The RV Industry Association‘s (RVIA) report for September 2023 has unveiled a significant decline in RV shipments. With a total of 24,700 units shipped, there’s a noticeable 12.9% decrease compared to the 28,363 units from September 2022.
This decline is not an isolated event. Cumulatively, the year-to-date figures show a drop of 42.8%, amounting to 238,121 units. Such numbers indicate a broader trend in the RV industry, which has seen fluctuations in recent years.
Despite these declining numbers, the allure of RVing remains undiminished for many Americans. As RVIA President & CEO, Craig Kirby, pointed out, 38 million Americans are choosing RVing as their preferred vacation method this fall.
Kirby further emphasized the industry’s resilience, stating, “RV manufacturers and suppliers continue to innovate and release new features and products for today’s RVers.” This innovation aims to cater to those looking to enjoy the outdoors and spend quality time with loved ones.
Breaking down the numbers, towable RVs, primarily conventional travel trailers, saw a decrease of 7.6% from the previous September, amounting to 21,385 shipments. This decline is consistent with the broader trend observed in the industry, as per RVIA’s Reports & Trends.
Motorhomes, on the other hand, experienced a more pronounced decline. With 3,315 units shipped, there’s a 36.6% decrease compared to September 2022. Park Model RVs also followed this trend with a 13.7% decrease, resulting in 334 wholesale shipments.
Delving deeper into the reasons behind these declining figures, external sources suggest that the RV industry is still grappling with the after-effects of the pandemic. The surge in demand during the pandemic might have led to an oversaturation of the market, resulting in the current slowdown.
A report by Bish’s RV highlighted that the decline in RV production, especially a 47% drop, was not unexpected. The industry had anticipated such fluctuations given the unprecedented demand during the pandemic.
The RV industry’s resilience is evident in its ability to adapt and innovate. Despite the current challenges, manufacturers are continuously introducing new features and products to cater to the evolving needs of RVers.