The following was a News & Insights report from the RV Industry Association (RVIA).
Last week, the RV Industry Association board of directors approved the RV Model Year Task Force’s recommendation to move the Voluntary Model Year Introduction Recommended Best Practice dates from the July 1 through Aug. 31 time frame to a June 1 through June 30 time frame, effective as of the 2026 model year.
The voluntary, recommended best practice on RV model year changeover was initially adopted in 2020 in an effort to improve the RV buying experience by alleviating a common source of confusion that consumers were experiencing when purchasing RVs. The Taskforce previously reaffirmed its commitment to the voluntary practice last year.
This year’s updated best practice recommends that RV manufacturers make their annual model year and major product design changes between June 1 to June 30 each year, starting with the 2026 model year.
The adoption of the voluntary, recommended model year changeover period has assisted consumers in distinguishing between model years and helped in determining the value of used RVs when consumers want to trade in a currently owned RV for a new unit.
In addition to improving the customer experience, the voluntary adoption of a model year changeover timeframe also benefits RV industry businesses. RV dealerships can more efficiently manage their inventory and communicate model year information to shoppers. Component part suppliers can more efficiently produce and stock the changing part needs of manufacturers. RV manufacturers and suppliers are better able to provide dealer service centers with current parts for consumer repairs, and the ability of finance institutions to establish RV valuations will be enhanced.
The board of directors reiterated that adoption of this best practice is entirely voluntary and encouraged RV manufacturers to exercise their individual, independent discretion in deciding whether to adopt the recommendation.
