RVBusiness, March-April 2015
Nearly 95 of RV Dealers Posted Profits in 2014 60 RVBusiness M A R C H A P R I L 2 0 1 5 This optimistic outlook is pretty consistent with everything were hearing around the industry from the first quarter of 2015 stated GE CDF RV Group President Tim Hyland Although there have been some weather related setbacks in a few locales 2015 has started out well based on traffic and sales reports from numerous retail shows throughout the U S and Canada T he vast majority of North American RV dealerships 948 were profitable in 2014 according to a nonscientific 2015 RVB GE Dealer Survey of RV retailers in February co sponsored by RVBusiness magazine and GE Capital Commercial Distribution Finance CDF Of those profitable dealers responding to the survey which was designed to provide a look back at 2014 and a speculative glance forward at 2015 a total of 23 posted growth of more than 20 while 297 reported gains of between 10 and 15 and another 216 experienced hikes of up to 5 Of course these results come as no real surprise to most industry observers inasmuch as the Recreation Vehicle Industry Associations RVIA year end reports indicated that total wholesale shipments to retailers of all RVs last year reached an eight year high of 356735 units noted RVB Publisher Sherman Goldenberg However the first ever RVB GE Dealer Survey tends to give us a little clearer picture as to the nature and extent of the recent upsurge he added pointing out that 627 of profitable surveyed dealers posted their greatest incremental gains in new RV sales Dealers also registered solid improvement in F I 413 service 413 used sales 40 and parts and accessories 33 Looking ahead the survey indicated a substantial majority of those 77 responding dealers 818 are anticipating a good year in 2015 when combining the 675 who are expecting a better 2015 with the 143 who are looking for a much better business environment this year Consequently in one of the surveys more interesting twists an impressive 446 are planning to expand their operations this year either organically or by acquisition And 75 are likely to add staff in 2015 especially in service and parts This optimistic outlook is consistent with everything were hearing around the industry from the first quarter of 2015 stated GE CDF RV Group President Tim Hyland With shipments up almost 12 in January 2015 has started out well with traffic and sales reports from U S and Canada showing
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