January 2009 was worst ever for RV shipments

RESTON, Va. -- Wholesale shipments of recreational vehicles recorded the lowest January total on record.

Although the 7,300 units shipped in January 2009 were up 30 percent from the 5,600 RVs shipped in December 2008, year-over-year shipments were off 70.7 percent from the 24,900 RVs shipped in January 2008, according to the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association. Since 1995, the second-worst January came in 1996, when 19,100 units were shipped.

The RVIA laid most of the blame for the disappointing totals on banks imposing higher credit standards and higher interest rates that have "effectively shut off consumer spending on large ticket items."

The towable segment shipped 6,600 units in January, down 69.4 percent from the 21,600 units sent in January 2008. Motorhome shipments dropped 78.7 percent with just 700 RVs being shipped in January compared to 3,300 shipped one year ago.