CNN/Money: Harley's amazing downhill ride...
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,476
Likes: 5
From: Republic of Texas
I got that, but it is still a reminder of where things were and are. Still a sad note of where the economy went and to what it is right now. This down turn represents real people and suffering with several companies still struggling. Hd should survive but business is changed. Not necessarily for the good. Survival mode is not what I personally like to see. I prefer production wide open and people waiting on delivery.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 11
From: Palm Harbor fl.
It's tough for people right now to recover and have discretionary income for toys. Once again the economy will go up and things will look better for all....H-D will survive this no problem, they will learn from mistakes till the next generation of greedy **** takes over and repeats the same mistakes that cause the economic downfall once again.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
That is still not the full story. HD's sales drop was the smallest of any motorcycle company. The last 1/4 loss was due to the restructuring costs.
They are still is a good position to turn a profit in 2010.
Dumping Buell was costly and I disagreed with it, but it will be best for them to stick with cruisers for a couple years. But at some point they must offer a sport bike.
The biggest decline in sales for 09 was the sport bike market as it was younger buyers that faced more than average job losses than the older riders who are into cruisers and baggers.
Just look at the sales of the Ultra Classic Limited. Moving out the door fast.
They are still is a good position to turn a profit in 2010.
Dumping Buell was costly and I disagreed with it, but it will be best for them to stick with cruisers for a couple years. But at some point they must offer a sport bike.
The biggest decline in sales for 09 was the sport bike market as it was younger buyers that faced more than average job losses than the older riders who are into cruisers and baggers.
Just look at the sales of the Ultra Classic Limited. Moving out the door fast.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 263
Likes: 0
From: atlanta ga.
nobody ever talks about the nationwide trend that HD fell into with their showrooms. i remember when the local harley dealerships were run out of quaint, sometimes run down buildings. for the last ten years they have been housed in the buisiness version of a macmansion. think about it: hd was just as careless with their "image building" spending as so many others were. you think these dealerships aren't wishing they were paying the lease on a simpler space right about now?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 21,949
Likes: 6
From: My house
The dealers have done very well until the bottom fell out so to speak,,, really HD was trying to get the dealers closer to the freeways and higher traffic areas,,, trust me the dealers did very well up to that point, and travelers could just about find a HD dealer fairly easy anywhere on their trips in the U.S.. The financial strong dealers will survive and the weak will fall,,, unfortunate but that's what is going to happen in all aspects of business and personal finances across the U.S.,,,,, the market will stabilize at some point good or bad, we just have to ride it out,,, what else can we do.
nobody ever talks about the nationwide trend that HD fell into with their showrooms. i remember when the local harley dealerships were run out of quaint, sometimes run down buildings. for the last ten years they have been housed in the buisiness version of a macmansion. think about it: hd was just as careless with their "image building" spending as so many others were. you think these dealerships aren't wishing they were paying the lease on a simpler space right about now?
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 6,682
Likes: 12
nobody ever talks about the nationwide trend that HD fell into with their showrooms. i remember when the local harley dealerships were run out of quaint, sometimes run down buildings. for the last ten years they have been housed in the buisiness version of a macmansion. think about it: hd was just as careless with their "image building" spending as so many others were. you think these dealerships aren't wishing they were paying the lease on a simpler space right about now?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,932
Likes: 32
From: Broomfield, CO
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,171
Likes: 1
From: SE Michigan
You have to read the entire article carefully to see how GOOD a thing this was for HD - they cut the cost of their debt over 60%. They were paying 15%, now it's 5.75% - which will save ~ $35 million in interest this year
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,352
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From: Keene, CA
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,951
Likes: 6
From: Kingman, AZ
But to HD itself........they will survive unless we see a mega-collapse in which case motorcycles or anything like that would be the least of our worries.