Posted on 06/25/2018 2:44:10 PM PDT by reaganaut1
Harley-Davidson, the American motorcycle manufacturer, said on Monday that it would shift some production of its iconic bikes overseas to avoid retaliatory tariffs imposed by the European Union in response to President Trump’s trade moves.
The decision, announced in a public filing, is the latest and most high-profile example of how Mr. Trump’s trade war is beginning to ripple through the United States economy as domestic companies begin struggling with a cascade of tariffs both here and abroad. While Mr. Trump says his trade policy is aimed at reviving domestic manufacturing, Harley-Davidson’s decision shows how the administration’s moves could have the unintended effect of reducing employment and economic growth in the United States.
Last week, the European Union hit back against Mr. Trump’s steel and aluminum tariffs with penalties on $3.2 billion worth of American products, including bourbon, orange juice, playing cards and Harley-Davidsons. On Monday, the Wisconsin-based company said that European tariffs on its motorcycles had increased to 31 percent from 6 percent and estimated that would add about $2,200, on average, to every motorcycle exported from the United States to the bloc.
Rather than pass that cost along, the company said it would shift production to its overseas facilities to avoid the European Union tariffs.
“Harley-Davidson believes the tremendous cost increase, if passed on to its dealers and retail customers, would have an immediate and lasting detrimental impact to its business in the region, reducing customer access to Harley-Davidson products and negatively impacting the sustainability of its dealers’ businesses,” the company said in the filing.
Harley’s decision carries huge significance given Mr. Trump’s frequent championing of the Wisconsin company as an American icon and a successful American manufacturer that is creating jobs in the United States.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Wasn’t that sort of the point of the Buell and VRod?
Bingo.
HD`s business model is geared (pun-pun) for baby boomers and big fat lumbering bikes over 600cc., a myopic joke.
They went bankrupt before and they will again.
Their Q1 for 2018 came out and WW sales are down over 7%
Nothing against HD but they are not that popular today. Youngers got other choices.
Do you ever make a post without calling someone an “idiot”.
It’s a pretty poor way to convince anyone on the substance of your argument.
I was in Fort Washington Harley Davidson dealership two Saturdays ago. 5 years ago the place would be packed in the middle the afternoon. The place was totally empty. Harley is going on there and that’s a fact. Same mistake is Gibson. Trying to make it a lifestyle BS thing. Too many coffee mugs, pencil holders, T-shirts, etc. instead of paying attention to their main business
Meant to say Harley is going under slowly but surely
“Wasn’t that sort of the point of the Buell and VRod?”
I guess so. I’m not sure why Harley bought Buell. But, whatever the reason, it was a bad one. The V-Rod is out of production now as well. Seems to me it was the wrong product for the market Harley was wanting to enter. Sadly, the V-Rod just couldn’t run with the Japanese bikes. In order to sell to the performance market you gotta win races. Kinda like in the NASCAR old days, “win on Sunday sell on Monday”. Apparently this mentality is still alive and well in the performance bike world.
reaganaut1 is a classic, he posts then runs. Never staying around to defend his little poop post.
You are a criminal and twice again have violated federal law against false claims of a trade mark. Having a weak untenable position is no excuse for violating the law.
Such an effort is positively progressive in naturel
Laws are relative. Ask the FBI.
I’ve owned Harley’s and Japanese bikes. I prefer the rice burners. HD’s only real chance to be competitive is to let Trump even the playing field for all motorcycle manufacturers. If they can’t compete they get better or close. Of all companies these guys need to be on the Trump Train. I don’t know a single HD owner who is not a card carrying Trumpist.
“Laws are relative. Ask the FBI.”
Heh, could also be: “Laws? We FBI ease cost weinies don’t need no stinkin’ laws. We gots kollege degreez.”
Nonsense, Harley-Davidson would not even exist but for Reagan’s tariff. They repay America by giving us the finger. Harley made a big deal about being American Iron, Etc. Now they’re just becoming another rice burner. Back to the Glory Days of AMF. Harley should review the term New Coke
Used as an excuse. If you business is that fragile in a very large market like North America then you will fail when you move overseas.
So, I guess the managers at Harley are idiots too? Just like mine ?
Smart managers, I guess, would just accept lower sales and margins, to save jobs here?
They are the very definition of hypocrites, as they were all for tariffs when if was their company that was literally being saved when Reagan enacted tariffs. I would never buy a Harley now.
I’m going to make an observation here. A lot of people here think that all bikers support trump but I know a lot of bikers who dislike him! Perhaps there’s a little bit of hate deep down in the hearts of Harley Davidson headquarters CEO’s towards Trump! You never know but actions do talk louder than words!
HD needs new markets. Like HD powered wheelchairs.
Time for DOMESTIC steel and aluminum producers to ACCELERATE their investment in new capacity.
Never cared for Harley Davidson bikes or liked the sound of the big V-twin.
More of a Kawasaki Ninja 1000R type.
Smooth, beyond fast, handled like a dream, and I put 80,000 miles on that bike in 6 years. When it was done, I had it hauled off as junk with no regrets.
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