June 2004

The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA) reports that wholesale shipments of all RVs gained 17.8% in June, compared to this same month one year ago, rising to 35,100 units. This represented an annualized rate of nearly 390,000 units, the highest annualized rate so far this year. Year to date, totals have reached 196,200 units, up 20% above the first six months of 2003 when shipments totaled 320,800 units for the year.

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The Index of Consumer Sentiment surged ahead in June, climbing to 95.6 in the latest survey, according to the University of Michigan’s Survey Research Center. The improved consumer perceptions of current economic conditions appear to be largely responsible for the more favorable assessments.

“Recent increases in employment were reported by the highest proportion of consumers in more than two decades, reported Dr. Richard Curtin, director of the survey. “More favorable job prospects offset but did not completely erase concerns about rising inflations and higher interest rates.”

Towable RVs

Shipments of all towable RVs were reported at 28,400 units in June this year, up 17.4% compared to June 2003. This was the largest total for towable RVs during the month of June in more than 25 years. June’s total brought the year to date figure of 157,800 units, up 18.4% compared to the same period one year ago. Conventional travel trailers (including hybrid trailers) grew by 17.2% in June and are now 16% ahead of this same six month period one year ago. Fifth wheel trailers jumped 28.4% in June, to 8,600 units for the month and are now at 47,400 units, a 30.6% surge over this same point last year.

Motorhomes

All motorhome shipments in June were up 19.6% in the month of June, rising to 6,700 units. Type A motorhomes were ahead by 10.8%, improving to 4,100 units for the month. Type B motorhomes grew from 200 to 300 units in June while type C motorhomes increased 600 units to 2,300 units, a 35.3% gain. Year to date, all motorhome shipments of 38,400 units are 27.2% ahead of the first six months last year. Totals year to date for type A motorhomes have grown to 24,100 units, a 21.7% gain. Type C shipments have climbed 40.9% to 13,100 units, the best for these products since 1988.

Conversion Vehicles

Conversion vehicle shipments plunged in June, falling 30.6% to 3,400 units. Van conversions were off 38.9% in June, dropping 1,400 units below this same month last year. Pickup trucks held their own while sport utility conversions trimmed 100 units from last June’s totals. Year to date totals for all conversion vehicles of 23,100 units through June were off 25.5% compared to this same 6 month period last year. Van conversions were off 25.6%, pickup truck conversions down 20.3% and SUV conversions were down 41.7% during the first half of 2004 compared to the same period last year. RVIA