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Harley-Davidson CEO Steps Down After Sales Decline Due to ‘Woke’ Policies
Daily Fetched ^ | April 09, 2025 | Jason Walsh

Posted on 04/09/2025 10:17:24 AM PDT by Red Badger

Harley-Davidson CEO Jochen Zeitz is set to step down from the company after years of declining sales, which many have attributed to his woke agenda.

The decades-old, world-famous company confirmed the news in a press release on Tuesday.

Zeitz oversaw the company’s recent sales decline, which ultimately resulted in a rollback of its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies.

Between 2022 and 2024, motorcycle sales dropped in all but one quarter compared to the same quarter from the previous year, according to data from Harley-Davidson Investor Relations, via the Daily Caller.

In August, the company announced it would ditch DEI initiatives and restructure its Business Employee Resource Groups (BERGs).

According to a post on SHRM CEO Action, the company described the BERGs as its “version of affinity groups and networks.”

Three of the BERGs — African American, Latina, and Asian — were labeled with racial or ethnic categories.

The reversal came after activist Robby Starbuck alleged the company “funded an all-ages pride event” that hosted drag queen story time, forced employees to train to be LGBTQ allies, and even dispatched white male employees to a segregated diversity training.

READ: VP JD Vance Issues Inspiring Message to Young Men: ‘We Want You Guys to Thrive’

Starbuck also said that Zeitz put his signature to the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion Pledge.

Zeitz received backlash from the company’s customer base.

“Harley needs to stick with building bikes and leave the wokeness alone,” said Earnest Chapman, a 30-year Harley owner.

Another biker, 56-year-old Nick Randall, said, “I just can’t figure out why he was installed in that role if this is what is happening now,” adding, “They need to figure out a way to get rid of his ass.”

Zeitz appeared hell-bent on pushing his motorcycle company into wokeness, even declaring he would be transitioning their bikes to be all-electric.

He was so focused on environmental policies that he said he earned the moniker “sustainable Taliban” during a talk at the Zermatt Summit Foundation, a public interest group of business and other stakeholders.

Zeitz also slammed President Trump for withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accords in 2017.

“Sadly with this decision the Trump Administration is choosing to turn its back on the rest of the world,” he said.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; History; Military/Veterans; Travel
KEYWORDS: harleydavidson; motorcycles; woke
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To: Sirius Lee
HD is not really a player anymore with anybody under the age of 50. I don’t know how they fix that.

Marketing:



61 posted on 04/09/2025 2:05:47 PM PDT by T.B. Yoits
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To: T.B. Yoits

LOL! And horrifying.


62 posted on 04/09/2025 2:11:19 PM PDT by Sirius Lee ("Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.”)
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To: Sirius Lee
I mean, somebody with actual skills built that.

Maybe they lost a bet?

63 posted on 04/09/2025 2:14:04 PM PDT by T.B. Yoits
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To: T.B. Yoits

We all have choices in life.


64 posted on 04/09/2025 2:17:35 PM PDT by Sirius Lee ("Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.”)
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To: Red Badger

There are other members on the board that still need to go too.


65 posted on 04/09/2025 2:31:54 PM PDT by JoeRender (The left are advocates of morality only when they can use it against enemies political. )
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To: V_TWIN
Yep. My current ride is a 2015 Triumph Tiger Explorer XC. 600 pounds/140 horsepower.

Before that, Triumph Scrambler.


66 posted on 04/09/2025 2:37:59 PM PDT by LouAvul (1 John 2:22: Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist)
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To: LouAvul

Figures.....that explains you ignorance about Harley Davidsons.


67 posted on 04/09/2025 2:51:47 PM PDT by V_TWIN (America...so great even the people that hate it refuse to leave!)
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To: V_TWIN

68 posted on 04/09/2025 3:04:13 PM PDT by LouAvul (1 John 2:22: Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist)
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To: Red Badger

Was wondering when this would happen. Their summer event was a complete disaster, the big gathering I believe in Iowa somewhere...?


69 posted on 04/09/2025 4:18:00 PM PDT by Secret Agent Man (Gone Galt; not averse to Going Bronson.)
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To: Secret Agent Man

HD is becoming known as the old geezer bike........


70 posted on 04/09/2025 4:51:56 PM PDT by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegals are put up in 5 Star hotels....................)
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To: Myrddin

Our local HD dealership are crooked as a snake.......


71 posted on 04/09/2025 4:55:04 PM PDT by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegals are put up in 5 Star hotels....................)
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To: Red Badger

I’m not a biker so I don’t have a dog in this hunt......but for the price of a Harley I expect 4 wheels and a roof.


72 posted on 04/09/2025 7:18:19 PM PDT by Some Fat Guy in L.A. (Still bitterly clinging to rational thought despite its unfashionability)
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To: Some Fat Guy in L.A.

When you buy a HD, you are buying a name. The motorcycle is just there to hang the badge on...................


73 posted on 04/09/2025 7:19:53 PM PDT by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegals are put up in 5 Star hotels....................)
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To: LouAvul

That looks like my old Lincoln Town Car in the back...............


74 posted on 04/09/2025 7:20:58 PM PDT by Red Badger (Homeless veterans camp in the streets while illegals are put up in 5 Star hotels....................)
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To: Red Badger; 230FMJ; 4woodenboats; 6AL-4V; 68 grunt; absolootezer0; AdamSelene235; AJMaXx; ...

Send FReepmail if you want on/off FMH list
The List of Ping Lists

𝔄𝔲𝔣 𝔴𝔢𝔦𝔡𝔢𝔯𝔰𝔢𝔥𝔫, 𝔖𝔠𝔥𝔢𝔦𝔰𝔰𝔨𝔬𝔭𝔣!

75 posted on 04/10/2025 8:36:15 AM PDT by martin_fierro (< |:)~)
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To: Red Badger

Thank the Lord! The crap-weasel never had a clue about HD.


76 posted on 04/10/2025 9:04:07 AM PDT by vpintheak (Screw the ChiComms! America first!)
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To: martin_fierro

I have sucessfully and artfully debadged my 93FXR.


77 posted on 04/10/2025 9:41:44 AM PDT by left that other site (Ask Not What The Left is Doing. Ask What They Are Accusing YOU of Doing.)
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To: LouAvul

I still have a 2010 1050 Tiger that I still ride a lot. Triumphs have been Harley killers for decades.


78 posted on 04/10/2025 11:06:26 AM PDT by Seruzawa ("The Political left is the Garden of Eden of incompetence" - Marx the Smarter (Groucho))
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To: LouAvul
I almost bought a new Thruxton just before the WuFlu. Test rode it. I thought it was a nice bike. Handled well. Ended up with another Ducati instead, but check the pages for a used Thrux in decent condition now and then.

In fact, I think I'll look now...

79 posted on 04/10/2025 11:16:57 AM PDT by Sirius Lee ("Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.”)
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To: martin_fierro
Harley has destroyed themselves, and continues to embarrass the US.

Ford understands motorsports and is IN THE FIGHT! Watch "Ford versus Ferrari" if you'd like to see how.

Dodge is in the fight...Just look at the Hellcat!

Chevy is in the fight...Just look at the new Stingray!

Nascar is in the fight...look what one team with a Camaro did in the 24 hours of Lemans!

Think Nascar fans would be as loyal if the cars could still only go 120 MPH and pull 3/4 Gs? Any Harley riders care to argue that riding hogs is more American than Nascar?

After 4 decades of hooliganism I've ridden, raced, bought and sold them all. I love V-Twin power and torque, and that's why I own possibly the highest performance V-Twin in the world. The FLAGSHIP bike that Harley and the Country that built the F22 SHOULD HAVE BUILT...the bike that set the Pike's Peak motorcycle world record.

KTM 1290 Superduke

Like Ford, Chevy, Dodge, Nascar and Boeing, US motorcycles should be going to other countries and kicking their asses, not the other way around.

Harley VROD...115 HP...84 Ft-Lb Torque...677 Lb...~$20k

KTM Superduke 1290...180 HP...103 Ft-Lb Torque...396 Lb... ~$20k.

This woke crap is the straw that broke the camel's back.

80 posted on 04/10/2025 12:15:45 PM PDT by SENTINEL (Kneel down to God. Stand up to tyrants. STICK TO YOUR GUNS !)
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