Winnebago President and CEO Mike Happe said internal data showed the manufacturer’s RV retail sales improved over the first three weeks of March compared with the pace in January and February.
In reporting quarterly financial results, Happe said two of the first three weeks in March were certainly better than the first two months, while the third week saw similar retail results.
“So, net positive in terms of the general direction of retail in March,” Happe said, “versus what we have seen in January and February.”
Happe said Winnebago’s RV and marine aged inventory significantly improved from the end of the fiscal second quarter of 2026 compared with the end of the fiscal second quarter of 2025. He said prior model year RVs are meaningfully down, enabling consumers to shop the very latest brands.
The company’s RV divisions registered 1.5 turns in the fiscal second quarter of 2026, down from 1.8 turns a year earlier and 1.9 turns in the fiscal second quarter of 2024. Happe said the change reflects, in part, the new and refreshed stocking dealers performed in the fiscal second quarter of 2026.
“Dealers are supporting these new business strategies,” Happe said, “and building inventory positions where they believe in future retail opportunities.”
Other highlights of Happe’s presentation included news that Winnebago’s towable division is planning to build fifth wheels. He said no plans are yet ready on the first model built or the availability, but the plan is “on the roadmap.”
He took time to discuss Lithionics’ growth since Winnebago’s 2023 acquisition of the lithium battery supplier. He said Lithionics has expanded its product line and added several new customers.
He said, “We have very good working relationships between Lithionics and several RV OEMs.”
Happe called Lithionics the gold standard in battery packs and battery management systems. He said the division includes aftermarket opportunities and provides healthy margins to its parent company.
“It is a strategic technology vertical,” he said. “Some of the business we do is captive to our own brand, but the business we do on the outside comes at a fair, healthy margin that allows us to contribute back to enterprise profitability and also reinvest in the Lithionics business.”
In a question-and-answer session with industry analysts, Happe was asked about Winnebago’s all-electric RV plans. Thor Industries is planning production of its Entegra Coach Type A Embark hybrid motorhome this year, four years after Winnebago and Thor Industries debuted electric motorhome concept vehicles at the Florida RV SuperShow.
Happe said Winnebago has changed its commercial electric RV plans.
“Several years ago, we were active with the pilot of an all-electric Ford platform,” he said, “and we did produce a very small number of those and engage a few dealers on consumer engagement.”
Happe said finding the right partner and platform, combined with consumer feedback, led Winnebago to drop a commercial strategy. He said instead, the company focused on the electrification of household power through Lithionics.
He said, “That really is our electrification strategy right now, house power platform.”
