Recreation Vehicles

RV shipments to retailers totaled 27,900 units in the October 2006 survey of manufacturers, off 13.1% from this same month last year (see page 3). The decline was largely confined to conventional travel trailers which were down 5,800 units, a drop of 30.4% from October 2005.

Year to date, RV totals have now reached 344,000 units, up 5.9% over the first ten months last year with towables above and motorhomes below last year’s results so far.

The Index of Consumer Sentiment swelled to 93.6 in the October survey of consumers, according to the University of Michigan’s Survey Research Center (see page 16). This was the highest reading in more than a year as consumers held more favorable buying attitudes, although they expect widespread price discounting.

“Overall, the highest proportion of consumers during the last half century made their purchase plans for vehicles and household durables contingent on price discounts,” said Dr. Richard Curtin, Director of the survey. “The latest survey supports the view that consumers will remain the engine of economic growth”.

Towable RVs

Shipments of all towable RVs were reported at 23,500 units in the October 2006 survey of manufacturers, down 15.5% from a very strong October total one year ago. Year to date, all towable RV shipments are now at 296,200 units, up 9.1% compared to this same period last year. Although ELU (Emergency Living Unit) production was not a part of this total, shipments of RVs for relief efforts in the Gulf Coast region played a major role in the strength of shipments reported in conventional travel trailers this month last year.

Fifth-wheel travel trailers were reported at 6,700 units, up a surprising 26.4% in October with folding camping trailers up and truck campers down slightly. Year to date, fifth wheel trailers are at 78,100 units and by December, should rival its all time record high of 91,000 units set in 2004.

Motorhomes

All motorhome shipments this month were reported at 4,400 units, up 2.3% from this same month last year. Importantly, this was the first month this year that motorhomes were ahead of a year ago totals. Type A and type C shipments were even with last October while type B motorhomes were ahead slightly this same period. Year to date, total motorhome shipments have been reported at 47,800 units, off 10.5% from last year. Only type B motorhomes show any gain, up 9.1% on 2,400 units shipped.

Conversion Vehicles

Shipments to retailers of all conversion vehicles totaled just 1,800 units this October, off 35.7% from this same month last year (see page 17). Van conversions totaled 1,000 units, down 41.2% compared to October 2005. Pickup truck conversions were off a similar 44.4% to just 500 units while sport utility conversions were up slightly to 300 units. Year to date totals for these products have now reached 22,800 units, a decline of 25.2% as compared to the same period last year.