Since the production of the Pegasus and Olympus, have Bailey made a clear statement as to their intention to discontinue any of the other models? It was widely commented upon on here that the Pegasus was to replace the Senator, but as far as I am aware there are still Senators being sold as new and both the Senator and Pageant (& Ranger) are still featured on their website, with no mention that either model is due to be discontinued. It could be that they have not yet mentioned this 'officially' because of any effect on sales, and that vans on sale are essentially 'old stock'.
Less has been said about the Olympus replacing the Pageant, but this is where my interest lies, particularly as I am coming around to the time to renew my old for new insurance. If I needed to claim for a new van under insurance I need to be covered for the cost of a new van. As a direct replacement for our Pageant Sancerre, the equivalent Olympus would be less than satisfactory (4" in width means a lot to us and is taken off the passage between the wardrobe and the fixed bed), so we would need to go for a different make. It would suit us if the Bailey Sancerre was still rolling off the production line for the next 12 months (at least). In the end we would probably have to be looking at a replacement from a different company, and I suppose the insurance company would advise when I come to talk to them in July. I just thought I would seek clarification before having the conversation with them.
I don't think Bailey have officially said anything (haven't heard it, if they have) but I get the impression they are moving towards all Alu-Tech production, so that obviously means that all "traditionally built" models will be dropped at some point.
They've recently spent well over a million pounds on new manufacturing kit for the Alu-Tech system, but there will be a transition period from the old model range to whatever the new turns out to be. How long that period will be is anyone's guess - maybe even Bailey doesn't yet know.
------------- * You never know where you're going 'til you get there...
Quote: Originally posted by Viggo on 06/6/2010
I don't think Bailey have officially said anything (haven't heard it, if they have) but I get the impression they are moving towards all Alu-Tech production, so that obviously means that all "traditionally built" models will be dropped at some point.
They've recently spent well over a million pounds on new manufacturing kit for the Alu-Tech system, but there will be a transition period from the old model range to whatever the new turns out to be. How long that period will be is anyone's guess - maybe even Bailey doesn't yet know.
This is what I thought, Viggo, but thoght I would ask the question as I remember 'everybody' saying the Senator was no more. Thanks for your reply.
If width is an important factor, then uk manufacturers may well be adding wider vans to their ranges to cater for any demand due to new width regulations. Does this new for old system mean that you can specify which new van can replace the old van? I thought it was just a sum of money that would be the equivalent to the 'new' value of the insured van.
Quote: Originally posted by brianconwy on 06/6/2010
If width is an important factor, then uk manufacturers may well be adding wider vans to their ranges to cater for any demand due to new width regulations. Does this new for old system mean that you can specify which new van can replace the old van? I thought it was just a sum of money that would be the equivalent to the 'new' value of the insured van.
Generally, you can specify the van but it has to be like for like and they get the van for you direct from a retailer (and therefore get any discount - but they are very fair, in my experience). You couldn't replace a small single axle for a large double axle etc. Generally they would want to replace a Pageant Sancerre with another Sancerre, but an up-to-date model. If the Sancerre is no longer produced they would negotiate, so there would be some flexibility - you could go for a different make.
Our 2007 Bailey Vendee was stolen last year and they replaced it with a Sancerre as the Vendee is no longer in production. The Sancerre was our choice entirely. Of course, you have to be insured for the value of the new van at the time of your renewal.
I think it was a strange decision by Bailey to produce the Olympus 4inches narrower than the Pegasus. They obviously had their reasons. Its difficult to imagine that it was for cost saving purposes but perhaps I have got that wrong. As to models under the Pegasus/Olympus ranges I suppose it will be decided on a cost basis. One would imagine there could be cost savings in having one type of production but whether they could maintain the value they currently have with their less expensive models if they moved to total Alu-Tech production. Only time will tell.
"Bailey of Bristol report that retail sales at the Boat & Caravan Show, held at the NEC, reached the value of £6.7 million, compared with £4.5 million at the same event last year.
.........
Bailey say that this achievement was due to the positive public reaction to the new Bailey Pegasus and Olympus caravan ranges, featuring the ground breaking new Alu-Tech body shell construction system, which accounted for 90% of the total business written. Following the public acceptance of this award winning technology Bailey now plan to roll it across the whole product portfolio within the next twelve months."
This quote was from the beginning of March so I doubt there will be any 2011 'standard construction' vans.
Remember that the Pageant S7 was unique in being 7' 6", the Pageant S6 (& earlier) were 7' 2" vans.
I also disagree that the Olympus is a suitable replacement for the Pageant S7 so that is why we ended with a Pegasus. As well as the 4" width, the Olympus looses the better fridge & the Omnivent.
On that basis then perhaps a Pegasus 534 would have to be your insured level.
From when we were looking in March, the only Pageant models were the ones on dealer forecourts. Pageants were not available to order.
Interesting I had thought from reading the trade magazines that they had stopped the Senator production and that thus you could get a bargain from the last few in stock.
You would think that they woould not want to continue with dual production methods for long.
Quote: Originally posted by David Klyne on 06/6/2010
I think it was a strange decision by Bailey to produce the Olympus 4inches narrower than the Pegasus. They obviously had their reasons.
David
They've doubtless done their market research. A friend is getting an Olympus because the Pegasus is too wide to fit up his drive! Maybe there are hundreds of other people in a similar situation...
------------- * You never know where you're going 'til you get there...
The thought of new for old cover on the insurance crossed my mind, we've just renewed last week & Caravan Guard simply told me the value of the cover. I didn't ask the question but I hope they'd send a cheque for the van in the event of a total loss claim.
As far as Alutec construction is concerned, I only see Ranger, Olympus & Pegasus lined up on our local dealers forecourt. They had one Senator last time we walked up to look around but no new Pageants.
Reference the narrower Olympus, we thought this might have been done to give customers a choice. As Viggo has said, some people may not be able to get the wider vans on the drive for storage. Others may feel more comfortable towing the narrower option, I certainly notice the difference between the Series 5 & Series 7 Pageants & perhaps not offering a narrower option may cost them sales.
Remember that the Pageant S7 was unique in being 7' 6", the Pageant S6 (& earlier) were 7' 2" vans.
I also disagree that the Olympus is a suitable replacement for the Pageant S7 so that is why we ended with a Pegasus. As well as the 4" width, the Olympus looses the better fridge & the Omnivent.
On that basis then perhaps a Pegasus 534 would have to be your insured level.
From when we were looking in March, the only Pageant models were the ones on dealer forecourts. Pageants were not available to order.
I agree with al your comments here, Zafiral. I just don't know if the insurance people would accept an insurance level higher than the actual new value of the existing van. It's worth a try though, and this would be my prefered option. I just wanted to be clear as to whether the Sancerre would be available as a new van, or not.
Quote: Originally posted by Basilbrush on 06/6/2010
As far as Alutec construction is concerned, I only see Ranger, Olympus & Pegasus lined up on our local dealers forecourt. They had one Senator last time we walked up to look around but no new Pageants.
Reference the narrower Olympus, we thought this might have been done to give customers a choice. As Viggo has said, some people may not be able to get the wider vans on the drive for storage. Others may feel more comfortable towing the narrower option, I certainly notice the difference between the Series 5 & Series 7 Pageants & perhaps not offering a narrower option may cost them sales.
BB
I can see that there might be those for whom a narrower van might be an attraction. I do feel that the Olympus version of the Sancerre (the 534) is just too narrow for us in between the fixed double and the wardrobe. Otherwise, I think I actually prefer the decor of the Olympus, and can see that other models would work better, IMHO.
Pageants are still on Bailey's price list (probably for the benefit of dealers who still have them in stock), I would discuss the issue with the insurance company & ask what they would payout in the event of a total loss if the insured van is no longer in production. As 7' 6" was a big selling point of the Pageant S7 then if you make clear that a narrower van would not be suitable then if they are willing to take the increased premium for the higher insured value then they should pay out based on it.
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Topic: What will Bailey do next?
