -- with them on vacation and still tow a car or truck behind the coach.

"The Desert Fox will give motorhome owners what they are clamoring for: more usable space and a distinctive vehicle that will set them apart from their neighbors," said Gordie Hakes, owner and CEO of MHC Group. "As a dealer myself, I spend a lot of time talking with RVers about the innovations they'd like to see. Having a foot in the retail world gives me a leg up on other manufacturers and allows us to be first to market with some very innovative designs driven by customer input."

The Desert Fox joins the Skydeck as 2002 additions to MHC's product line of Class A motorhomes and fifth wheels. The Skydeck, which was unveiled at the Family Motor Coaching Association rally in April, expands entertaining options by adding a rooftop deck with a built-in grill and seating for up to 18 people. MHC plans to begin shipping the Desert Fox (expected to retail between $275,000 and $325,000) and the Skydeck (patent pending on the vehicle, which is expected to retail between $265,000 and $300,000) soon.

MHC is also the first motorhome manufacturer to build on Spartan's mid- engine chassis, the Me2, since it debuted last winter at the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) trade show. The Me2 chassis shifts the engine and transmission to the center of the coach, allowing MHC to add a built-in garage and giving it more flexibility in floor plan design.

The 39-foot Desert Fox features:

Four slide outs. The two slides in the front of the coach allow MHC to offer an island kitchen instead of the standard built-in appliances and cupboards.

Extra-large built-in garage with enough space to house a subcompact car, several motorcycles, bicycles, canoes, ATVs, etc.

Premium interior touches, including cherry cabinets, two fireplaces, high- end upholstery and a premium entertainment center.

  Up to 30 percent more storage and living space.
  Improved handling, smoother ride and easier maintenance.

With the introduction of the Desert Fox, MHC reduced the time it takes to bring a coach from the drawing board to the showroom floor by nearly 12 months.

"We started with Spartan's innovative Me2 chassis as the foundation, added a creative floor plan that features the flexible living space our customers want, and topped it off with extra touches like cherry cabinetry and dual fire places to distinguish the Desert Fox from other motorhomes on the market," Hakes said. "We think the end result is a beautiful coach that will allow RVers to make a real lifestyle statement."

John Sztykiel, president and chief operating officer of Spartan Motors, said the Me2 chassis is the perfect way for RVers to get away from it all -- but still take it all with them.

"The Desert Fox offers the ultimate RV vacation: families no longer have to make the choice between taking their 'toys' and towing a vehicle with them," he explained. "Our new mid-engine chassis allows manufacturers like MHC to accommodate RVers' demands for more usable living and storage space."

MHC Group, Inc. specializes in designing and manufacturing mid- to high- end gas and diesel motorhomes and fifth-wheel travel trailers. Based in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., MHC Group builds vehicles under the Desert Fox, Skydeck, Pinnacle, Summit, Residency and Traveleze brands.

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Source: MHC Group, Inc.

Contact: Mary Ann Sabo or Jill Ward of Lambert, Edwards & Associates,
Inc., 616-233-0500, or mail@lambert-edwards.com , for MHC Group, Inc.