May 2003

The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) reports that deliveries to retailers of all RV wholesale shipments were measured at 26,200 units in May this year, off 7.7% from one year ago. Year to date, shipments have grown to 133,700 units, up 2.5% over the same period last year.

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Concerns about current economic conditions and rising unemployment held back an overall rise in consumer confidence in May, as measured by the University of Michigan’s Survey Research Center. Long-term prospects for the economy and lower interest rates teamed to push overall confidence higher and near its same level as this time last year.

“Such combinations of bleak current assessments and a surge in long-term prospects are common at economic turning points,” reported Dr. Richard Curtin, director of the survey. “Consumers expect lower interest rates, lower unemployment and lower prices lie ahead.” 

Towable RVs

Total shipments of all towable RVs were at 21,600 units in May this year, off 6.9% from a very strong May total last year. Year to date, totals for all towable RVs were at 109,100 units, up 3.5% over this same period last year due largely to the strong January performance of shipments.

Conventional travel trailers continue to perform well, rising 4.1% over this same month last year. Particularly strong were shipments of conventional travel trailers with slideouts in excess of 30 feet. Growth here has fueled the overall trailer market so far this year. 

Motorhomes

Wholesale shipments of all motorhomes were off 11.5% from this month last year with totals of 4,600 units in May. Type A motorhomes were off the least with shipments of 2,900 units in May, representing 63% of all motorhome shipments this month.

Year to date, all motorhome shipments were at 24,600 units, a slight decline so far this year of just 1.6% compared to 2002. Type A motorhome shipments are slightly ahead while type B and type C shipments are slightly behind this point last year. Still, shipment totals for all motorhomes are running at an annual rate of approximately 60,000 units. 

Conversion Vehicles

Growth in conversion vehicle shipments took a step backwards in May, slipping 24.2% to 5,000 units. RVIA

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Total RV Shipments 1990-2003
New - Only Recreation Vehicles