When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I was out for a ride and decided to stop by the dealership hoping they might have a new CVO on the floor and not only did they not have a CVO but the building was completely empty and all signage gone. Really surprised me because IMO they were a great dealership. Always seemed to have something going on and friendly. Last fall I was looking for a box to ship a fender and fairing to my painter for a winter project. They didn't have any at the time but took my number and told me they would call me when they had similar parts come in. Sure enough about a couple of weeks later I got a call and went to pick them up along with all of the factory packing material. The dealer I bought the bike from didn't even want to bother with it. Hate to see them get the rug pulled out from under them.
HD shut them down. Now story may e longer but in the end that is the simple answer. The larger group type dealers Bitch to CEO about sales. Then asks them to shut down smaller dealers ships so they get the sales. Next thing you know a good dealer is gone.
Owner probably cashed out. Not everyone tries to work themselves into oblivion.
But it sounds better to a few that the evil corporate monsters had a round table and selected them for closure.
Met a few folks over the last couple of years who have done it, and not dealership owners. Multiple companies. I sort of wish I had went that path in lieu of a military career. No regerts tho, just random thoughts. Who knows?
Owner probably cashed out. Not everyone tries to work themselves into oblivion.
But it sounds better to a few that the evil corporate monsters had a round table and selected them for closure.
Met a few folks over the last couple of years who have done it, and not dealership owners. Multiple companies. I sort of wish I had went that path in lieu of a military career. No regerts tho, just random thoughts. Who knows?
Sounds like Smitty nailed it about about the evil corporate monsters. https://powersportsbusiness.com/top-...od-on-june-30/
"Working with the corporate headquarters and other local Harley dealers, the decision was made to close the dealership as a strategic move to optimize the Harley-Davidson market."
"Windy City dealer group has agreed to honor all Heritage H-D gift cards, VIP services and assist in the completion of any outstanding service work and fulfillment of special orders."
"Windy City Motorcycle Company commenced business in 2000 and today is among the largest motorcycle distributors in the U.S. representing five premium OEM brands and operating out of 15 locations in Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin."
wonder how Carlton Harley in Mantua Ohio survived the cuts?
Mantua is a podunk village with more cows than people in the surrounding area
there are 4 or 5(?) big dealerships in a 40 mile radius of Carlton.
..L.T.A.
They will be gone shortly after a much larger dealership in the area or the owners of the group dealerships want the sales.
We they go to the CEO that dealership will e made an offer they can not refuse, Shut it down or sell it to the grouop if they want it ut either way you are done.
They will be gone shortly after a much larger dealership in the area or the owners of the group dealerships want the sales.
We they go to the CEO that dealership will e made an offer they can not refuse, Shut it down or sell it to the grouop if they want it ut either way you are done.
could be, Smitty.
I don't know enough to say one way or another.
But I hope you're wrong
I was out for a ride and decided to stop by the dealership hoping they might have a new CVO on the floor and not only did they not have a CVO but the building was completely empty and all signage gone. Really surprised me because IMO they were a great dealership. Always seemed to have something going on and friendly. Last fall I was looking for a box to ship a fender and fairing to my painter for a winter project. They didn't have any at the time but took my number and told me they would call me when they had similar parts come in. Sure enough about a couple of weeks later I got a call and went to pick them up along with all of the factory packing material. The dealer I bought the bike from didn't even want to bother with it. Hate to see them get the rug pulled out from under them.
It was a good dealer until it was bought by the big HD dealer wanna be from Michigan I believe and caused the turmoil. A lot of good guys worked there and he managed to **** off most of them until they left and then sales plummeted.
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.