Source: TVA nouvelle
The vanlife with a baby boomer twist is at this year’s Salon du RV, thanks to a state-of-the-art recreational vehicle made in Terrebonne. At 21 feet long, the Montecarlo makes anyone who sees its fiberglass interior long for retirement.“We build it without wood. It’s the sinews of war,” says Jessica Galarneau, in the middle of the Salon du véhicule récréatif, at the Palais des congrès in Montreal. The head of Groupe Prestige will be producing 120 of them by 2024, compared with around a hundred last year.
photo julien mcevoy
Jessica Galarneau started working for her father’s company at the age of 13. The 33-year-old has been running the company for 10 years.
It is built on a Promaster or Transit chassis by Gala RV, a branch of the company founded in 1988 by his father. The 100% fiberglass interior is reminiscent of a boat, and is a big hit with visitors, as Le Journal noted on Thursday.
“As soon as people see it, they want it,” laughs the 33-year-old businesswoman who has been at the helm of the company for 10 years.
photo julien mcevoy
The FB21 leaves the Gala RV factory in Terrebonne and retails for $185,000. Designed to appeal to 50-somethings, it’s reminiscent of a sailboat or a gigantic 45-foot RV.
This product of the MRC des Moulins is proud to offer jobs to 30 people thanks to its plant, in addition to the 70 other jobs at subcontractors in Quebec dedicated to Gala VR. Only a few parts – refrigerator, awning – come from elsewhere in his trucks.
With its shower, two sinks, two retractable tables, swivel seats, solar panels and all the rest, the Montercalo is designed to appeal to the 50-something set. This quest for adventure comes at a price: $185,000, with no rental possible.
photo julien mcevoy
The interior is made of eight large pieces of fiberglass. The floor is one of them, as is the shower or kitchen unit.
NO MORE 45-FOOTERS
Jessica Galarneau’s ambition is to replace the 45-foot behemoth in the hearts of Quebecers. But she’s not the only one trying.
The show welcomes 21 exhibitors who transform the Palais des Congrès into a gigantic VR maze until Sunday. It’s the perfect opportunity to browse, dream and, who knows… buy.
photo julien mcevoy
When the RV Show opened on Thursday morning, there was a long line of curious onlookers waiting to get in.
“We already have a modified Dodge Caravan. This will be our second summer, and we’re looking at a Class B,” says Manon Roof, whom Le Journal met on Thursday with her boyfriend, Bertrand Roof.
photo julien McEvoy
Bertrand and Manon Roof visited the RV Show on Thursday morning. The Pointe-aux-Trembles couple hopes to upgrade to a Class B vehicle soon.
Another couple we’d bumped into a little further on were just browsing, getting ideas. “We’re getting close to retirement. Moving to a smaller place and traveling is a stimulating project,” dreams Antoine Galarneau, a 49-year-old mining technician from Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu.
photo julien mcevoy
Antoine Galarneau had to pose alone for Le Journal on Thursday. His lover wanted nothing to do with the camera!
NOT JUST FOR OLD PEOPLE
These two couples are Jessica Galarneau’s target clientele. They alone justify Groupe Prestige’s presence at the show.
If they can stumble upon the Montecarlo here, it’s thanks to the work of eight men who set up the kiosk on Monday night. Le Journal was on site.
photo julien mcevoy
The Groupe Prestige team finished setting up the kiosk at 4am on Monday night.
“We can’t wait to meet people. Our customers talk about their travels with stars in their eyes, and they post wonderful photos too,” one of them told us, between two hammer blows.
photo julien mcevoy
Yanick Gauvreau has been with Groupe Prestige since 2017. He is responsible for customer service.
Customers aren’t just enthusiastic on social networks, where the owners’ Facebook group is full of dreamy photos. Two of them even give up their time during the show to welcome visitors.
“It’s energizing to be here,” rejoices Pierre Labelle, 29,000 km on the odometer since 2019. Patricia Leroux, for her part, has 13,000, including her month-long trip to the Maritimes, about which she speaks with emotion.
photo julien mcevoy
Patricia Leroux and Pierre Labelle are part of the Montecarlo ownership group. Both have agreed to volunteer from Thursday to Sunday to spread the word.
Thanks to this community, Jessica Galarneau has almost no trouble convincing boomers to buy her product. But it’s not limited to them.
“Professionals who are lucky enough to telework really like us. Our clientele is getting younger and younger,” boasts the 33-year-old entrepreneur.