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The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association reports that wholesale RV shipments of 26,700 units in June were 7.6% lower than June one year ago, but they were the second best June total in twenty-two years. While nearly all product categories were lower, motorhomes were off the most, slipping 20.3% to towables 4% decline. Seasonally adjusted, shipments in June were actually up slightly and only pale compared to the very strong June numbers last year. Year to date, totals of 174,100 units remain above the half way mark of 1999 and they represent the best start since 1977. The Index of Consumer Sentiment also declined in June, falling to 106.4 in the latest survey of consumers, as conducted by the University of Michigan's Survey Research Center. Still, the index remains near all-time record highs as consumers retain favorable attitudes about future economic prospects overall. "Instead of uncertainty and fear of recession, consumers expect higher interest rates and rising gasoline prices to be temporary and thus have little impact on future economic prospects," reported Dr. Richard Curtin, director of the survey. "Two-thirds of all consumers still anticipate good times financially during the year ahead." Final sales in June were lower than this same month last year for all vehicle categories measured, but like wholesale shipments, retail sales of towables fared better than motorhome sales in June. Towable RVs Although shipments of all towable RVs declined to 21,600 units in June, off 4% compared to a very good June 1999, year-to-date totals remain ahead of this point last year. So far this year, shipments of 138,800 units of all towable RVs have been reported, up 4.4% over the first six months last year. Conventional travel trailers remained the most popular RV by far, with shipments of 67,700 units year to date, up 7.6% over this same period last year. Fifth-wheel travel trailers also have done well, climbing 10.3% over the first six months of 1999 to 34,400 units. Motorhomes Motorhome shipments haven't fared as well as towables with June's count the lowest this year. Although this June total for motorhomes is off 20.3% compared to June 1999, this month was the equal of June 1998 and the second best total in 12 years. Year to date, all motorhome shipments of 35,300 units were off 5.1% compared to this point last year. Type B motorhomes have improved while type A and type C motorhomes have declined compared to 1999. Conversion Vehicles Conversion vehicle shipments also declined in June, dropping 29.1% to 10,700 units. Van conversions were off 33.3% to 7,000 in June while pickup trucks stood even and converted sport utility vehicles declined sharply. Year to date, a total of 43,600 vans are down 22%, with 19,800 pickup trucks up 8.2% and 3,800 sport utility conversions well behind last year's pace. Year to date, deliveries have climbed to 118,500 units through April this year, up 4.8% over this same period one year ago. Towables in particular have remained strong through this period while motorhomes have held even with a-year-earlier totals. Seasonally adjusted, shipments in April were at an annual rate of 293,300 units. It was January 1999 when annual rate totals were last below the 300,000 unit level. Still, year to date, shipments are running at an annualized rate of more than 325,000 units; up slightly from the 1999 record-setting total. The Index of Consumer Sentiment improved in the April survey, rising to 109.2 and remained near all-time record highs, according to the University of Michigan's Survey Research Center. "Unruffled by the wide swings in stock prices, consumers did not lose sight of the extraordinary strength in the national economy," reported Dr. Richard Curtin, director of the survey. "Importantly, spending plans have been largely unaffected by the anticipated hikes in interest rates." Although wholesale shipments declined slightly this month, there was no sign of retail sales softness. As measured by a survey of manufacturers, retail sales remained strong for all products, particularly so for towables. Towable RVs Wholesale shipments of all towable RVs decreased to 25,900 units in April, down slightly from last month and off 4.6% compared to this same month last year. Year-to-date shipments were at 93,500 units, up 6% compared to the first 4 months of 1999. Conventional travel trailers remain the largest single vehicle category of RVs, and with 12,300 units shipped in April represented more than 1/3 of all RV shipments. At 12,300 units, April shipments of conventional travel trailers were down just 0.8% compared to April last year. With 45,200 units through April, conventional travel tailers are 10.2% ahead of last year. Similar comparisons can be made about fifth-wheel trailers. In April, shipments totaled 6,500 units, the same as last year, while year-to-date totals of 23,600 units are 15.1% ahead of the 1999 pace. Folding camping trailers have had the toughest year so far, dropping 9.3% from last year on shipments of 20,500 units. Truck campers are up slightly at 4,200 units. Motorhomes Wholesale shipments of all motor homes totaled 6,300 units in April, off 11.3% from this same month one-year ago. Year to date, shipments of all motorhomes are off just 0.4% through April and at an annual rate of more than 68,000 units. Conventional type A motorhomes were off 10.9% in April, and down 700 units from last month. Type B motorhomes have held steady and at 1,300 units year to date, are 18.2% ahead so far this year. Type C motorhomes were down in April but even, year to date. Conversion Vehicles Wholesale deliveries of all conversion vehicle products were again lower in April but that rate of decline has slowed. At 13,100 units, all conversion vehicle shipments were 10.3% behind April last year. Van conversions and sport utility vehicles were down while pickup truck conversions continued to improve. Year to date, van conversions were at 28,700 units, off 20.3%, sport utility conversions were at 2,800 units, down 40.4%, while pickup truck conversions surged ahead on totals of 13,300 units, up 9.9%. . Click Here For
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