Rural Lifestyle Dealer 2010 Survey Predicts Significant Sales Increase

Rural Lifestyle Dealer magazine, in their recent Business Trends & Outlook for 2010 survey, found that dealers think sales this year could be something to get excited about. Dealers said they are predicting a significant sales turnaround in nearly every category of equipment, with double-digit increases in dealer confidence for sales of zero-turn mowers, compact and utility tractors, utility vehicles, front-end loaders and rotary cutters.

More than 85% of dealers in the survey expect to maintain or grow revenues from the rural lifestyle segment in 2010. “The outlook is good, as it seems our customers are starting to get back on track,” one dealer wrote. “It won’t be 2008, but we should see growth of 3-10%.”

Dealers told the magazine they are still worried about tight credit conditions, floorplanning costs, joblessness and the depressed housing market. Few dealers said that they are planning to hike inventory levels. According to the results, it seems like manufacturers and dealers are ready to shake off last year’s doldrums.