SSI: Trailers Push Sept. Towables to 5.4% Gain

Year-over-year retail towable sales increased 5.4% in September and 6.9% for the third quarter while registrations were up 8.4% year-to-date.

According to the latest report from Statistical Surveys Inc., results showed:

• Sales for the high-volume travel trailer sector gained 9.5% in September while year-to-date registrations rose 11.7%.

• Fifth-wheel registrations were flat for the month, up 0.7%, and rose 5.7% through September.

• Folding camping trailer sales declined 14.9% in September and 10.9% year-to-date.

• Park model sales declined 20.5% for September and 17.6% for the nine months.

Thor Industries Inc. was the towable sales leader year-to-date with a 36.3% market share, followed by Forest River Inc. at 21.6% and Jayco Inc. with a 12% share.

By segment for the first nine months, Thor was No. 1 in travel trailer sales with a 33% share, ahead of Forest River (21.6%) and Jayco (13.4%). Thor held a commanding lead in fifth-wheel sales, capturing a 53.6% market share, while Forest River posted a 17.3% share and Jayco had a 6.1% share.

Forest River was the folding camping trailer sales leader for the nine months with a 44.4% market share while Jayco (19.1%) held the No. 2 position followed by Forest River’s Coachmen RV division (10.9%). In the park model segment, Thor was No. 1, posting a 27.7% market share, with Kropf Manufacturing Co. at No. 2, holding a 10.8% share, and Skyline Corp. third at 9%.

To subscribe to this or other SSI reports, contact Scott Stropkai, national RV sales manager, at (616) 281-9898 ext. 128, or (616) 446-8179 (cell).

 

SSI: September Class B Sales Jump Up 30.5%

Year-over-year Class B motorhome sales were up 30.5% in September, 33.2% for the first nine months and 43.9% in the third quarter, according to the latest report from Statistical Surveys Inc.

Through September, Roadtrek Motorhomes Inc. retained its lead in Class B sales, owning a 36.2% market share, while fellow Canadian builder Pleasure-Way Industries Ltd. was second with a 20.1% share.

Thor Industries Inc. was the top U.S. manufacturer for the nine months, holding the No. 3 slot with an 18.7% market share, followed by Winnebago Industries Inc. at 15.8%.

To subscribe to this or other SSI reports, contact Scott Stropkai, national RV sales manager, at (616) 281-9898 ext. 128, or (616) 446-8179 (cell).

 

SSI: Coach Sales up 14% for 3Q, 3.7% in Sept.

Year-over-year motorhome registrations edged up 3.7% in September and 6.9% for the first nine months, according to the latest report from Statistical Surveys Inc. Sales increased 14.1% for the third quarter.

Thor Industries Inc. ranked as the motorhome sales leader year-to-date with a 20.4% market share, followed by Winnebago Industries Inc. (19.9%) and Forest River Inc. (12%).

In the Class A category, registrations in September dipped 3.5% compared with 2011, while sales were up 5.8% for the nine months. Winnebago led the category year-to-date, posting a 21.7% market share, while Tiffin Motorhomes Inc. held a 19.8% share and Thor was No. 3 with an 18.7% share.

Class C sales grew 16% for the month and 8.3% year-to-date. Thor led the category through September with a 22.5% market share, followed by Forest River’s Coachmen RV division (18.6%), Forest River (17.9%) and Winnebago (17.7%).

A low volume of rental registrations, primarily Class C sales, fell 57% in September.

To subscribe to this or other SSI reports, contact Scott Stropkai, national RV sales manager, at (616) 281-9898 ext 128, or (616) 446-8179 (cell).

SSI: August Canadian Towable Sales Drop 4.2%

Year-over-year Canadian retail sales of towable RVs declined 4.2% in August and edged down 1% for the first eight months, according to the latest report from Statistical Surveys Inc. (SSI). The Grand Rapids. Mich.-based firm noted that the provinces of British Columbia and Manitoba are incomplete.

A sector-by-sector breakdown shows:

• Sales in the travel trailer sector fell 2.9% in August and were flat for the eight months, up 0.6%.

• Fifth-wheel sales were off 0.7% for the month and edged up 0.2% year-to-date.

• Folding camping trailer registrations dropped 24.2% in August and 18.7% for the eight months.

• Recreational park trailers declined 37.9% for the month and 24.8% year-to-date.

Thor Industries Inc. was the overall Canadian towables sales leader through August with a 34.5% market share, followed by Forest River Inc. (17.4%) and Jayco Inc. (17%).

Thor was also the leader in travel trailer sales for the eight months with a 33.7% market share while Jayco was No. 2 with an 18.7% share, followed by Forest River with a 16.3% share.

Thor held a commanding lead in the Canadian fifth-wheel sector through August, capturing a 46% market share, with Forest River at No. 2 posting an 18.1% share followed by Palomino RV at 8.9%. Thor was also No. 1 in park model sales with a 44.6% share followed by Forest River (16%) and General Coach (12.6%).

Jayco led folding camping trailer sales for the eight months with a 30.8% market share while Forest River posted a 30.3% share and Forest River’s Coachmen RV division held an 17.1% share.

To subscribe to this or other SSI reports, contact Scott Stropkai, national RV sales manager, at (616) 281-9898 ext. 128, or (616) 446-8179 (cell).

SSI: Canadian Coach Sales Fall 55.6% in August

Year-over-year Canadian motorhome sales plummeted 55.6% in August while registrations were down 6.6% for the eight months. Statistical Surveys Inc. reported that data for the provinces of British Columbia and Manitoba are incomplete.

Forest River Inc. was the Canadian motorhome sales leader through August, capturing a 24% market share, followed by Thor Industries Inc. (22.3%) and Winnebago Industries Inc. (14.1%).

August Class A registrations dropped 48.1% from the year prior and declined 8.2% year-to-date. Thor was No. 1 in the category for the first eight months with a 23.8% market share, ahead of Fleetwood RV Inc. (16%) and Winnebago (14.9%).

In the Class C segment, sales fell 64.4% for August and 5.1% for the eight months. Forest River held the No. 1 spot year-to-date with a 35.7% market share followed by Thor (20.9%) and Winnebago (13.4%).

To subscribe to this or other SSI reports, contact Scott Stropkai, national RV sales manager, at (616) 281-9898 ext 128, or (616) 446-8179 (cell).

Baird: Sept. Boat Sales ‘Unchanged’ from 2011

Editor’s Note: Robert W. Baird & Co. issued a client newsletter to investors following the September boat sales report from Statistical Surveys Inc. The following offers a summary of the results.

September powerboat retail flat. U.S. consumer purchases of powerboats were unchanged in September versus last year, according to Statistical Surveys. Demand for aluminum powerboats (+4%) outpaced demand for fiberglass boats (-3%), continuing the trend of better performance in the lower-priced segment of the market. Retailers are on pace to sell 156K powerboats in 2012, up 12%.

• U.S. powerboat retail flat in September. U.S. powerboat retail was roughly flat in September. Sales trends decelerated to +6% in Q3 after growing 12% in the first half of 2012. The month of September falls in the offseason for boat sales, and accounts for 6% of the annual market. U.S. powerboat retail is up 12% YTD in 2012.

• Mix still favors smaller boats. Smaller boats continue to perform better than larger boats, consistent with our expectations. We believe consumers have more equity (or less negative equity) in smaller boats, driving better trade-in activity.

This summary of a Baird research report is not intended as investment advice. To participate in Baird surveys and receive research reports, contact Craig R. Kennison, CFA, at ckennison@rwbaird.com.

 

SSI: August’s Towable RV Retails Grew 5.4%

Retail sales of towable RVs rose 5.4% in August over August 2011, Statistical Surveys Inc. (SSI) has reported, and stood at 8% ahead year-to-date heading into the final third of the year.

Travel trailer sales were up 8% in August and 11.2% year-to-date, while fifth-wheel sales were up somewhat less at 3.2% for August and 5.5%% year-to-date.

Folding camping trailer sales fell 10.9% in August and stood down 11.3% year-to-date.

Park model sales fell 18.2% in August and were off 18.6% year-to-date.

Thor Industries Inc. retained its industry-leading No. 1 position with a 37.3% share of the towable market, with Forest River Inc. second at 32.5%.

The two firms remained Nos. 1 and 2 in travel trailer and fifth-wheel sales with 34.3% and 20.7% shares, respectively, for travel trailers and 54.8% and 16.8%, respectively, for fifth-wheels.

Forest River had a commanding 48.1% share of the folding camping trailer market, while Thor held a 28% share of the park model market.

To subscribe to this or other SSI reports, contact Scott Stropkai, national RV sales manager, at (616) 281-9898 ext 128, or (616) 446-8179 (cell).

SSI: Class B Sales Yield 42.1% Gains in August

Year-over-year Class B motorhome sales soared up 42.1% in August and were up 32% increase for the first eight months, according to the latest report from Statistical Surveys Inc.

Through August, Roadtrek Motorhomes Inc. retained its lead in Class B sales, owning a 35.8% market share, while fellow Canadian builder Pleasure-Way Industries Ltd. was second with a 19.9% share.

Thor Industries Inc. was the top U.S. manufacturer for the eight months, holding the No. 3 slot with a 19.3% market share, followed by Winnebago Industries Inc. at 16%.

To subscribe to this or other SSI reports, contact Scott Stropkai, national RV sales manager, at (616) 281-9898 ext. 128, or (616) 446-8179 (cell).

SSI: Motorhome Sales Post 7.5% Rise in August

Year-over-year motorhome registrations increased 7.5% in August while sales rose 5.9% for the first eight months, according to the latest report from Statistical Surveys Inc.

Thor Industries Inc. ranked as the motorhome sales leader year-to-date with a 20.7% market share, followed by Winnebago Industries Inc. (19.7%) and Forest River Inc. (12.2%).

In the Class A category, registrations in August gained 5.9% compared with 2011, while sales were up 6.2% for the eight months. Winnebago led the category year-to-date, posting a 21.7% market share, while Tiffin Motorhomes Inc. held a 20% share and Thor was No. 3 with an 18.5% share.

Class C sales grew 9.8% for the month and 5.6% year-to-date. Thor led the category through August with a 23.2% market share, followed by Forest River’s Coachmen RV division (19%) and Forest River (18.1%).

Rental registrations, primarily Class C sales, fell 69% in August.

To subscribe to this or other SSI reports, contact Scott Stropkai, national RV sales manager, at (616) 281-9898 ext 128, or (616) 446-8179 (cell).

 

August Boat Sales Stall, Show 2% YOY Growth

Recreational boat sales improved in August with increases among aluminum fishing and pontoon boats and smaller fiberglass outboards and declines among smaller fiberglass sterndrives, cruisers and yachts.

Soundings Trade Only reported that the industry’s growth lagged the pace it set earlier in the summer, but sales in the main powerboat segments gained 4.7% compared with August 2011 and industrywide sales rose 1.9%, according to figures compiled by Aarn Rosen, national sales manager at Statistical Surveys Inc.

“You’re past the backbone of the season and I’m sure the dealers are getting a little lean on stock, especially this year,” Rosen said. “Fortunately, you’re still seeing growth,” he added, encouraged by the trend as the typically lower-volume fourth quarter nears.

Through August, sales in the main segments, which consist of the two aluminum boat groups and five categories of fiberglass boats, are up 13.3%. Industrywide sales are 11.2% higher.

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