Dealers retain positive outlooks on the RV industry in the latest Baird RV Dealer Sentiment Index. Yet current and future outlooks continued recent slumps.
The index found dealers registering a 65 out of 100 on their current condition outlook. That is a sharp 15.5% dip from the previous month when dealers registered a 77. Current sentiment recently peaked in March at 81.
The three- to five-year outlook is grimmer. Dealers registered a 54 out of 100 in the August index, barely remaining positive about the long-term industry outlook. The sentiment is a drop from a 59 registered the previous month.
The long-term outlook now is at the lowest survey point since 2011.
Baird analyst Craig Kennison said the dipping sentiment shows the supply shortage impact on dealerships.
“Dealers have the demand,” he said, “but there simply is not enough inventory to go around.”
Conducted by Baird in partnership with RVDA, the index highlights dealer sentiment on current and future industry states.
RVDA is dedicated to advancing RV dealers’ interests through education, member services, industry leadership, and market expansion programs that promote the increased sale and use of RVs and enhance the positive image of the RV experience. RVDA is based in Fairfax, Virginia. For more information on RVDA, visit www.rvda.org.
Baird is a privately held financial services firm with a history of serving partners since 1919. Its broad equity research coverage includes the RV, marine, and powersports industries, with an emphasis on understanding the entire RV ecosystem. www.rwbaird.com.
