In our last issue, I wrote about attending the enormous RV industry trade show in Louisville, Kentucky, and I noted how positive all of the RV manufacturers and dealers were feeling thanks to another year of strong sales. Now that the final numbers are in, it looks like they should be breaking out the champagne. According to the Recreational Vehicle Industry Association (RVIA), factory deliveries of RVs in the year 2003 approached record levels. In fact, RV sales reached their second-highest level in more than 25 years!

Dr. Richard Curtin, a University of Michigan researcher who monitors RV sales statistics for the RVIA, predicts 2004 will see even more RVs rolling out the showroom doors. He's predicting an increase of 2.3 percent over 2003 sales totals. "A stronger economy, higher incomes, continued low interest rates and concerns about the safety of international travel will continue to bolster the appeal of RVs," he explains.

Dr. Curtin's data reveals that the biggest growth area was in the number of RVs owned by people in the 35 to 54 age bracket. In other words, families. We've said this for years, and it's nice to now have the scientific data to back it up.

Sales through the fall were particularly strong. RV shipments in October jumped more than 11 percent from the previous month, and almost four percent over those of October of 2002. In fact, it was the strongest October, in terms of RV sales, in more than 27 years! With the combination of low interest rates, a strong Canadian dollar and some superb new designs, there's never been a better time to buy an RV.

But beyond that, there's an even more important reason to join the RV lifestyle. It's just plain fun.
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As thousands of people enter the world of RVs each year, it is inevitable that a few will leave it. On behalf of the entire staff at RV Lifestyle, we would like to wish a very fond farewell to Mr. Duncan MacDonald, who retired as the central and eastern Canada territory manager for Coast Distribution System of Canada. Dunc started working in the RV business in 1958, and has forgotten more about recreational vehicles than many of us will ever know. He's also a first-class guy and a friend to the many, many people he's come to know over more than 46 years in the industry. We wish Dunc all the best, and hope he gets to spend as much time enjoying RVs himself as he did introducing people to this wonderful lifestyle. (Top)