‘Open House’ Delivers as Dealers Buy Up Product
September 21, 2016 by RVBusiness
The biggest event of the year for the largest recreational vehicle company in the world is off and running with new amenities as the top attractions.
As reported by the Elkhart Truth, Thor Industries Inc.’s 2016 Open House opened on Monday (Sept. 19) morning at the RV/MH Hall of Fame, giving dealers a good look at new models. By mid-morning a steady stream of dealers were going in and out of the more than 500 units on display.
“I come here every year,” said Doug Ross, who owns an RV dealership in Alberta, Canada. “Come here just to look around, buy some models for the coming year.”
That’s what the Open House is all about – making big sales so local RV manufacturers have orders to produce during the coming winter months. Between the open houses that Thor and rival Forest River Inc. are hosting this week in Elkhart, a projected $2 billion in sales could be completed.
For Heartland Recreational Vehicles LLC, a subsidiary of Thor, the Open House sales can keep production lines busy until early spring.
“This is not only a big deal for the RV manufacturers. It is also a big deal for the suppliers and employees as well,” said Chris Hermon, president of Heartland.