August 2004

The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) reports that RV wholesale shipments have been revised upward in the August survey of manufacturers to a total of 32,400 units, an increase of 600 units above our preliminary reports released earlier. The revised monthly total represents an 18.2% gain over this same month last year and raised year-to-date totals to 261,000 units, 19% higher than the first eight months last year.

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An error in compiling type A motorhomes was the cause of the upward revision and RVIA regrets any inconvenience this may have caused its members or other readers of this report.

The Index of Consumer Sentiment, as conducted by the University of Michigan’s Survey Research Center, was reported at 95.9 in the August survey, and has remained largely unchanged over the past three months.

“Overall, consumers have continued to display a remarkable resilience despite the lackluster performance of the economy in recent months,” said Dr. Richard Curtin, director of the survey. “Importantly, consumers have become somewhat more cautious in their spending plans.”

Towable RVs

Shipments to retailers of all towable RVs rose 16.8% to 26,400 units in August this year, the best August total for towable products since 1972. Year to date, all towable RV shipments are now at a total of 210,700 units, an increase of 17.6% compared to the same period last year.

Fifth wheel travel trailers continue to show the largest percentage increase while conventional travel trailers (including Hybrid Trailers) continue to report the largest unit gains. Year to date, all towable categories are ahead of this same period last year with fifth wheel trailers ahead by 28.7% through August.

Motorhomes

Wholesale shipments of all motorhomes are now reported as 6,000 units in August, up 25% over this same month one year ago. Both type A and type C motorhomes were up substantially as totals for all motorhomes were the best in 17 years. Year to date, all motorhome shipments have reached 50,300 units, a gain of 25.4% over the same period last year.

Conversion Vehicles