MINNEAPOLIS, MN - November 25, 2002 - Recently released wholesale financing numbers for October 2002 indicate Genmar dealers are poised for an exceptional 2003 boat show season, the company announced today.
According to the October 2002 figures, Genmar's dealer sales increased by 47 percent over October 2001. With the additions of Genmar's new brands, Champion and Fish Hawk, it is important to note that measurements of same-company retail dollars increased nearly 46 percent. Wholesale shipments to dealers, measured in dollars, also increased substantially, rising more than 35 percent in October.
"We believe the upcoming boat show season will generate the strongest retail sales for Genmar dealers in over a decade," said Genmar Chairman Irwin Jacobs. "I believe our dealers will once again out-perform the boating industry, with Genmar providing the tools to make this happen through our new FirstMate and FirstMate Plus programs as well as our boat show specials and marketing programs."
Figures for the 2003 model-year to date reflect a 15 percent increase in wholesale shipments, signaling high expectations for the 2003 boat show season. Wholesale shipments are expected to show continued strength based on increasing credit lines being made available by Genmar's floor plan finance group for the purchase of Genmar products.
Genmar, with approximately 6,000 employees and 12 manufacturing centers in the United States and Canada, is the world's largest builder of recreational boats and the industry's technological leader. Genmar boat brands include Aquasport®, Carver®, Champion®, Crestliner®, Fish Hawk, Four Winns®, Glastron®, Genmar® by Zodiac, Hydra-Sports®, Larson®, Lowe®, Lund®, Martinique®, Ranger®, Seaswirl®, Stratos®, Triumph® and Wellcraft®.