|
The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association reports that recreation vehicle shipments to retailers continued their record-setting pace in October 1999, rising to 27,200 units, up 9.2% ahead of this same month last year. Year to date, totals have now reached 278,200 units, up 9.4% above this point last year. Conventional travel trailers, truck campers, and Type A motorhomes gained the most in October and along with Type C motorhomes, have performed best, year to date. The Index of Consumer Sentiment fell to 103.2 in the October survey, according to the University of Michigan's Survey Research Center, reversing several months of recent gains. Although the Index has sagged to its lowest level since the start of this year, consumer confidence remains at record levels. "Rising interest rates were expected to slow the pace of economic growth," according to Dr. Richard Curtin, director of the Survey. "However, consumers did not expect the slowdown to adversely affect either their job or income prospects." Towable RVs Shipments of all towable RVs totaled 21,000 units in October, up 11.7% over this same month last year. This marked the eighth consecutive month where towables exceeded 20,000 units and, year to date, towables have now reached 217,000 units. Conventional travel trailers leaped ahead in October to 10,100 units, 24.7% ahead of this month last year. Year to date, shipments of conventional travel trailers have now exceeded 100,000 units for the first time in 20 years. Motorhomes October proved to be another good month for type A motorhomes as shipments gained 7% to 4,600 units. Year to date, conventional type A motorhomes were at 42,000 units through October, up 16.7% from this same period last year. All motorhome shipments grew just 1.6% for the month; but, year to date, are at 61,200 units, up 13.3%, the best since 1984. Conversion Vehicles All conversion vehicle shipments totaled 11,300 units in October, down slightly from this month, one year ago. Van conversions were down 3.7%, while pickup truck conversions were slightly ahead and sport utility conversions were the same. Year to date, all conversion vehicle shipments were at 132,500 units, up 6.1% over this same period last year. Click Here For
|
|
