The problem in Elkhart with the RV business is what the article is about. Dealer lots across the country are full of the million dollar models. Millionaires can only buy so many of those. They could downscale and make smaller models. They could make many other non-RV products with the same tools and materials. Instead the whole town is standing in line at the food bank, and the company is sitting idle.
This economic downturn is no surprize to any competent manager. Such a person would have, several years ago, directed a significant portion of their marketing budget to determine what they might make and sell when the super-luxury items don't sell.
“They could downscale and make smaller models. They could make many other non-RV products”
They make very few “million dollar motorhomes” in Elkhart. The majority of the motorhomes made there are class c and retail for between 60,000 and 80,000 dollars which would still put it out of my league.
They also manufacture all the Fed-Ex and UPS trucks that you see all over the country as well as small box delivery vehicles.
They’re having a tough time right now but Elkhart is filled with fine hard working people and I know they will work their way out of this mess somehow.
They ought to make pop-up tent/trailers and sell them to cities across America as “affordable housing”.