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The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association reports that recreation vehicle deliveries to retailers totaled 31,500 units in December, after adjusting for units previously unreported. This total was 1.9% higher than December one year ago; and at 466,800 units 1996 was able to finish just under the 1995 annual total. Seasonally adjusted, shipments in December represented an annualized rate of more than 463,500 units, completing a year in which shipments were above the 400,000 unit level each month. This was the fourth consecutive year in which RV shipments had exceeded the 400,000 unit level having failed to do so in thirteen of the prior fourteen years dating back to 1978. The Index of Consumer Sentiment remained at historically high levels registering a 96.9 reading in the December survey, according to the University of Michigan's Survey Research Center. Continued favorable economic conditions are expected by most consumers. "Consumers view their financial prospects for the year ahead quite favorably," reported Dr. Richard Curtin, director of the survey. "Low unemployment rates, low inflation and an expectation that the economic expansion will persist has allowed consumers to remain favorable about their personal financial future." Retail sales of travel trailers, fifth-wheel trailers and type A motorhomes all
outperformed wholesale shipments in 1996, as measured by a survey of manufacturers. This
small retail inventory reduction should aid future wholesale shipment patterns.
Towable RV Deliveries to retailers of all towable RVs improved to 12,200 units in December, up 9.9% over this same month one year ago. Totals for all of 1996 were down slightly compared to the prior year with unit shipments at 192,200 units. Conventional travel trailers moved slightly ahead of 1995 totals (after adjusting for earlier non-reported shipments) and finished the year at 75,400 units, up 0.1%. Fifth wheel trailers ended at 48,500 units, up 5.6% over 1995 and just slightly under their all-time high of 48,900 units set in 1994. Folding camping trailers were off a bit in 1996, down 6.2% to 57,300 units while
truck campers at 11,000 units were down 7.6%. Still, both product types remained at near
recent category highs.
Motorhomes Shipments of all motorhomes were reported at 4,700 units in December, up 34.3% after adjustments. Yearly totals for all motorhomes improved to 55,300 units, up 4.7% over the total form 1995. Conventional type A motorhomes increased nearly 11% in 1996 to 36,500 units, the
second best year since 1988. Type B motorhomes held even with their 1995 totals while
type C motorhomes dipped 6.4% to 14,700 units in 1996.
Van Conversions Deliveries to retailers of all conversion vehicles slipped in 1996 to 219,300 units, off
just 3.9% from the prior year. Shipments of van conversions were measured at 144,00 units
in 1996, off 4.7% while pickup truck totals were 63,000 units, off 9.2%. Only sport utility
vehicles finished above 1995 with deliveries of 12,300 units, up nearly 60% over 1995.
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