Outdoorsy recently launched its Vehicle Purchase Program, an internet sales and distribution model for campervans and RVs. This new, one-stop purchasing platform gives consumers factory-direct access for buying RVs that have historically been unavailable to the average consumer.
Outdoorsy’s new platform streamlines the online buying process for campervans and RVs, with the initial models to be provided by Mercedes-Benz with financing provided by Daimler Financial Services. The new platform works in tandem with dealers and upfitters.
Introduced as the Outdoorsy Vehicle Purchase Program, individual owners, as well as rental fleet managers, now have factory-direct access — from purchase and financing to insurance, listing, and renting — all within the Outdoorsy marketplace to fulfill growing demand.
“We are geared toward consumers and small- to mid-sized businesses who don’t have the purchasing power bigger rental companies do. The Vehicle Purchase Program gives users a simple, hassle- and headache-free way to grow their business,” said Outdoorsy CEO Jeff Cavins. “Whether you’re adding a campervan for personal use, just getting started as a lister on Outdoorsy, or are a ‘Pro’ dealer wanting to expand your fleet, we’ve designed this program to enhance transparency while eliminating the friction and high costs associated with traditional purchasing and financing methods.”
For Outdoorsy RV owners, this announcement means they’ll be able to solve their most difficult operational needs and focus on the core of their business. For Outdoorsy RV renters, this means more searchable vehicle options.
Outdoorsy’s new program launches first with Mercedes-Benz and Sportsmobile, and Outdoorsy is currently in conversations with additional manufacturers to further expand product selection in the marketplace. Mercedes-Benz was selected for its Sprinter and Metris vans.
Kyle Columbus, Outdoorsy’s director of business development for OEM relationships, joins Outdoorsy from Mercedes-Benz, where he spent almost a decade developing digital delivery programs and products. Columbus is responsible for spearheading the buildout of Outdoorsy’s Vehicle Purchase Program.
“Outdoorsy’s Vehicle Purchase Program is in strategic alignment with manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz who are seeing explosive global demand for campervans, which are especially popular among millennials,” said Columbus. “In fact, millennials and Gen Xers represent more than 70 percent of all campervan and RV rentals on Outdoorsy. … This new program will unlock much-needed supply for this fast-growing audience.”
Outdoorsy’s 2020 prices for all Sprinter vans are set at discounted rates. Meanwhile, Sportsmobile, a Class B upfitter, will prioritize Outdoorsy vehicle purchasers. And through Daimler Financial Services, Outdoorsy will offer commercial financing for aspiring small businesses, Pro owners, and dealers purchasing from one to multiple vehicles at a time.
“By making the most popular units more accessible to consumers wanting to experience RV travel and ownership, Outdoorsy is solving a huge problem in the supply-constrained RV and campervan marketplace with their new one-stop shop model,” said Paul Meyer, president of Sportsmobile.
Outdoorsy’s new program will complement existing businesses, such as dealers and upfitters, by bringing the traditional offline experience into the digital age and providing expanded reach to younger audiences, according to the company. Preferred dealers will receive credit for Outdoorsy sales and serve as a pickup destination for completed and upfitted vans, allowing them to offer valuable service agreements and warranties to the buyer.
