July 2002

The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association reports that wholesale shipments of all RVs were27,700 units in July this year, up 30.7% from this month last year and the largest July total in more than 20 years. The July readings reaffirm a major growth spurt for RV shipments which began in January and continues to push sales totals near record levels for the year. 

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Seasonally adjusted, shipments in July were at an annual rate of more than 320,000 units, the highest such reading in a year of continually improving results. Motorhome shipments continue to outperform towables on a percentage increase basis with type C motorhomes doing best. 

The closely watched Index of Consumer Sentiment declined in the July survey registering its lowest level since last fall, according to the University of Michigan's Survey Research Center. Overall, consumer confidence and recreation vehicle shipments have been moving in opposite directions but this is also true of vehicle and home buying trends in general. 

"Vehicle buying attitudes posted relatively large gains in the July 2002 survey", said Dr. Richard Curtin, director of the survey. "Home buying attitudes also improved in July with most consumers citing low interest rates". 

Retail sales continued to improve in July rising for all RV categories except folding camping trailers. Based on this latest reading, dealer inventories have increased modestly, if at all, for the categories of vehicles measured. 

Towable RVs 

Shipments to retailers of all towable RVs were up 26.9% compared to July last year, and were at the highest levels for July in more than 20 years. Travel Trailers were up 29.8%, fifthwheel trailers were up 36.6%. Only truck camper shipments were lower in July, this compared to July one year ago. 

Year to date, all towable RV shipments have now reached to 151,100 units, up an impressive 14.8% from this same period last year. This total is just a few hundred units shy of the pace set in 1999 and towables seem poised to approach that year's shipments on a calendar basis. 

Motorhomes 

Motorhome shipments increased a staggering 53.3% in July this year, rising to 4,600 units. Both type A and type C motorhome totals were up substantially while type B motorhomes remained even. Year to date, shipments to retailers of all motorhomes were at 35,400 units through July, up 22.1% over this same period one year ago. Year to date, shipments of type A motorhomes have improved 18.8%, compared to last year, up 22,700 units. While gasoline chassis with slideouts remain the most popular type A product, die chassis with slideouts have increased by a larger percentage so far this year. 

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