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The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association reports that RV shipments to retailers totaled 25,900 units in July, up 2% from this same month last year and up more than 18% from this same month, two years ago. The strength of conventional (type A) motorhome shipments were largely responsible. Seasonally adjusted, shipments in July were off slightly from last month but remain at near record high levels. Year to date, conventional travel trailers, fifth-wheel travel trailers, truck campers, type A and type C motorhomes continue to report solid gains over one-year-earlier results. Through the first seven months this year, shipments were at 196,100 units, up 8.7% over this period, one year ago. The Index of Consumer Sentiment softened slightly in July, reacting to concerns of rising interest rates to post a reading 106.0 in the latest survey on consumers, as conducted by the University of Michigan's Survey Research Center. Still, the index remained at near all time highs in the July survey. “The fewest consumers in decades mentioned any concerns or uncertainty about their future job or income prospects." reported Dr. Richard Curtin, director of the survey. "It has been this renewed sense of confidence of future employment that has thus far offset concerns about rising interest rates in consumer buying plans." Towable RVs Shipments to retailers of all towable RVs rose 1% over this same month last year, rising to 20,600 units. Year to date, all towable RVs have now reached 153,600 units, up 6.8% from this same period last year. Conventional travel trailers continue to outpace other vehicles in this category, rising 9.9% for the month and up an impressive 19.3% year to date. Fifth-wheel travel trailers have also done quite well this year rising 4.1% through July on shipments of 35,3000 units. Motorhomes Shipments of 5,300 motorhomes in July were 6% greater than July, one year ago. Year to date, shipments to retailers of all motorhomes were at 42,500 units through July, up 16.1% over this same period in 1998 Type A motorhomes with slideouts grew to more than 80% of the July total, up from last year's share of just 63%. In contrast type C motorhomes with slideouts remain a relatively small 16% of the total. Conversion Vehicles Conversion vehicle shipments also did well in July, rising 6.3% over July 1998 to 13,600 units.This marked the fifth consecutive month in which conversion vehicle shipments have reported improved sales. Van conversions remain the group's volume leader with more than two-thirds of all conversion vehicle shipments.Van conversions shipments to retailers totaled 9,100 units in July, off slightly from July of last year. Other product shipments reported substantial improvements with pickup truck conversions up 29.6% and sport utility vehicle conversions up 11.1%. Year to date, all conversion vehicle shipments of 95,000 units are ahead of last year by 5.9%. Click Here For
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