There Van life This year, baby boomer style is coming to the RV Show, thanks to a state-of-the-art recreational vehicle made in Terrebonne. At 21 feet long, the Montecarlo will make anyone who sees its fiberglass interior want to retire.
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“We build it without wood. That’s the crux of the matter,” says Jessica Galarneau in the middle of the Recreational Vehicle Show at the Palais des Congrès in Montreal. The head of the prestige group will produce 120 copies in 2024, compared to around a hundred last year.
Jessica Galarneau began working for her father's company at the age of 13. The 33-year-old has been running it for 10 years. Photo Julien Mcevoy
It is based on a Promaster or Transit chassis from Gala RV, a branch of the company founded by his father in 1988. The 100% fiberglass interior is reminiscent of a boat and is very popular with visitors, Le Journal noted on Thursday
“As soon as people see it, they want it,” laughs the 33-year-old entrepreneur, who has been at the helm of the company for 10 years.
The FB21 leaves the Gala RV factory in Terrebonne and retails for $185,000. It is designed for people aged 50 and over and is reminiscent of a sailboat or a huge 45-foot motorhome. Photo Julien Mcevoy
This MRC des Moulins product is proud to offer employment to 30 people thanks to its factory, in addition to 70 other jobs at subcontractors in Quebec dedicated to Gala RV. Only a few parts – refrigerator, awning – come from other parts of his trucks.
With its shower, two sinks, two pull-out tables, swivel seats, solar panels and everything else, the Montercalo is designed to appeal to people over 50. This spirit of adventure costs: $185,000, rent-free.
The interior consists of eight large pieces of fiberglass. The floor is one, like the shower or the kitchen area. Photo Julien Mcevoy
Done, the 45 feet
Jessica Galarneau's goal is to replace the 45-foot giant in the hearts of Quebecers. But she's not the only one trying.
The trade fair welcomes 21 exhibitors who will transform the convention center into a giant VR labyrinth until Sunday. The opportunity is perfect for looking, dreaming and who knows… buying.
When the RV Show opened Thursday morning, there was a long line of curious people waiting to get in. Photo Julien Mcevoy
“We already have a modified Dodge Caravan. It will be our second summer, we are looking for a class B,” says Manon Roof, who met Le Journal on Thursday in the company of her lover Bertrand Roof.
Bertrand and Manon Roof visited the Salon du VR on Thursday morning. The couple from Pointe-aux-Trembles would like to switch to a class B vehicle soon. Photo Julien McEvoy
Another couple we met further away were there to look around and get ideas. “We are getting closer 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.
Antoine Galarneau had to pose alone for Le Journal on Thursday. His lover wanted nothing to do with the camera! Photo Julien Mcevoy
Not just for old people
These two couples are Jessica Galarneau's target audience. They alone justify the presence of the Prestige Group at the trade fair.
The fact that you come across the Montecarlo here is thanks to the work of eight men who set up the kiosk in the night from Monday to Tuesday. The diary was there.
The Prestige Group team completed the construction of the kiosk at 4 a.m. on the night of Monday to Tuesday. Photo Julien Mcevoy
“We can’t wait to meet people. “Our customers talk about their trips with stars in their eyes, they also publish great photos,” one of them told us between two blows of the hammer.
Yanick Gauvreau has been working at Groupe Prestige since 2017. He is responsible for customer service. Photo Julien Mcevoy
Not only are customers enthusiastic on social networks, the owners' Facebook group is also full of photos that make you dream. Two of them even take time during the show to greet visitors.
“It’s invigorating to be here,” says Pierre Labelle, who has 29,000 km on the clock since 2019. Patricia Leroux has 13,000 km, including her month-long journey at sea, which she talks about with emotion.
Patricia Leroux and Pierre Labelle come from the Montecarlo ownership group. The two agreed to volunteer to spread the good news from Thursday to Sunday. Photo Julien Mcevoy
Thanks to this community, Jessica Galarneau has almost nothing to do to convince baby boomers to buy her product. But it is not limited to them.
“Skilled workers who are lucky enough to work remotely really like us. “Our customers are getting younger and younger,” boasts the 33-year-old entrepreneur.
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