The RV industry continued its record-breaking performance in June and appears on track to set a new high-water mark for shipments in 2021.
The RV Industry Association reported Monday that shipments for June reached 50,706 units, a 25% increase compared to the same month last year and a 7% increase over the previous record for June that was set in 2017.
In a release, Craig Kirby, president and CEO of the RV trade group, pointed out that the record is especially remarkable considering the industry has come back from shutdowns resulting from the coronavirus pandemic last spring.
And when the economy reopened, the industry had to work through supplier issues and even labor shortages, he pointed out.
“From shutdowns to soaring demand in the manufacturing, retail and campground segments, the RV industry has met these challenges to deliver record shipments, sales and campground stays,” Kirby said in a release.
Shipments of towable units rose 22% in June to 45,689 units compared to last year, and motorhome sales finished the month at 5,017 units, an increase of 66% compared to last year.
The trade group said the 300,267 RVs that were shipped from factories in the first half of the year also breaks the previous first half record of 272,840 that was set in 2018.
According to the latest forecast from ITR Economics for the trade group, manufacturers are predicting that 576,065 RVs will be shipped in 2021, which would be a 14.1% gain over the previous high of 504,600 units set in 2017.
Though there’s a long-term trend favoring RV ownership, the industry was given a boost by the coronavirus pandemic as consumers sought out outdoor activities such as camping, boating and golfing, which were deemed safer.
Source: South Bend Tribune