RV shipments jump again in March

 RESTON, Va. — Shipments to retailers of all RVs were reported at 24,000 units in the March survey of manufacturers, an increase of 19.4 percent from last month and 87.5 percent greater than March 2009, the RV Industry Association reported today.

Improvements were reported in all vehicle categories with towables growing by more units while motorhome totals reflected the greater percentage increase.

First quarter totals this year show similar patterns with total shipments to retailers of 59,900 units, an improvement of 96.4 percent from this same period last year. Towable products nearly doubled gaining 93.6 percent to 54,200 units while motorhomes gained 128 percent to 5,700 units.

Led by conventional and fifth wheel travel trailer gains all towables products were up 93.6 percent of all RV shipments in the first calendar quarter this year.

Here is the complete March shipment data:

 

RVIA March 2010 Shipment Report

Unit Type	March 2009	March 2010	% Change	Total 2009	Total 2010	% Change
Travel Trailers	7,700	14,500	+88.3%	18,200	36,000	+97.8%
Fifth Wheels	2,800	5,200	+85.7%	6,600	13,300	+101.5%
Folding Campers	1,100	1,900	+72.7%	2,800	4,200	+50.0%
Truck Campers	200	200	+0.0%	400	700	+75.0%
TOTAL TOWABLES	11,800	21,800	+84.7%	28,000	54,200	+93.6%
Class A Motorhomes	400	1,200	+200.0%	1,100	3,100	+181.8%
Class B Motorhomes	100	100	+0.0%	300	400	+33.3%
Class C Motorhomes	500	900	+80.0%	1,100	2,200	+100%
TOTAL MOTORHOMES	1,000	2,200	+120.0%	2,500	5,700	+128.0%
TOTAL RV SHIPMENTS	12,800	24,000	+87.5%	30,500	59,900	+96.4%

SOURCE: RV Industry Association press release

Greg Gerber posted on April 27, 2010 13:58

Posted in: RV Industry

 

Senate set to debate bill that could restrict RV financing

FAIRFAX, Va. — The U.S. Senate is expected to debate financial reform legislation this week. While the majority of the reform bill deals with banks and Wall Street, a portion of the legislation would create a new consumer protection agency that could create more restrictions on RV financing and hurt RV sales, the RV Dealers Association reported.

An amendment expected to be offered by Senator Brownback could exempt motor vehicles from the bill, and RVDA supports adding RV trailers to the amendment.

RVDA urges dealers and their employees to call and e-mail their U.S. Senators immediately. Writing letters 
can take weeks to reach Senate offices, which mean elected officials would receive them after the debate is over.

The main points to make with your U.S. Senators are:

• Our issue is not whether there should be banking and investment reform that protect us as consumers. Our issue is that RV dealers are not banks. We do not make loans. We do not decide who qualifies for a loan.
• RV dealers are very small businesses that provide jobs.
• RV dealers should not have to be subject to detailed record keeping and reporting requirements that banks will have under the proposed law.
• Reporting and record keeping requirements will restrict sales and dampen job creation.
• Please support adding RV trailers to Senator Brownback’s amendment.

“Thanks to outstanding support from RVDA leaders, many RV dealers and state RV associations have already contacted their senators, but RV dealers and their employees need to continue to let their senators know about the potential negative impact this legislation could have on RV sales if not amended,” said Phil Ingrassia, vice president of communications for RVDA.

Commonly called the Financial Reform Bill, the bill number is S. 3217 and the formal name of the bill is the Restoring American Financial Stability Act of 2010. It is sponsored by Sen. Christopher Dodd.

Dealers who have any feedback from their senator’s office or who need more information are encouraged to call Brett Richardson, RVDA’s director of legal and regulatory affairs, by e-mailing brichardson@rvda.org.

SOURCE: RV Dealers Association press release

Greg Gerber posted on April 26, 2010 12:01

Posted in: RV Industry