September 2002

The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association reports that RV wholesale shipments again performed well in September, rising 28.1% over this same month last year to 26,900 units. This was the best September since 1999 and the second best since 1978. Shipments this year have been gaining strength just as last year they were weakening. Shipments in the third quarter of calendar year 2002 were up 27% over last year and year-to-date shipments of 242,100 units are ahead of last year by 18.1% through September. Seasonally adjusted, shipments through September are at an annual rate of 306,000 units, up more than 16% over totals for this month, one year ago. 

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Importantly, retail sales of all RVs have fared better as well, rising for each vehicle category surveyed. The data confirms little if any dealer inventory building has occurred during this latest wholesale shipment surge. 

The Index of Consumer Sentiment, as measured by the the University of Michigan’s Survey Research Center, declined slightly in the September survey of consumers erasing gains made earlier this year. Current data reflect a large number of mixed changes occurring occurring in consumer’s attitudes. Some positive, some negative. 

Dr. Richard Curtin, director of the consumer survey said, "To be sure, some of the cross-currents are due to uneven developments in the economy, but some are also due to either indecision or uncertainty among consumers. Concerns for falling stock prices and rising unemployment have been partly offset by a low inflation and low interest rate environment". 

Towable RVs

Shipment to retailers of all towable RVs were up 26.9% in September, compared to the same month one year ago. A total of 21,200 units of all towable RVs were delivered to retailers in September with conventional travel trailers gaining 39% and fifth-wheel trailers up 20.4%. 

Through the first nine months this year, shipments of all towables were at 196,000 units, up 17.2% compared to this same period last year. The total of 11,400 units of conventional travel trailers shipped in September were the most for this month since 1976 and the 5,900 units of fifth-wheel trailers were the most for any September. 

Motorhomes

Motorhome shipments of 5,700 units in September were 14% better than last month and 32.6% more than this same month last year. Type A motorhome shipment were at 3,700 units in September, up 23.3% over September 2001. This month just about half of the type A motorhomes shipped were diesel chassis and half gasoline powered. As for type B motorhomes, shipments improved from 200 units last year to 300 units this September. Type C motorhomes did best, growing 54.5% to 1,700 units in September 2002. 

Conversion Vehicles

Conversion vehicles staged an impressive gain of their own, rising 72.2% to 6,200 units this month. Van conversions remain the group’s largest vehicle category with nearly two-thirds of all conversions. Totals, year to date, have improved over last year and now stand at 52,100 units through September.

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Total RV Shipments 1990-2002
New - Only Recreation Vehicles