Trade Group Signals Add to Industry Question Marks

While economy pundits like Blomberg are pointing to the RV industry sales dive as a bellweather for an economic recession (see "RV Manufacturers Hit the Skids") at least one industry gorilla doesn't share the view. The trade group, Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA), says 'au contraire.' RVIA mouthpiece, Gary LaBella, takes a very positive view of the future of RV marketing. Pointing to its own statistics, the group holds that RV ownership is growing faster than the population with nearly one in 12 U.S. vehicle owning households now owning an RV – an estimated 8 million vehicles. Statistics and studies conducted by the RVIA also suggest the growth rates in the RV marketplace are likely to continue in the long term – with the number of RV owning households rising to 8.5 percent by 2010.

Summing it up, LaBella says, “Demand for RVs will continue to grow during the next decade, due to favorable population trends and purchase intentions."

Train wreck or bullet train? Apparently the future will decide the fate of RV makers.