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| September 2001 | Volume 27 - Number 2 | ||||||||
These are the latest figures available for wholesale shipments.
Recovery always seems like a slow process but RV shipments made a
big move in June 2001 with shipment totals of 23,100 units, according the the Recreation
Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA). Although off 13.5% from this same month one year
earlier, it is still the smallest decline in nearly a year. It was about this time last
year that unit shipments started to lose momentum. Seasonally adjusted, shipments in June improved 5.9% over the prior
month and year to date, the 139,400 units of the first six months are at an annualized
pace of more than 255,000 units. The Index of Consumer Sentiment moved up as well in June, posting a
solid 92.6 reading, according to the University of Michigan's Survey Research Center. This
may mark the end to the recent declining trends in consumer attitudes and set the stage
for renewed growth. Even so, it may be a while before consumers regain the levels of
confidence recorded last year. Improvements in consumer confidence are due largely to
anticipated gains in income and lower levels of inflation seen ahead. "However, the data continue to indicate that the growth in
consumer spending will remain slow for the balance of the year," reported Dr. Richard
Curtin, director of the survey. Final sales in June were lower this month than in the same month
last year but remain ahead of wholesale shipments, indicating dealer inventory reduction
continues. Retail sales outperformed wholesale shipments in all product categories
measured except type C motorhomes. Towable RVs Shipments of all towable RVs were 18,800 units in June, off 13%
compared to this same month last year. So far this year, shipments of 113,400 units of all
towable RVs have been reported, down 18.3% compared to the first half of 2000. Conventional travel trailers remained the most popular RV by far,
representing 40% of all RV shipments so far this year and nearly half of all towables.
Fifth-wheel trailers have declined the least in 2001, off 16.6% through June on shipments
of 28,700 units, the second largest vehicle category. Motorhomes Motorhome shipments were off again in June, but the 4,300 units were
just 200 shy of last month. Type A motorhomes continue to do well in this vehicle group,
off 12.1% this month on shipments of 2,900 units. Year to date, all motorhome shipments of 26,000 units were off 26.3%
compared to the first half of last year. Type A units represented two-thirds of the total
motorhome category through June this year. Conversion Vehicles Some good news for conversion vehicle producers as shipments in June
topped 7,000 units for the first time in seven months. Although small, improvements each
month since March have moved the total for conversion vehicles steadily upward. Totals for conversion vans are now off 48.9%, year to date, on
deliveries of 22,300 units. Pickup truck conversions were off the most through June, down 52.2%
compared to the first half of last year. Sport utility vehicle conversions were off the
least but represent just 8% of all conversions. | |||||||||
