[Richard230]

Here is the latest news regarding H-D's financial troubles: 
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/harley-davidsons-rewire-plan-starts-195629590.html

[olhogrider]

Here is the latest news regarding H-D's financial troubles: 
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/harley-davidsons-rewire-plan-starts-195629590.html

Looks like a whole lot of hype about restructuring. And we'll tell you about it in the fourth quarter. Maybe.

[GlennF]

Somewhat contradictory article which states
"Harley-Davidson has seen its sales drop in recent years in the U.S., its largest market, as its core Baby Boomer customers have gotten older. "

Followed by the later comment
" ... the key elements of its restructuring plan were to enhance core strengths and better balance expansion into new spaces, prioritize the markets that matter ... "

Sounds like corporate double speak for - "even though our core market is declining we are going to enhance our strength in that declining market (presumably so as not to upset the current core market) whilst dipping our toes tentatively into other areas "

They are stuck between a rock and a hard place. if they carry on catering to the current core market they will fail in the longterm as they are all about to cark it ... BUT ... if they upset their current core market by diversifying they will fail even faster. They have painted themselves into a corner that is going to need fancy footwork to get out around.

[Richard230]

Somewhat contradictory article which states
"Harley-Davidson has seen its sales drop in recent years in the U.S., its largest market, as its core Baby Boomer customers have gotten older. "

Followed by the later comment
" ... the key elements of its restructuring plan were to enhance core strengths and better balance expansion into new spaces, prioritize the markets that matter ... "

Sounds like corporate double speak for - "even though our core market is declining we are going to enhance our strength in that declining market (presumably so as not to upset the current core market) whilst dipping our toes tentatively into other areas "

They are stuck between a rock and a hard place. if they carry on catering to the current core market they will fail in the longterm as they are all about to cark it ... BUT ... if they upset their current core market by diversifying they will fail even faster. They have painted themselves into a corner that is going to need fancy footwork to get out around.

Fancy footwork is what CEOs are hired to do. And if their spin doesn't work with the stockholders, they go out the door and a new one is brought in. Hope springs eternal.    But you are right about H-D, they just don't know how to change horses in midstream. 

[Arschloch]

IMO Trump is doing them a favor kicking them around a bit. Who would want to kickstart that good old lady, unlikely moving production from one place to another alone is going to get them out of the corner they are in.

[Richard230]

And here is more Rewired news from H-D.  It looks like 700 employees got the heave-ho: 
https://www.motorcycle.com/features/harley-davidson-provides-update-on-rewire-new-hardwire-plan-coming-in-q4.html

[cyrusb]

Damn shame, but I thought them gone in 1978. This is just the natural order of things. If it has a beginning it has an end. American Motors, Studebaker, Packard, Indian,Pope,Henderson etc.The list is a mile long.

[Arschloch]

Indian is back with an quite adequate product portfolio.

I've never heard of the Pope motorcycles before, If someone were to revive that brand and put en electric motor in it maybe it could catch on in these times. 

[cyrusb]

Indian is back with an quite adequate product portfolio.

Indian Motorcycles  1901-1953. Hendee Manufacturing Springfield Mass. Those Indians.

[Richard230]

Anyone for a small Chinese-made H-D motorcycle? 
https://www.motorcycle.com/mini-features/behold-the-harley-davidson-hd350-benelli-350s-qianjiang-qj350.html

[Bilgemaster]

I'm TRYING to care and like it...Really I am.

   
"...and one point to Hufflepuff!"

[Adrian II]

Why waste time trying? It might run sweet as a nut but it's just another ugly modern bike. Mahindra have the right idea with their Jawa 42. Perhaps HD should look at reviving the Aermacchi 350?



https://i.pinimg.com/736x/85/a7/03/85a70331f0ac3b1054efcd19327da5a8.jpg

A.

[Arschloch]

Mahindra was bit penny pinching on the Jawa engine though. I really would love to see that Jawa as a twin 500 with a shaft driven valve train not just decorative ribs on an waterjacketed engine. Still more interesting than the Chinese HD. If you look at he Aermacchi everything serves some kind of purpose, even the cooling finns. 

[Richard230]

Can anyone think of a single H-D established company purchase that worked out for them? Over the years they have invested in a number of motorcycle companies, especially Italian brands and I can't think of one purchase that ever made a profit for them.  And they really got their nuts squeezed when they bought and then gave away MV. (Or was it Bimota? I tend to get confused by H-D's business decisions). 

[GlennF]

  And they really got their nuts squeezed when they bought and then gave away MV. (Or was it Bimota? I tend to get confused by H-D's business decisions). 

It was MV Augusta. It has changed hands again a few times since but is still around and even turned a profit a few years back for a bit.

Apparently it is now run by a Millennial Russian millionaire who had big plans for new models in 2020/2021 but Northern Italy's run in with Covid19 might have stuck a spanner in the spokes of that little wagon, remains to be seen.