New RV Shipments

These are the Latest Figures Available

March 1998

The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association reports that shipments of RVs surged ahead in March to 28,400 units, up 31.5% from last month and up 21.4% from this same month last year. This strong showing marked the best March total in 20 years as all vehicle categories participated in the gain. Year-to-date totals have now climbed to 71,900 units, up 11.6% over this same period last year, and by a wide margin, represents the best 1st quarter beginning since 1978.

The Index of Consumer Sentiment slipped some from its all-time high of 110.4 last month to 106.5 in the March survey according the the University of Michigan's Survey Research Center.

"The March survey indicated that the underlying strength in consumer confidence remains undiminished and substantial," reported Dr. Richard Curtin, director of the survey. "The Index averaged 107.8 in the first quarter of 1998, the highest quarterly level ever recorded."

Retail sales activity of 4 out of 5 vehicle categories reported by manufacturers remains ahead of a-year-ago readings. Fifth-wheel travel trailers and type A motorhomes improved again in March as final sales of only type C motorhomes now trail in rate of change reports.

Towable RVs

Reported shipments of all towable RVs rose to 22,400 units in March, up 31.8% over last month and up 21.4% over this same month, one year ago. Totals for travel trailers soared to 9,200 units this month, the highest March total for these products since 1979. Fifth-wheel trailers rose to 5,300 units, best March total ever. Folding camping trailer shipments increased 47% over the previous month and were 19% greater than this same month last year.

Year to date, towables have reached 57,000 units, up 11.1% over this same period last year and the best first quarter start for towables since 1977. This marked the best start ever for fifth wheels, where more than 8 out of 10 fifth-wheel trailers shipped in March had a slideout room.

Motorhomes

Deliveries to retailers in March for all motorhomes improved nearly 40% over last month and were 36.4% higher than this same month one year ago. All motorhome categories participated in this month's improvement led by the 45% increase in type C shipments.

Year to date, motorhome totals were at 14,900 units in the first quarter, up 13.7% over this same period last year and the best first quarter totals since 1989.

Conversion Vehicles

Shipments to retailers increased more than 5% over last month, but are still 38% behind March of last year.

Source: RVIA

March 1998
(Units in Thousands 000)
  Mar
97		 Mar
98		 % Change
Over Last
Year		 Cum.
1997		 Cum.
1998		 % Change
From Year
To Date
Travel Trailers - Conventional 7.5 9.2 22.7% 19.9 23.8 19.6%
Travel Trailers - Fifth Wheel 4.7 5.3 12.8% 13.2 14.1 6.8%
Folding Camping Trailers 5.8 6.9 19.0% 15.6 16.5 5.8%
Truck Campers 1.0 1.0 0.0% 2.6 2.6 0.0%
ALL TOWABLE RVs 19.0 22.4 17.9% 51.3 57.0 11.1%
Motorhomes - Conv. Type A 3.0 4.01 33.3% 8.9 10.1 13.5%
Van Campers - Type B 0.3 0.4 33.3% 1.0 0.9 -10.0%
Mini - Type C 1.1 1.6 45.5% 3.2 3.9 21.9%
ALL MOTOR HOMES 4.4 6.0 36.4% 13.1 14.9 13.7%
Total RV Deliveries (Towables & Motor Homes) 23.4 28.4 21.4% 64.4 71.9 11.6%
             

 

Conversion Vehicle Deliveries
 

Mar.
1997

Mar.
1998

Percent of Change Over Last Year

Cumulative
1997

Cumulative
1998

 Percent of Change From Year-to-Date
Van Conversions 13.4 9.7 -27.6% 34.2 25.0 -22.8%
Pickup Truck Conversions 6.2 2.7 -56.5% 17.0 9.3 -45.3%
Sports Utility Conversions 1.6 0.7 -56.3% 4.4 2.3 -47.7%
Total Conversion Vehicle Deliveries 21.2 13.1 -29.1% 53.8 36.3 -32.0%
Total RV Shipments 1978 - 1998
  1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998
JAN 29.6 31.3 15.9 14.4 14.3 23.4 28.2 28.4 31.4 30.6 30.1 31.7 30.3 16 29.2 32.6 *37.1 38.7 36.8 35.0 33.0
FEB 38.1 33.8 15.6 16.9 16.4 24.2 31.9 30.8 30.4 31.3 33.9 34.3 29.5 16.9 31.8 30.2 *33.0 38.6 37.8 38.6 34.0
MAR 54.3 40.1 16.5 22.3 23.7 32.9 40.9 33.8 34.6 38.6 39.3 38.2 35 24.1 36 39.4 *52.8 47.4 45.2 44.6 41.5
APR 58.2 38.6 14.3 24.5 26.2 35.5 43.4 38.9 39 39.8 42.3 38.7 38.6 31 40.5 42.9 ~52.3 46.6 47.1 45.9
MAY 58 32.5 12.1 21 22.8 34.6 39.4 35.5 35.3 37.4 40.9 35.8 37.5 27.7 34.1 38.2 *45.5 42A 43.7 40.9
JUN 51.2 21.7 13.1 21.5 29.4 35.6 36.5 30.8 33.2 34 37.7 34.7 33.8 28.6 32.7 39.3 *46.6 40.2 41.6 37.5
JLY 45. 6 19.7 14.5 22.1 22.4 28.3 31 29.4 31.8 31.9 32.2 31.4 31.2 29.6 32.7 37.8 *40.9 38.2 40.9 37.4
AUG 45 20.6 14.9 21 21.8 29.8 32.1 27 28.1 32.3 34.8 31 29.9 28.7 28.2 37.1 *45.3 41.7 38.4 34.4
SEP 40.1 17.6 17.1 19 18.1 27.8 25.7 25.7 29.5 32.8 32.1 28.2 23.3 23.6 31 37.8 *45.3 36 37.2 34.8
OCT 39.7 20.5 17.6 20.1 20.1 29.3 29 26.9 28.3 33.1 34.1 30.6 24.9 24.6 31 35.5 *43.3 40.7 38.2 35.6
NOV :31.0 14.7 13.4 16.4 19.1 25.3 27.7 22.9 24.2 25.3 31.7 26.8 17.7 21.6 27.7 28.1 *36.6 33.8 29.5 27.2
DEC 27.8 16.6 13.5 14.2 17.6 24.1 25.2 22.6 25.9 26.5 31.1 26.9 15.6 21.3 27.8 28.2 *33.6 30.9 31.5 26.9
TOTAL 526.3 307.7 178.5 233.4 251.9 350.8 391 351.7 371.7 393.6 420 388.3 347.3 293.7 382.7 420.2 518.8 475.2 466.8 438.8
    * December monthly total includes previously unreported units for all of 1996
    (Units in Thousands 000)


Copyright © 1997 Web Site Management, Inc.