When recreational vehicle manufacturers closed plants in March and April because of coronavirus, it appeared the industry was headed for one of its worst years on record but a month later, plants began operating and to the surprise of everyone, consumer demand went through the roof.
Sales “are off the chart,”, said Robert Zagami, executive director of the New England RV Dealers Association – which represents about 35 dealers in the region. “No one forecasted it; no one predicted it.”
The dramatic increase in demand appears to be a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Orders requiring social distancing to prevent the spread of coronavirus and the closure of many favorite vacation areas forced people to search for alternatives. As the number of coronavirus cases increase many people simply do not want to risk a cruise, plane ride or trip to an amusement park, Zagami said.
“They don’t want to be in that environment.”
Click here to read the whole story from Patrick O’Grady in the New Hampshire Business Review.
Now, with the case numbers increasing again in Florida, California, Arizona and other states, RV demand continues to be strong.
