The overwhelming majority of RV dealerships that responded to an RVDA survey in the past few days are open for business, providing essential services under state and local stay-at-home orders due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Of the 145 dealers who responded to the survey, 93 percent reported their fixed operations remained open, while 89 percent reported their sales department remained open. RVDA conducted the RV dealer survey April 10-13.
Though most respondents are still open, the disruption caused by the COVID-19 outbreak is having a major impact on normal sales and service operations, the survey found.
Fixed Operations
How has COVID-19 impacted fixed operations/service?
18% said: Business down 26% to 49%
35% said: Business down 50% to 74%
26% said: Business down 75% or more
7% said: Fixed operations closed
New Unit Sales
How has COVID-19 impacted new unit sales?
21% said: Sales down 50% to 75%
44% said: Sales down 75% or more
11% said: Sales department closed
RV dealers are applying en masse for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans administered by the Small Business Administration. The survey indicated 93 percent of dealers said they either had–or planned to–apply for the PPP loan program.
“RV dealers who are remaining open for business are doing everything they can to operate in a responsible manner during this pandemic,” RVDA Chairman Ron Shepherd of Camperland of Oklahoma said. “The Mike Molino RV Learning Center has outlined steps that RV dealers are using in the fixed operations department to follow Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance.”
In several states, RV dealership service departments remained open as essential businesses even if the dealership’s sales department was closed. Essential services provided by RV dealers include: in-transit service for people who must travel by RV; service for those sheltering in campgrounds; providing essential sales and services for quarantine units for medical staff and first responders; support services and sales for essential industries using RVs, such as utility companies; and service for safety recalls.
