According to “Recreational Vehicle Manufacturing in the U.S.”, a new
report from market research publisher SBI, the RV market is expected to
recover over the next five years, growing five percent and reaching
$15.9 billion. Following a three percent spike caused by FEMA purchases
for Hurricane Katrina victims, 2006 ended flat with a less than a one
percent drop, closing the year at $12.3 billion. Higher interest rates,
gas prices and a slower housing market are restricting consumers’ RV
purchases through this year, dropping the market nearly four percent to
under $12 billion, according to the report.
Barring any unforeseen events, SBI projects the market will
absorb excess RVs from Hurricane Katrina by 2008, and growth of 8-10
percent will resume during the next three years, topping the market out
at 431,000 units and $15.9 billion by 2011. However, even a slight rise
in interest rates could cause problems for consumers.
