The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association reports that wholesale shipments of all RVs were at 38,100 units in August, off 6.6% from last month and down 8.6% from this same month one year ago. Year-to-date totals have now reached 330,900 units, nearly identical to this same period last year.

Seasonally adjusted, deliveries to retailers in August were at an annual rate of just over 440,000 units, off 7.5% from last month and at the lowest rate all year. Sharp declines in motorhome and conversion vehicle shipments this month were combined with towable deliveries which were at or slightly below last year's pace.

The Index of Consumer Sentiment inched upward in the August survey to the highest level recorded since January 1995, according to the University of Michigan's Survey Research Center. The Index has continued to gain strength in the face of a slowing economy and consumers now expect interest rates to rise modestly over the next few months.

"Consumer confidence has demonstrated remarkable resilience and buying intentions remain favorable," reported Dr. Richard Curtin, director of the survey. "Consumers expect the economic expansion to continue uninterrupted over the next five years."

Retail sales of travel trailers, fifth-wheel trailers and type A motorhomes have continued to improve as the year has progressed. Final sales of folding camping trailers and type C motorhomes haven't fared as well.

Towable RVs

July provided a small improvement in wholesale shipments of all towable RVs but much of that gain was lost in August. Shipments totaled 16,000 units in August, off 4.2% from this same month last year. Year-to-date totals are now at 138,000 units, off 2% from the year-earlier totals.

Folding camping trailers were hardest hit, off 14.8% on 4,600 units delivered this month. Year to date, shipments of camping trailers are off 8% while truck campers are down slightly less than 6%. Only fifth-wheel trailers show a positive comparison in the towable category with shipments of 33,600 units up 6% over this same period in 1995. Large trailers and those with slide outs continue to perform well.

Motorhomes

The total for motorhomes was 3,900 units in August, down 13.3% from this same month one year ago. All categories suffered with type A units off 10%, type B down 25% and type C slipping 15% for the month.

Year to date, shipments are holding their own; up 1.6% over the first eight months last year. Type A products are outshining other types with growth of nearly 5% so far this year.

Conversion Vehicles

In the conversion vehicle categories, vans and pickups appear to be headed in opposite directions. Last year, shipments of converted vans declined steadily in the second half of the year while pickup truck conversions soared.

This year the reverse seems to have developed. The second half of 1996 should be good for vans while pickup shipments have softened. Year to date, totals for conversion vehicles aren't much different than last year with shipments of 155,400 units off just 0.4% from 1995.
Source: RVIA