August 2002

The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association reports that wholesale RV shipments were 28,700 units in August, up 3.6% from last month and up 22.6% above this same month last year. In fact, this was the largest August total in more than 23 years. Year to date, totals have now reached 215,200 units, up 17% over this same eight-month period last year. All vehicle categories are at or above last year’s pace with conventional travel trailers reporting the largest unit gains.

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The Index of Consumer Sentiment, as measured by the University of Michigan’s Survey Research Center, was reported at 87.6 in the August 2002 survey, down slightly from last month and just below the reading one year ago. This month’s reading was nearly identical to the average over the past fifty years. "Low interest rates have kept home and vehicle buying attitudes near record levels," said Dr. Richard Curtin, director of the survey. "Still, apprehension about future financial situations have made consumers less willing to purchase other goods and more intent on saving for their retirement."

Importantly, retail sales of RVs have paralleled growth in wholesale shipments. As compared to this point last year, final sales of RVs are ahead for all five categories reported.

Towable RVs

Shipments to retailers of all towable RVs improved slightly over last month to 23,700 units and ahead of this same month last year by 25.4%. Year to date, all towable RV shipments have now reached a total of 174,800 units, up more than 16% compared to the same period last year.

Conventional travel trailers have improved the most so far this year, up 20.6% on shipments to retailers of 90,600 units, representing 42% of all RV shipments. While hybrid trailers have certainly shown substantial improvements it has been conventional trailers over 25 feet in length which reflect the largest growth rates this year.

Motorhomes

Wholesale shipments of all motorhomes were at 5,000 units in August, up 8.7% from last month and 11.1% over this same month one year ago. Type C motorhome shipments grew most this month, up 500 units over this same month last year.

Year to date, motorhome shipments have been ahead all year led by type A motorhome shipments of 25,900 units and representing 64% of all motorhome shipments. Like towables, motorhome growth has been best in the larger units, particularly diesel chassis motorhomes.

Conversion Vehicles

Conversion vehicle shipments spiked in August, rising to 6,700 units, their highest total all year. This was the highest total for conversions in more than a year (July 2001). Van conversions remain the category’s largest producer with more than 40% of all conversions. With wholesale shipments of 45,900 units for all conversion vehicles so far this year, totals are a mere 1.9% behind last year’s totals through August. RVIA