September 2004

The Recreation Vehicle Industy Association (RVIA) reports that delivery to retailers of all RVs in September were at 28,400 units, an increase of 5.6% above this same month last year. This represented an annualized rate of slightly more than 340,000 units, the lowest total so far this year. Production of special trailers in aid of recent weather related disaster victims effectively reduced this month’s production capacity of conventional travel trailers. Production of other products was not effected and shipment figures support a continuation of strong RV sales this year.

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September's totals pushed the year to date total to more than 289,400 units, a rise of 17.5% higher than at this same period last year. Gains in shipments have been roughly split between towables and motorhomes this year, with fifth wheel travel trailers and type C motorhomes leading their respective categories.

Importantly, retail sales of all RVs have fared better as well, rising for each vehicle category except folding camping trailers in the September survey of manufacturers. These readings confirm dealer inventories are slightly higher than what they were at this time last year in support of increased retail sales levels experienced throughout the first nine months of 2004.

The Index of Consumer Sentiment, as measured by the University of Michigan’s Survey Research Center, slipped lower in the September survey as consumer concern about slow growth in employment and higher gasoline prices grew. Still, consumer sentiment remains at near record highs.

“Despite a growing awareness of negative economic developments, consumers were slightly more optimistic that the economy would improve,” reported Dr. Richard Curtin, director of the survey.

Towable RVs

Shipments to retailers of all towable RVs were at 22,400 units in September, 5.7% ahead of the September total last year. Conventional travel trailers (including hybrids) were even with the 2003 figure while fifth wheel travel trailers were up 22.4% for the month.

Through the first nine months this year, shipments of all towables were at 233,100 units, up an impressive 16.3% compared to the first nine months last year. Led by fifth wheel and conventional travel trailers, totals for all towables are set to post 25 year highs in shipments.

Motorhomes

All motorhome shipments of 6,000 units were reported in September, 5.3% over September a year ago. Type A motorhome shipments were reported at 4,000 units this month, up 5.3% over this same month last year while type C shipments were up 5.9% and type B shipments broke even. Year to date, all motorhome shipments have totaled 56,300 units so far this year, the highest nine month total since 1999. Year to date, 18,800 type C motorhomes were shipped, a gain over this period last year of 35.3%.

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