Each year, they turn out 1,400 to 2,000 Airstreams from this small, low-slung factory nestled among Ohio cornfields. Workers rivet distinctive aluminum sheets onto a frame one by one, the way a plane is made. They place the insulation in, sheet by sheet. Fixtures carry brand names including Maytag, Moen, Sony and others. The workmanship and materials come at a cost.
Airstreams are expensive.
Airstream faces far more competition among motorized RVs, many of which cost much less. The cost drove Airstream's central Ohio distributor, Jerry Greer RV of Westerville, to discontinue the line. The prices were so high on it, our Airstream business was really down,'' said Bob Reynard, finance manager at the dealership. Huttle is undeterred. He's confident Airstream can ride its classic style into new markets.