Recent report on RV sales in January 2022

[larry_cad]

There has been much discussion regarding booming sales, and dealer shortages. At first, this report seems to back that up, however, you have to read the whole thing to realize that sales "year to year" are actually down, and dealer deliveries are actually up. Read it close

"SSI: 24,637 Retail Sales in January ’22; 2nd Best Jan. Ever

By: RVBusiness|Published on: Mar 8, 2022|Categories: Top Story|

With 24,637 retail registrations recorded across North America, January 2022 represents the second best on record for that respective month, according to Statistical Surveys Inc., the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based provider of retail sales and other consumer demographic data.

That said, the 24,637 figure represents a 24% year-over-year decrease compared to the 32,455 registrations recorded in January 2021 – which remains the month’s all-time best. In fact, the first five months of 2021 were record highs for each respective month.

For comparison, there were 53,290 wholesale shipments reported by the RV Industry Association (RVIA) for January 2022 – that month’s best ever on record – meaning there were 28,653 more shipments than sales this January. It’s worth noting that each month last year was a shipment record for that respective month.

The retail breakdown by segment is as follows:

United States

Among travel trailers, there were 14,755 retail registrations in January 2022, which is a 29% decrease from the 20,785 in the same period the prior year. THOR Industries led the segment with a 39.7% market share, followed by Forest River Inc. (35.9%) and Grand Design RV Co. (8.2%).

Fifth-wheels saw a 21.3% decline, going from 6,478 units this January to 5,099 units last January. Market share leaders were THOR (45.1%), Forest River (28.3%), and Grand Design (17.1%).

In camping trailers, there were 317 units reported in January 2022, a 20.6% drop from last January’s 399 total. Forest River led the category with a 44.8% share, followed by Aliner (18.9%) and Purple Line LLC (14.5%).

Park model RVs saw a 9.1% gain, with 192 registrations this January compared to 176 last January. Market share leaders were Skyline Champion (41.7%), Cavco Industries (16.7%) and Platinum Cottages (9.9%).

In the Class A segment there was a 22% drop, going from 1,119 registrations in January 2021 to 873 in the same month this year. THOR topped the segment with a 52.5% share, followed by Newmar (15.2%) and Forest River (13.6%).

There was an 18.9% decrease among Class C’s, with 1,441 units this January compared to 1,777 reported last January. Market share leaders were THOR (60.9%), Forest River (20.5%) and Winnebago Motorized (6%).

There was a 43.1% increase in the Class B segment, with 999 retail registrations this January versus 698 from the same month last year. THOR led the category (40.1%) followed by Winnebago (34.1%) and Forest River (7%).

[philh]

I get it, and I absolutely agree

[propchef]

philh wrote:
Gas prices will absolutely tank RV sales. I can't believe the number of posts on FB where people are selling their RV's because the don't like the lifestyle, can't afford the RV, and latest, can't afford the gas to take their RV somewhere. I talked to a Class A owner in FL that is thinking of paying storage fees to keep it in FL and flying home, because it's cheaper than driving it back up North.

Not sure I believe the numbers.

Suppose that Class A gets 6 mpg, and the "trip north" is 1500 miles. That's 266 gallons @ $5.50 a gallon equalling $1,463. That's gonna be a very cheap ticket and storage fees to come out ahead, then he'll have to return to retrieve it.

It's all cyclical. Drive slower and take shorter trips, at least for a few months.

[philh]

Gas prices will absolutely tank RV sales. I can't believe the number of posts on FB where people are selling their RV's because the don't like the lifestyle, can't afford the RV, and latest, can't afford the gas to take their RV somewhere. I talked to a Class A owner in FL that is thinking of paying storage fees to keep it in FL and flying home, because it's cheaper than driving it back up North.

[Lwiddis]

Very interesting report. TY for posting.

[wildtoad]

Perhaps. With the lock downs ending, work from home (anywhere) as a requirement ending, there could be a shift. I still see a lot of people living full time in an RV (as opposed to RV’ing full time). There is still a severe shortage of affordable housing everywhere and people still need a place to shelter. The price of fuel may alter mobility but may not alter sales of units.

[John_Joey]

I didn’t feel this good since 2007. 2008 the bottom fell out of the equity market

2021 was easy money, easy credit. Invest in the market, make money, and pay low interest loans on big ticket items that other will have envy toward you. Genius!!! Go big, or go home.

At least that’s what the young bucks thought. Won’t be long now till envy is replaced by the repo man. Remember CrazyApe.com, back in 2008? Well here we go again. Sorry, hope you learn like the old bulls did.

[larry_cad]

BB_TX wrote:
“Year to year” here is comparing 2022 to 2021, 2021 being anomaly due to the pandemic. Need to look at monthly numbers for at least the last 5 years to get a real picture of RV sales trends.

My point was that sales year to year is dropping, and inventories are increasing. Don't need to look back 6 years to demonstrate that.

Simply, this is the beginning of the end of massive sales, and perhaps, the beginning of lower prices.

[BB_TX]

“Year to year” here is comparing 2022 to 2021, 2021 being anomaly due to the pandemic. Need to look at monthly numbers for at least the last 5 years to get a real picture of RV sales trends.