March 1997
The
Recreation Vehicle Industry Association reports that
recreation vehicle deliveries to retailers increased to
44,600 units in March, up 15.5% from last month but off
1.5% from this same month last year. Seasonally adjusted,
shipments in March declined to 459,300 units annualized,
down 6.7% from last month. Year-to-date totals have now
risen to 118,200 units, off just 1.7% from this same
period one year ago.
The Index
of Consumer Sentiment rose slightly to reach the 100.0
mark in the March survey, up a little from the 99.7
reading in February, according to the University of
Michigan’s Survey Research Center. This marked only
the fourth time in 30 years that the Index had attained
this lofty mark.
“Consumers
continue to judge their personal finances quite
favorably," reported Dr. Richard Curtin, director of
the survey. “Consumers expect inflation and
unemployment to remain at their current low levels and
have retained very favorable buying attitudes.”
Manufacturers
reporting in March indicate 3% of all conventional travel
trailers shipped were in excess of 10,000 lbs., whereas
for fifth wheel trailers that percentage is almost 22%.
For motorhomes, slightly more than 6% reported were in
excess of 26,000 lbs.
Towable RVs
Wholesale
deliveries of all towable RVs improved to 19,000 units in
March, 13% over last month and up marginally from this
same month one year ago. Year-to-date deliveries of all
towables have now risen to 51,300 units through the first
quarter this year, up 4.9% from this same period a year
earlier.
Conventional
travel trailers have led the way rising 7% to 19,900
units in the first quarter. Fifth wheel travel trailers
continue to do well, increasing to 13,200 units through
March, up 4.8% from this same period one year ago.
Folding camping trailers have reversed their decline of
last year and are now 4.7% ahead of 1996 through the
first quarter on deliveries of 15,600 units. Only truck
campers lag behind their 1996 totals for the first
quarter with deliveries of 2,600 units off 7.1% from last
year.
Motorhomes
Deliveries
to retailers of all motorhomes held even with last month
but the 4,400 units in March were off 20% compared to
this same month last year. All three motorhome types
declined in March leaving all motorhomes well short of
their year-to-date totals compared to this period last
year.
Conversion Vehicles
Improvements
in deliveries of all three styles of conversion vehicles
has brought totals here to 21,200 units, up 21% from last
month and up slightly from this same month last year. Van
conversions continue to dominate totals with 63% of this
group’s shipments. Pickup truck conversions
represent nearly 30%, leaving sport utilities with
approximately 8% of the conversion market.
Source: RVIA
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