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The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association reports that RV shipments to retailers continued their assault on record levels as June totaled 28,900 units, up 2.5% from last month and up 19.4% from this same month, one year ago. Year to date, totals have soared to 170,200 units through the first half of 1999, up 9.8% from this same period last year. Seasonally adjusted, shipments in June were up substantially from last month and remain at their highest levels in more than twenty years. Conventional travel trailers, fifth-wheel travel trailers, type A and type C motorhomes continued their impressive showing this year rising well above levels reported for this same period just one year ago. The Index of Consumer Sentiment also climbed higher in June, reaching 107.3 in the latest survey of consumers, as conducted by the University of Michigan’s Survey Research Center. Consumer spending remains the strongest contributor to growth in this current economic expansion. “Consumers have never expressed a greater degree of confidence than during the first half of 1999,” reported Dr. Richard Curtin, director of the survey. “This heightened sense of financial confidence will continue to support a robust pace of spending during the year ahead.” Towable RVs Shipments to retailers of all towable RVs increased to 22,500 units in June, up a surprisingly strong 17.8% over a very good June 1998. Year to date, totals for all towable RVs have now climbed to 133,000 units, up 7.8% from this same period last year. This was the best start for towables since 1977. Conventional travel trailers remained the most popular RV shipped this year, rising 40.5% this month to 11,100 units. This was the best June total for conventional travel trailers in more than twenty years. Fifth-wheel travel trailers also did well moving to 5,300 units for the month, their best June total ever. Motorhomes Shipments of 2,100 type C motorhomes were 40% greater than this same month last year and led all motorhome shipments to a record setting 6,400 unit total. Type A motorhomes jumped up 21.2% to finish the month at 4,000 units, the best June total for these products in more than two decades. Year to date, all motorhome shipments of 37,200 units were 17.7% ahead of the first half of last year. Seasonally adjusted, motorhome totals through June are running at nearly 69,000 units, 8.7% more than the 1998 total. Conversion Vehicles Conversion vehicle shipments also continued to rise, increasing 10.2% in June to 15,100 units, equally the largest monthly total so far this year. Van conversions improved nearly 2% over this same month last year to 10,500 units, the best month for van conversions since June 1997. Pickup truck and sport utility vehicle conversions continued to outperform last year by a wide margin and are now 10.2% and 38.5% ahead of this point last year respectively Click Here For
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