The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) reports that wholesale shipments of all RVs improved 4.9% in June, compared to this same month one year ago, rising to 29,800 units. This was the best June total for RV shipments in 25 years and represented an annualized rate of more than 335,000 units, the highest annualized rate so far this year. Year to date, totals have reached 163,500 units, 3% better than the first six months of 2002 when shipments totaled 311,000 units for the year.

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The Index of Consumer Sentiment slipped to 89.7 in the June 2003 survey, according to the University of Michigan’s Survey Research Center, down slightly from May’s 92.1 rating. Considering May’s gain of 6.1 points, a rather minor setback as consumers continue to expect the general economy to improve.

“Lower interest rates will continue to support home and vehicle buying,” reported Dr. Richard Curtin, director of the survey. “The lack of improvement in job prospects remained the primary concern of consumers with the current outlook for the economy.”

Importantly, retail sales activity for RVs was at a six month level in excess of the same period one year ago. Final sales for conventional, fifth wheels, type A and type C motorhomes were above the level recorded at this time last year. 

Towable RVs

Shipments of all towable RVs were at 24,200 units in June, up 7.1% compared to this same month last year. This was the largest total for towable RVs during the month of June in 25 years. June’s total brought the year to date figure to 133,300 units, up 4.1% compared to the same period one year ago.

Conventional travel trailers (including hybrid trailers) continued their torrid pace in reporting shipments of 14,100 units, rising 15.6% this month compared to June last year. Fifth-wheel trailers also did well, gaining 9.1% to 6,000 units in June. 

Motorhomes

Motorhome shipments in June were able to hold their own, reporting totals of 5,600 units, off just 3.4% compared to June 2002. Type A motorhomes of 3,700 units and type B motorhomes of 200 units were even with last June while type C with 1,700 units were down slightly.

Year to date, all motorhome shipments of 30,200 units are just 600 shy of the first 6 months last year. Totals for type A and type C were slightly ahead year to date, while type B totals were slightly behind. Conversion Vehicles

Conversion shipments slipped again in June, falling 21% this time to 4,900 units in June. Van conversions were off 12.2%, while pickup truck and SUV conversions dropped 37.5% and 40.0% respectively.

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Total RV Shipments 1990-2003
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