March Wholesale Shipments Decline 26% Compared to 2018
The RV Industry Association’s March survey of manufacturers found that total RV shipments ended the month with 38,015 wholesale shipments, a decrease of 26.3% from the 51,607 units shipped last March.
Towable RVs, led by conventional travel trailers, totaled 33,754 units for the month, a decrease of 25.8% compared to last March’s total of 45,490 units. Motorhomes finished the month with 4,261 units, down 30.3% compared to the March 2018 total of 6,117 units.
Through the first quarter of 2019, RV shipments have reached 99,976 units, down 27.1% from the 137,086 units shipped during the same time period in 2018.
Although RV shipments have moderated through the first quarter of 2018 following two consecutive years of record-setting shipment totals, the overall health of the RV market is strong, according to RVIA.
Statistical Surveys reported that retail RV registrations through February were the second-best on company record, only behind last year. Additionally, there are encouraging reports of strong RV retail sales in March and early April.
Park model RVs finished the month up 9.9% compared to last March with 432 shipments to retailers.