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The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association reports that total RV Shipments were lower in April for the first time in nearly 3 years, as shipments dipped to 32,200 units, off 6.1% from this same month last year. April was the first month that unit shipments were not higher than the year-earlier totals since May 1997, 34 months ago. In that time RV shipments have totaled nearly 1 million units and improved year over year to new record highs. Year to date, deliveries have climbed to 118,500 units through April this year, up 4.8% over this same period one year ago. Towables in particular have remained strong through this period while motorhomes have held even with a-year-earlier totals. Seasonally adjusted, shipments in April were at an annual rate of 293,300 units. It was January 1999 when annual rate totals were last below the 300,000 unit level. Still, year to date, shipments are running at an annualized rate of more than 325,000 units; up slightly from the 1999 record-setting total. The Index of Consumer Sentiment improved in the April survey, rising to 109.2 and remained near all-time record highs, according to the University of Michigan's Survey Research Center. "Unruffled by the wide swings in stock prices, consumers did not lose sight of the extraordinary strength in the national economy," reported Dr. Richard Curtin, director of the survey. "Importantly, spending plans have been largely unaffected by the anticipated hikes in interest rates." Although wholesale shipments declined slightly this month, there was no sign of retail sales softness. As measured by a survey of manufacturers, retail sales remained strong for all products, particularly so for towables. Towable RVs Wholesale shipments of all towable RVs decreased to 25,900 units in April, down slightly from last month and off 4.6% compared to this same month last year. Year-to-date shipments were at 93,500 units, up 6% compared to the first 4 months of 1999. Conventional travel trailers remain the largest single vehicle category of RVs, and with 12,300 units shipped in April represented more than 1/3 of all RV shipments. At 12,300 units, April shipments of conventional travel trailers were down just 0.8% compared to April last year. With 45,200 units through April, conventional travel tailers are 10.2% ahead of last year. Similar comparisons can be made about fifth-wheel trailers. In April, shipments totaled 6,500 units, the same as last year, while year-to-date totals of 23,600 units are 15.1% ahead of the 1999 pace. Folding camping trailers have had the toughest year so far, dropping 9.3% from last year on shipments of 20,500 units. Truck campers are up slightly at 4,200 units. Motorhomes Wholesale shipments of all motor homes totaled 6,300 units in April, off 11.3% from this same month one-year ago. Year to date, shipments of all motorhomes are off just 0.4% through April and at an annual rate of more than 68,000 units. Conventional type A motorhomes were off 10.9% in April, and down 700 units from last month. Type B motorhomes have held steady and at 1,300 units year to date, are 18.2% ahead so far this year. Type C motorhomes were down in April but even, year to date. Conversion Vehicles Wholesale deliveries of all conversion vehicle products were again lower in April but that rate of decline has slowed. At 13,100 units, all conversion vehicle shipments were 10.3% behind April last year. Van conversions and sport utility vehicles were down while pickup truck conversions continued to improve. Year to date, van conversions were at 28,700 units, off 20.3%, sport utility conversions were at 2,800 units, down 40.4%, while pickup truck conversions surged ahead on totals of 13,300 units, up 9.9%. . Click Here For
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