Thor Announces Preliminary Sales for Quarter, 12 Months; Backlog.

JACKSON CENTER, Ohio, Aug. 4, 2008 -- Thor Industries announced today preliminary sales for the quarter and 12 months ended July 31, 2008.

Sales in the quarter were $569 million, down 25% from $755 million last year. RV sales were $453 million, down 30% from $645 million last year. Bus sales were a record $115 million, up 5% from $109 million last year.

Sales in the 12 months were $2,639 million, down 8% from $2,856 million last year. RV sales were $2,224 million, down 9% from $2,456 million last year. Bus sales were a record $415 million, up 4% from $401 million last year.

Backlog on July 31, 2008 was $406 million, down 31% from $590 million last year. RV backlog was $146 million, down 60% from $361 million last year. Bus backlog was $261 million, up 14% from $229 million last year.

Thor is the world's largest manufacturer of recreation vehicles and a major builder of commercial buses.