Hi infopros:
Thanks for the interesting question.
In order to find data relevant to "this season", I have focused my
searching on the news-related search tools, like Google News. The
following sources speak about a recent slow-down in RV sales.
Fewer new motor homes rolling off RV sales lots
Publication: USA Today
Date: Jul. 10, 2005
URL: http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/2005-06-26-rv-sales-usat_x.htm
Quote: "On the heels of the best sales year since 1978, deliveries of
new motor homes to dealers fell 13.6 percent in the first four months
of the year, compared with the same period in 2004, the Recreation
Vehicle Industry Association reports.
Winnebago Industries, the largest maker of motor homes, cited 'lower
retail demand and an industry wide oversupply of motor homes' in
reporting flat earnings for the quarter that ended May 28.
RV there yet?
Publication: Lynchburg News & Advance
Date: July 15, 2005
URL: http://www.newsadvance.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=LNA/MGArticle/LNA_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1031783863924&path=
Quote: "Still, gas prices are taking their toll on the RV industry as
a whole. According to a survey released in April, high gas prices are
starting to affect RV sales. Craig Kennison of the brokerage Robert W.
Baird surveyed 93 RV dealers and found that "higher gas prices were
repeatedly mentioned by dealers as affecting their business.'"
Area dealers say gas prices no barrier - But motor home sales droop nationally
Publication: Argus Leader
Date: July 05, 2005
URL: http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050705/BUSINESS/507050325/1003
Quote: "Orders at Schaap's Traveland in Sioux Falls were down early
this year, but interest in motor homes has increased steadily since
then, co-owner Rachelle Schaap-Simmons said.
'I think gas prices did have people pause and think for a bit, but
people still want to go away and do what they want to do,'
Schaap-Simmons said. 'They may not always go as far as they had
originally planned, but there are so many places to go locally.'"
GM Sales and AirTran Sale
Publication: News 11
Date: June 29, 2005
URL: http://www.11alive.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=65411
Quote: "But while discounted auto sales are on the upswing, RV sales
are in a nosedive.
Bottom line, higher gas prices and a glut of mobile homes on the
market means sales are down 14 percent, so be sure to comparison
shop."
KVH Announces Results for Second Quarter
Publication: Business Wire
Date: July 21, 2005
URL: http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20050721005138&newsLang=en
Quote: "'Strong marine sales led the way with a 15% increase over last
year's second quarter, thanks to growth in both our North American and
European sales,' explained Mr. Kits van Heyningen. 'Sales in the land
market increased 4% over the second quarter of last year, despite a
decline in sales to the RV market. Sales of Class A RVs, the primary
platforms for our TracVision(R) systems, are down for the year, and we
are seeing a corresponding slow-down in TracVision sales to RV
manufacturers as they reduce vehicle production levels.'"
Work isn't over for area
Publication: The Truth
Date: July 17, 2005
URL: http://www.etruth.com/News/Content.aspx?ID=352594&page=
Quote: "In the past week, the Recreational Vehicle Industry
Association reported that RV shipments had fallen two months in a row.
While the numbers are still quite high historically, the evidence from
dealer lots is that RVs just aren't selling as quickly.
Meanwhile, Elkhart-based Coachmen Industries backed off bullish
projections it issued earlier this year and said it expected to report
two straight unprofitable quarters. On top of that, the company said
it couldn't reliably project how it would perform the remainder of the
year."
RVs hit the skids - Shipments slip for second straight month
Publication: The Truth
Date: July 13, 2005
URL: http://www.etruth.com/News/Content.aspx?ID=352290&page=
Quote: "However, the market of customers is not growing, so while one
company expands, another company contracts. For example, Coachmen
Industries Inc. announced Monday an expected reduction in the profits
for its RV Group of nearly $3 million during the second quarter.
All year, sales have been down at Michiana RV compared with 2004 but
the dealership noticed an uptick in customers and sales during the
past two weeks. Martynowicz said Monday may have been the best day all
year. He sold four units that day.
Glendale International reports second quarter fiscal 2005 financial results
Publication: CNW Group
Date: July 7, 2005
URL: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/July2005/07/c9396.html
Quote: "Sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2005 were $48.9 million compared
with $54.9 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2004 as higher sales for
the Navigational Aids and Electronics businesses were offset by lower sales
for the Recreational Vehicles business."
Now, mind you, during my searches I also found just as many sites
saying sales were up. I've included one example, but there were many
more. However, since that is not what you are looking for and you are
not available for clarifications at this time, I'll leave it at that.
Thor Announces Record Retail RV Sales for Month, Quarter, 6 Months
Publication: Yahoo! News
Date: July 6, 2005
URL: http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050706/nyw102.html?.v=19
Quote: "Thor's June retail RV sales were up 19% to 11,029 units versus
9,274 last year. Travel trailers and fifth wheels were up 20%, Class A
motorhomes were up 19% and Class C motorhomes were up 29%. May total
retail RV sales were up 18%. 'This indicates a late, very strong
retail selling season for all of our product segments,' said Wade F.
B. Thompson, Thor Chairman."
Search Strategy (on Google News and Excite News Search)
* RV sales
* RV sales dealership OR dealerships
* 2005 RV sales dealership OR dealerships
* "RV sales"
I hope this helps! If you'd like further clarification after Sunday
night, please let me know.
websearcher |
