Pete Liegl, CEO of Forest River Inc., at an RV Open House event. The company has supplanted Thor Industries Inc. as the top U.S. RV retailer.
Forest River Inc. is the top U.S. RV retailer for the first seven months of 2013, based on July retail sales figures released Friday (Sept. 20) by Statistical Surveys Inc., the company reports.
This includes recreational vehicles marketed under the Forest River, Coachmen, Palomino, Shasta, Dynamax and Prime Time brand names, but does not include Class B van campers, a relatively small market niche in terms of total sales.
The Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary, meanwhile, announced that it has expanded its lead retailing position in conventional motorhomes.
“In all products combined (motorhomes and towables), Forest River Inc. ranks No. 1 with 34.4% market share, representing 7.4% market share growth year-to-date over the same period last year,” Forest River stated in a Friday press release. “Thor Industries ranked second with 33.9% market share and Jayco Inc. third with 10.8% market share.”
In Class A and C motorhomes, the company added, Forest River ranks No. 1 with a 25.5% market share, Thor second with 24.6% and Winnebago Industries Inc. third with an 18.3% market share. However, Statistical Surveys National RV Sales Manager Scott Stropkai points out, Thor still ranks first in all motorhomes if Class B’s are counted.
In consolidated towables, Elkhart-based Forest River ranks first with a 35.5% market share, while Thor is second with 35.1% and Jayco third with 11.4%.
“While we are certainly pleased to earn the No. 1 position in the RV industry, we are humbled by this accomplishment and remain focused on the continuous improvement of our products and services,” commented Pete Liegl, president and CEO of Forest River. “Our commitment to the satisfaction of our retail owners and to providing the absolute best value in the RV Industry has only strengthened with our success.”
Forest River, in addition to RVs, is a leading manufacturer of pontoon boats, cargo trailers and buses.
