Part 8/19:
Inside factory plants, the downturn is palpable. Leading manufacturers like Winnebago and Thor have reported over 50% drops in sales and are now adjusting output, often resorting to layoffs and production cuts in regions like Elkhart County, Indiana—long considered the heart of the RV industry. This slowdown has ripple effects on local economies, impacting suppliers, mechanics, retailers, and service providers.
The economic pain is especially acute in factory towns—diners, hardware stores, and schools are feeling the strain as unemployment rises and local revenue dips. This regional recession starkly contrasts industry projections of “soft landings,” revealing the human toll of the industry’s correction.