RESTON, Va., Jan. 5 (UPI) -- The Recreation Vehicle Industry Association of Reston, Va., said Wednesday deliveries of recreation vehicles surged in 2004.
The association said RV sales surged to their highest level since 1978 and are expected to continue to strengthen during the decade ahead.
Consumers purchased RVs at a record pace last year, despite record-high gasoline prices.
University of Michigan researcher Richard Curtin, who produces quarterly forecasts for the RV industry, announced that 2004 will set a new quarter-century record of 364,900 RV shipments, shattering 1999's peak of 321,200. This represents an almost 14 percent gain over the 320,800 units shipped in 2003.
Reflecting the hot RV demand, online auction Web site eBay reported that "RV" was the most popular search term in 2004 among its 125 million users.
"There are many factors behind the surge in RV sales. Among them are the rising popularity of driving vacations, a favorable economic climate, product innovation and demographics," explained RVIA President David Humphreys.
"Families want to spend quality time together and prefer the greater freedom, flexibility, control and comfort RVs provide. Younger consumers are driving up sales -- realizing the advantages of RVing over other forms of travel," he added.
