NMMA optimistic about 2003 results

CHICAGO, Ill. — Wholesale dollar sales of all boats through August were up 9.2 percent compared to the previous year’s numbers, while unit boat shipments were down 3.5 percent, the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) reported yesterday in its August Monthly Shipment Report (MSR).

The traditional powerboat segments, (outboard, sterndrive, and inboard boats) were up 11.0 percent in dollars and up 7.6 percent in units shipped through August, compared to the previous year, the association stated.

“If you remove the paddlesports segment from the equation, and focus on the traditional power segments, unit shipments are up more than 8 percent for the first eight months of the year, while wholesale dollar sales are up 11 percent,” said Jim Petru, NMMA statistics director. “These numbers and early predictions from Info Link Technologies and Statistical Surveys that retail boat sales will be up in the third quarter, are good indications that 2003 will be a good year for recreational boating.”

September dollar sales expected to be up

The flash report for September suggests that, compared to the same time period last year, wholesale unit shipments are estimated to be down 1.6 percent, while dollars are estimated to be up 11.6 percent.

The flash report is a quick read of the month just completed which provides a preliminary look at wholesale shipments while NMMA awaits the balance of the control group to submit their monthly sales. Flash report estimates are representative of the final figures with an average deviation of 1 to 2 percent, according to the association.

NMMA’s MSR tracks manufacturers’ shipments to dealers for both boats and outboard engines using a control group of boat and engine manufacturers.

The 2003 boat control group represents about 85 percent of the overall boat marketplace while the 2003 outboard engine control group represents about 95 percent of the market.

Companies participating in the control group are asked to contribute their sales figures by the fifteenth of each following month. The numbers referenced in the flash report reflect those that were contributed by the deadline date. Final numbers accounting for all submitted reports are usually available within the next 30 days.

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