A Message From Matt Levatich
Club Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 937
Likes: 22
From: Ontario, Canada
yer pissin' into the wind. I still see plenty of trogs on other motorcycle sites commenting about how "no one's gonna buy Harleys once they move production out of America."
Part of me wants to correct them, but most of me just sighs and says "if they're stupid enough to not listen to what they're saying, they're surely not smart enough to listen to what I say."
edit: hey, what d'ya know? Here's one of them now:
They're opening plants in other countries TO MAKE BIKES TO SELL IN THOSE OTHER COUNTRIES. NOT AMERICA. BIKES SOLD IN AMERICA WILL CONTINUE TO BE MADE IN AMERICA.
Do you get it yet or do I need to use really big text?
Part of me wants to correct them, but most of me just sighs and says "if they're stupid enough to not listen to what they're saying, they're surely not smart enough to listen to what I say."
edit: hey, what d'ya know? Here's one of them now:
They're opening plants in other countries TO MAKE BIKES TO SELL IN THOSE OTHER COUNTRIES. NOT AMERICA. BIKES SOLD IN AMERICA WILL CONTINUE TO BE MADE IN AMERICA.
Do you get it yet or do I need to use really big text?
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 4,698
Likes: 5,297
From: Behind you, making faces
And the best part is that we get treated to the oh-so-cute VROOM! as a Harley goes across the screen.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,447
Likes: 163
From: Northern VA
On the surface it can seem that way but they have been building bikes overseas for a long time . Those are to feed the Euro and Asian market. https://www.businesstoday.in/current...ry/200313.html
The Thailand factory will be for the Asian/ Chinese market since thats grown and needs to be grown more to survive. https://www.cnbc.com/2017/05/25/harl...an-market.html
As for those who say parts made in China or India are cr*p ( not you) ....it's only the case if you spec the parts out with cheap material , loose specifications and short lead times. My company occasionally gets stuff made in China.
The sh*ts amazingly good when you draw it up that way. Tolerances are right on , anodizing is excellent etc.. HD is just doing what any company needs to do right now to survive.
The Thailand factory will be for the Asian/ Chinese market since thats grown and needs to be grown more to survive. https://www.cnbc.com/2017/05/25/harl...an-market.html
As for those who say parts made in China or India are cr*p ( not you) ....it's only the case if you spec the parts out with cheap material , loose specifications and short lead times. My company occasionally gets stuff made in China.
The sh*ts amazingly good when you draw it up that way. Tolerances are right on , anodizing is excellent etc.. HD is just doing what any company needs to do right now to survive.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 14,262
Likes: 15,534
From: Tulsa
I fully understand business,
That said, H-D is taking a Profit and loss position over a much deeper ideal, by building plants to avoid tariffs, they are undermining the intent of our president. His goal is to make America great again, some pain will be suffered by all in the process, hopefully short lived. it would be much more impactful if H-D and other American companies stood behind our elected government to accomplish the intended results.
Just my thoughts, and clearly, I could be completely wrong.
That said, H-D is taking a Profit and loss position over a much deeper ideal, by building plants to avoid tariffs, they are undermining the intent of our president. His goal is to make America great again, some pain will be suffered by all in the process, hopefully short lived. it would be much more impactful if H-D and other American companies stood behind our elected government to accomplish the intended results.
Just my thoughts, and clearly, I could be completely wrong.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,842
Likes: 502
From: Northern WV
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,599
Likes: 421
From: Lansing mi
I to don't know why Polaris said the same thing as HD and no one cares. I do think we need to give some time to Trump. He is trying to level the playing field. No other President has had the guts to do it.we all need to calm down and let it work out, I think in the end our country will have a improved triad deal then we have had since the 60s.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 3,453
Likes: 249
Maybe there isn't going to be one in Europe after all but it was/is under consideration. https://www.marketwatch.com/story/ha...ffs-2018-06-26
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 14,262
Likes: 15,534
From: Tulsa
If it has to happen, I'd much rather see Poland benefit from the plant than Germany, France or the UK.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 7,707
Likes: 13,989
From: Northern New Jersey
Thats a tough call..and a good question. I would certainly hope not. But heck, I tried finding a friggin coffee maker that's made in the US and it aint easy so who knows. I do know that evening out the playing field out in terms of tariffs will help HD survive and make continuing to the build them here more viable.
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 6,905
Likes: 4,877
From: Midwest
IMO this whole issue is riddled with hypocrisy. Harley is not doing anything other corporations are not doing but this is being made into a political issue when it is beneficial.
Trump branded apparel is made offshore? Why? Because its cheaper. Chris ***, the founder of Bikers for Trump said he sells pro-Trump T-shirts made in Haiti because American-made products are too expensive. -- “If I get a T-shirt made in the USA, it’s going to cost about $8 more,” “I looked far and wide to try to get a shirt made in America, it’s just they get you, they gouge you.”
Not making this into a political debate. But the fact is, the people that are crying the loudest about it have their hands in the cookie jar as well..People demanding American-made need to start with themselves, not proclaim do as I say not as I do. Lead by example.
Trump branded apparel is made offshore? Why? Because its cheaper. Chris ***, the founder of Bikers for Trump said he sells pro-Trump T-shirts made in Haiti because American-made products are too expensive. -- “If I get a T-shirt made in the USA, it’s going to cost about $8 more,” “I looked far and wide to try to get a shirt made in America, it’s just they get you, they gouge you.”
Not making this into a political debate. But the fact is, the people that are crying the loudest about it have their hands in the cookie jar as well..People demanding American-made need to start with themselves, not proclaim do as I say not as I do. Lead by example.
