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January 2005 The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) reports that wholesale shipments of all RVs made to dealers in January 2005 totaled 28,800 units, up 7.5% from this same month last year. Gains this month occurred in towable products including conventional travel trailers, fifth wheel trailers and truck campers.
The Index of Consumer Sentiment dipped slightly, slipping to 95.5 in the January 2005 survey, down from December’s reading of 97.1, according to the University of Michigan’s Survey Research Center. Although down slightly, there was no indication of a change in the prevailing positive level of consumer sentiment based on this month’s readings.
“Consumer’s do expect the economy to slow later this year”, said Dr. Richard Curtin, director of the survey. “Still, we expect real consumer spending will continue to grow but at a slower pace.”
Overall, retail sales of all RVs continued to provide favorable news in January with 3 of the 5 vehicle categories higher this month than at the same time last year. Final sales, as calculated from manufacturer reports, indicate fifth wheel travel trailers and type C motorhomes continue continue to be the fastest growing product categories.` Towable RVs
All towable RV shipments
were reported at 20,000 units in
the final month of 2004, up a
surprisingly strong 19.0% over a
very good final month last year.
Conventional travel trailers and
fifth wheel trailers were substantially
ahead while folding camping
trailers slipped a bit and
truck campers were even with
December one year ago.
All towable RV shipments for
the year reached 298,300 units,
up 15.2% and the highest total
for towables since 1973. Conventional
travel trailers (including
hybrid trailers) led all vehicle
categories with 163,600 units,
an increase of 17.0% over the
prior year. Fifth wheel trailers
rose 22% on total shipments of
91,000 units, an all-time record
high.
Motorhomes
All motorhome shipments of
5,900 units were reported in
December, a gain of 7.3% over
this same month last year. Year
to date, all motorhome shipments
grew 16.0% to 71,800
units, their best total since
1978.
Type A motorhomes were
again the category’s largest selling
products with shipments of
46,300 units, up 11.6% over
2003. Diesel chassis were
reported on 48.3% of all type A
motorhomes shipped in 2004,
the highest rate ever recorded.
Type C motorhome shipments of
23,000 units were 25.7% greater than 2003, the
fastest growing segment of the RV market in
2004.
Conversion Vehicles Shipments to retailers of all conversion vehicles were reported at 3,300 units in January 2005, off just 5.7% compared to this same month last year. Van conversions shipments were down 9.1% to post totals of 2,000 units while pickup truck and sport utility conversions held even with their totals from this same month one year ago. RVIA This
Chart Shows Total RV
Shipments 1991 - 2004 32.3
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