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The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association reports that shipments to retailers totaled 26,200 units in August, up slightly from last month and up 6.5% from this same month last year. Both conventional travel trailers and type A motorhomes continued their year long improvements, gaining 8% and 5.4% respectively in August. Year to date, conventional travel trailers, fifth wheel trailers, truck campers, type A and type C motorhomes remain above one year ago totals. Through August this year, shipments were at 222,300 units, up 8.4% over this period one year ago. Seasonally adjusted, shipments in August were up slightly from last month to more than 309,000 units annualized. At this rate, this year would be the best for RV shipments since 1978. The Index of Consumer Sentiment slipped some in August, dropping to 104.5 in the latest survey of consumers, as conducted by the University of Michigan's Survey Research Center. The recent hike in interest rates was seen as the most likely reason for this small decline. "Still, the underlying strength of consumer confidence has not been shaken," said Dr. Richard Curtin, director of the survey. "Nominal income gains were reported by more households in August 1999 than at any other time since the mid-60s." This positive reading from consumers should bolster continued strong buying attitudes well into the future. Towable RVs Shipments to retailers of all towable RVs jumped 5.7% over this same month last year, climbing to 20,300 units, the best August monthly total in 22 years. Year to date, all towable RV shipments have now attained a total of 173,900 units, up 6.7% from this same period last year. Conventional travel trailers continue to show improvement, gaining 8% for the month and ahead 17.9% year to date. Fifth wheel travel trailers also have done well improving 6.4% this month and up 4.4% through August on shipments of 40,300 units. Motorhomes Shipments of 5,900 motorhomes were reported in August, up 9.3% from August last year and pushing year to date totals up 15.2% ahead of this point last year. Both conventional type A and mini type C motorhomes have had an outstanding year, growing 18.1% and 12.7% respectively. Click Here For
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