The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association reports that deliveries to retailers of all RVs were at 40,800 units in July, up 6.8% from this same month, one year ago. July's total marked the fifth consecutive month in which shipments have exceeded the 40,000-unit mark so far in 1996. Year-to-date totals are ahead of last year for the first time reaching 292,800 units in July, 0.2% ahead of the 1995 pace.

Seasonally adjusted, shipments in July were at an annual rate of just over 477,000 units, up 3% from last month and continuing on a pace that would exceed last year's totals. Through July, deliveries to retailers of all vehicle categories were near or above totals reported last year. Folding camping trailers off 7%, while conventional type A motorhomes up 7%, marking the extremes.

The Index of Consumer Sentiment continued up in the July survey to 94.7, the highest level recorded since August last year according to the University of Michigan's Survey Research Center. The Index has been gaining strength throughout the summer months in spite of conflicting economic news.

"The threat of higher interest rates and a slowing economy have not dampened consumer spending prospects," reported Dr. Richard Curtin, director of the survey. "The recent stock market gyrations were of less importance to consumers than were positive prospects for future employment and income growth."

It is the persistence of these very positive underlying trends in consumer confidence that will continue to support favorable spending prospects for vehicles in the future.

Towable RVs

Deliveries to retailers of all towable RVs increased to 16,300 units in July, up 5.2% over last month and up 2.5% from this same month last year. Year to date, wholesale shipments have climbed to 122,000 units, off just 1.7% from this same period one year ago.

Conventional and fifth-wheel trailers improved in July while folding camping trailers and truck campers declined. Growth in the percentage of slideouts in both conventional and fifth-wheel travel trailers have increased as the year has progressed. In July, slideouts numbered one in five conventional travel trailers while they represented more than 2 in 3 fifth wheels.

Shipments to retailers of all folding camping trailers have remained soft this year, off 4.3% this month and behind the seven month total of 1995 by 7%. The larger folding camping trailers, those over 14 feet have performed best. Truck campers have similarly slipped this year, dropping 9.1% for the month while off 6.5% year to date.

Motorhomes

July was a very good month for type C motorhomes as they improved 18.2% over this same month last year to help push all motorhome totals to 4,100 units, up 2.5% over July, 1995. Year to date, type A conventional motorhomes have done best in this group, up 7.1% to 21,200.

Type A motorhomes have benefited from the improved totals brought about in diesel chassis. The market share of diesels in type A product has grown from about 10% of all type A motorhomes earlier this year, to about 15% recently.

Conversion Vehicles

Perhaps the best news this month comes in the conversion vehicle category where deliveries improved 6.8% over July last year to 20,400 units. Important-ly, van conversions improved this month over last and were up 25% over this same month last year.

Source: RVIA