Will the Think bankruptcy affect operations in Elkhart, IN?

The bankruptcy filing by Think Global makes us question the future of Think's only North American factory.

Located in Elkhart, IN, Think's U.S. production site was initially touted as an economic boost for an area hammered by job loss in the recreational vehicle industry. Think's grand scheme called for its Elkhart crew to work 10-hour shifts, seven days a week in order to pump out 2,500 Think Cities in 2011. Beyond that, Think manufacturing director, Karl Turner, previously told AutoblogGreen that the Elkhart factory could churn out up to 60,000 of the pint-sized electric vehicles a year. Of course, that was all before Think Global's bankruptcy filing this week.

So, will Think's financial struggles affect operation in Elkhart? Well, according to Elkhart Mayor Dick Moore, the automaker insists that the factory won't be impacted by Think Global's bankruptcy filing. However, Moore is concerned, and rightly so. The Elkhart Truth reports that production at the Elkhart site was shut down recently as its employees waited on parts needed to assemble Think Cities. That shutdown was prior to Think Global's bankruptcy filing, which leads us to believe that the situation will continue to get worse. A spokesperson for Think North America didn't respond to phone and email messages from the Associated Press and Inside Indiana Business seeking comment.

Photos by Sebastian Blanco / Copyright ©2010 AOL

[Source: Inside Indiana Business, Indystar]