Paul Veracka bought Motor City Harley
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Tourer
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 444
Likes: 305
From: Michigan
Paul Veracka bought Motor City Harley
Now he owns Motown and Motor City in SE Michigan, and a pile of other dealers on the east coast. I don't think I've read anything positive about the dealerships he or his brother own. Not a huge deal for me, as I thought Motor City was horrible to do business with before he bought it (high service prices/no prices on bikes/etc), but I'm sure some people liked them. I can't imagine why, though. Personally, I see more people flocking to Arsenal due to the sale.
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 21,679
Likes: 22,680
From: North Carolina
It is not a good thing that so many dealerships are owned by the same people. We rode to six dealerships this weekend as part of the annual Carolina Challenge and four were owned by the same guy. The prices were tagged on used bikes were excessive. At one the dealer fee was $660.00 per bike plus freight over MSRP.
Oh well, the times are changing.
Oh well, the times are changing.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 1,465
From: Charleston, SC
I know this is Blasphemy at this Forum, but folks, there ARE some other companies that sell real well-built motorcycles. And THAT is the real challenge that Harley has now. And THAT is also where Jochen's plan has a big hole in it. This isn't the 80's and 90's anymore, and those days aren't coming back either, no matter what tactics Harley tries to use. Limiting production to try to prop up pricing is NOT going to work....FOR ANYBODY. It will **** off the dealers because they can't get enough inventory to sell, in order to make those HUGE payments on their Taj Mahals, as Jamala calls them. IT will **** off the customers because the dealers will HAVE to try to hold those prices, but will eventually still reduce them to get rid of them. People will go to other brands if they feel they are being price-gouged, or they can't find the bike they want because of limited supply.
This only part of the business plan that has a chance to work is the new model plan of the PanAM. But that bike isn't suited for ALL riders. That bike alone will not save Harley going forward. And even still, we are already hearing of issues with it. That isn't good news. Everybody is excited about the PanAm now, and rightfully so. I am happy to see some spark among buyers again. But if this bike has issues like the M8's had, it's going to fail before it even has a chance of getting a foothold. BECAUSE, Jochen also said he was going to DEMAND quality built bikes.If this amounts to another M8 disaster, Jochen's got a problem. In my opinion, Harley's entire future is riding on the PanAm; it's quality, price, and rideability. Harley, don't foul this up!
This only part of the business plan that has a chance to work is the new model plan of the PanAM. But that bike isn't suited for ALL riders. That bike alone will not save Harley going forward. And even still, we are already hearing of issues with it. That isn't good news. Everybody is excited about the PanAm now, and rightfully so. I am happy to see some spark among buyers again. But if this bike has issues like the M8's had, it's going to fail before it even has a chance of getting a foothold. BECAUSE, Jochen also said he was going to DEMAND quality built bikes.If this amounts to another M8 disaster, Jochen's got a problem. In my opinion, Harley's entire future is riding on the PanAm; it's quality, price, and rideability. Harley, don't foul this up!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,183
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From: KMHT KFMY
He own Rockstars in Fort Myers not far away from my winter home.... plus dealerships near the Northern Command Post in NH&MA
I refuse to go into any of their dealerships after a couple of trips to Rockstar.... I felt like I needed a hot shower, disinfectant, and a round of heavy duty antibiotics. Oh and I wanted to burn my clothes too
Bert's Black Widow in Port Charlotte is a little further away but I don't feel like I was violated when I leave the place.
Good lock to all of you that are forced to use them
I refuse to go into any of their dealerships after a couple of trips to Rockstar.... I felt like I needed a hot shower, disinfectant, and a round of heavy duty antibiotics. Oh and I wanted to burn my clothes too
Bert's Black Widow in Port Charlotte is a little further away but I don't feel like I was violated when I leave the place.
Good lock to all of you that are forced to use them
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 2,691
Likes: 9,829
From: Detroit
Now he owns Motown and Motor City in SE Michigan, and a pile of other dealers on the east coast. I don't think I've read anything positive about the dealerships he or his brother own. Not a huge deal for me, as I thought Motor City was horrible to do business with before he bought it (high service prices/no prices on bikes/etc), but I'm sure some people liked them. I can't imagine why, though. Personally, I see more people flocking to Arsenal due to the sale.
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Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
A friend ( Hank ) was at Motor City and has left ... He was at Brighton before it closed ... He was on the fence before the takeover and that pushed him off ... Change is inevitable :<(
