The Real Reason Harley-Davidson is Closing Plants In the U.S.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 9,238
Likes: 5,784
From: On the Big Blue marble
Read the article 80% decrease of net income, this is a relevant in that they are/should be addressing a one shrinking demographic and trying to acknowledge the next hill market. Not saying they will be successful freeing themselves from dealer inspired hot dog crowd, but at least there is process in motion
80% decrease in net income is NOT a factual statement - PERIOD. I just checked stock prices, dividends paid, etc... ts just not true AND the OP needs to fact check.. If ANY publicly traded firm had a net loss of income of 80%, believe me, you'd know about it... Personally looking at the numbers, it just looks like this is a sales cycle norm and this corrects itself with applied and passive actions which HD is doing. I read the articles, I checked the facts before I challenged them.. Did you do the same? Sorry if I sound pissy here BUT agree or disagree, its all good but facts are facts.. The CCE OP did not state facts
Last edited by uncle kebo; Jun 13, 2018 at 02:40 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,580
From: Wisconsin, USA
The financial facts may not be right, and thats a problem. But the main point that Harley doesnt have a diverse offering, that appeals to different demographics, is undeniable.
They threw people like me, who liked the old Batwing, fender badges, heavy directionals, chrome and Whitewalls under the bus in 2014. They eliminated the Standard and Classic FLHTs which were a good value.
They threw people like me, who liked the old Batwing, fender badges, heavy directionals, chrome and Whitewalls under the bus in 2014. They eliminated the Standard and Classic FLHTs which were a good value.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 298
Likes: 48
From: Carson City, NV
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 3,268
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From: Westchester, NY
I think the threads get locked because its usually a garbage article that ends up becoming a 45 post hate fest. So they lock it rather than deal with it.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 494
Likes: 63
From: Bay Area, CA
The blind defense of the MOCO is always interesting. They are having trouble. They have told the world they are having trouble. The results show they are having trouble. This doesn't mean they are going broke, but they are in a serious pinch. They didn't close a factory for any reason other than they weren't making money. There is no "silver lining" reason. There is no happy explanation.
Trying to pick out a statement from the article as false, and then implying it means there is no issue with the finances of the company despite all of the other known information, as so many do, is delusional.
Banned
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 23,816
Likes: 57,355
From: Tampa, FL
Could it be that HD missed out on getting into ATVs which has grown into huge side by side market or making something innovative like the sling shot which sales are increasing? Could it be that only making motorcycles be part of the problem? Do they make enough in trademark clothing sales?
Can HD soldier on by selling premium priced motorcycles to older folks at a lower volume as motorcycle riding declines? I have no doubt that the younger generation that actually rides will purchase them when they get older and have some extra income to spend. If HD can still be seen as the ultimate cruising bike or a status symbol.
Many say it's because the younger folks can't afford them yet I see so many in very expensive lifted 4x4 trucks and Jeep Wranglers.
Can HD soldier on by selling premium priced motorcycles to older folks at a lower volume as motorcycle riding declines? I have no doubt that the younger generation that actually rides will purchase them when they get older and have some extra income to spend. If HD can still be seen as the ultimate cruising bike or a status symbol.
Many say it's because the younger folks can't afford them yet I see so many in very expensive lifted 4x4 trucks and Jeep Wranglers.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 3,268
Likes: 3,085
From: Westchester, NY
If HD was making top of the line performance motorcycles they might have a shot of branching out into the ATV/SXS market. That market, along with other power sports like Jet skis and snowmobiles, are all high performance oriented markets. They do offer some models more geared towards low performance, higher comfort, utility use, but that's not the main focus and big sellers. The consumers in that market would IMO not be interested what so ever in a HD product, UNLESS it blew away the competition. HDs whole marketing strategy for those types of toys would need to be re invented. They can't even make a bike with competitive performance... I think its safe to say they have zero chance of breaking into any of the off road markets with anything other than an industry leading performance machine, which knowing HD, will never happen.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 592
From: Philly PA
First time I have seen anything in writing about the expanding motorcycle market.
Harley used to make golf carts and snow mobiles. They also owned a motorhome company at one time I believe. They have an advantage and a curse of having one of the most recognized brand names. The advantage is everyone knows the name and what they do, the curse is they are locked into a stereotype and it's hard to break out of that. Does anyone remember the line of business suits that Levis made? They flopped big time because no one thought of suits when they thought of Levis so they stayed away in droves. I fear the same would happen if HD branched out. The best way to make it work would be to buy someone and market under their name.
I highly doubt it. I would see that being a huge waste of time and money dumped into a project that will eventually have the plug pulled on it.
If HD was making top of the line performance motorcycles they might have a shot of branching out into the ATV/SXS market. That market, along with other power sports like Jet skis and snowmobiles, are all high performance oriented markets. They do offer some models more geared towards low performance, higher comfort, utility use, but that's not the main focus and big sellers. The consumers in that market would IMO not be interested what so ever in a HD product, UNLESS it blew away the competition. HDs whole marketing strategy for those types of toys would need to be re invented. They can't even make a bike with competitive performance... I think its safe to say they have zero chance of breaking into any of the off road markets with anything other than an industry leading performance machine, which knowing HD, will never happen.
If HD was making top of the line performance motorcycles they might have a shot of branching out into the ATV/SXS market. That market, along with other power sports like Jet skis and snowmobiles, are all high performance oriented markets. They do offer some models more geared towards low performance, higher comfort, utility use, but that's not the main focus and big sellers. The consumers in that market would IMO not be interested what so ever in a HD product, UNLESS it blew away the competition. HDs whole marketing strategy for those types of toys would need to be re invented. They can't even make a bike with competitive performance... I think its safe to say they have zero chance of breaking into any of the off road markets with anything other than an industry leading performance machine, which knowing HD, will never happen.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 3,268
Likes: 3,085
From: Westchester, NY
Didn't know about the golf carts or anything about motorhomes though. I agree the best and only realistic way for them to branch into a different market would be to buy out an existing company, and go that route. At that point though, I wouldnt consider whatever product it is to be considered a Harley Product. To go back to sleds... Artic Cat was bought out by Textron. I still consider the sleds to be Cats and wouldnt expect anybody to ever say "oh yeah I ride a textron."
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 6,863
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From: St. Charles, MO
I highly doubt it. I would see that being a huge waste of time and money dumped into a project that will eventually have the plug pulled on it.
If HD was making top of the line performance motorcycles they might have a shot of branching out into the ATV/SXS market. That market, along with other power sports like Jet skis and snowmobiles, are all high performance oriented markets. They do offer some models more geared towards low performance, higher comfort, utility use, but that's not the main focus and big sellers. The consumers in that market would IMO not be interested what so ever in a HD product, UNLESS it blew away the competition. HDs whole marketing strategy for those types of toys would need to be re invented. They can't even make a bike with competitive performance... I think its safe to say they have zero chance of breaking into any of the off road markets with anything other than an industry leading performance machine, which knowing HD, will never happen.
If HD was making top of the line performance motorcycles they might have a shot of branching out into the ATV/SXS market. That market, along with other power sports like Jet skis and snowmobiles, are all high performance oriented markets. They do offer some models more geared towards low performance, higher comfort, utility use, but that's not the main focus and big sellers. The consumers in that market would IMO not be interested what so ever in a HD product, UNLESS it blew away the competition. HDs whole marketing strategy for those types of toys would need to be re invented. They can't even make a bike with competitive performance... I think its safe to say they have zero chance of breaking into any of the off road markets with anything other than an industry leading performance machine, which knowing HD, will never happen.
