Posted on 06/26/2018 6:42:31 AM PDT by Poison Pill
When I was a youth the guys were restoring and collecting Model T’s. Nobody does that now.
Then everyone wanted an old 57 Chevy. Nobody now.
Muscle cars were the big deal, not as much now.
Then there was the phase here everyone had to be a phony badass and drive a Harley on the weekends. That phase is gone, too.
For me, The new technology makes newer better. The old cars were great then but can’t compete now. For me, old only has value if it’s still better, like an old violin, guitar, etc.
It’s an American manufacturer whose marketing is making American bikes for Americans.
They are not run particularly well, and since Sons of Anarchy left, they are not selling as well as they should.
Add to that the fact that high-soy diet we’ve been feeding boys in the last twenty years has had roughly the same effect as anabolic steriods on testicular diameter. The result is fewer bikes sold.
Competitor’s have taken note of Harley’s slovenly marketing and poorly run operations and eaten Harley’s lunch.
All 45 is doing is stating to Harley, “This isn’t the Bush WH. You move overseas and you are no longer a US company, regardless of your roots. I’ll treat you like a foreign country until trade becomes fair.”
Anyone holding Harley shares hasn’t been paying attention.
I am sure the EU’s tariff and this announcement by HD was a coordinated attack.
If you are fat you have two choices, go on a diet or buy a Harley-D.
HD has always been slow in winding it’s technological calendar. As a result, it’s product quality has always suffered, and it has always relied on the “American made” label to make up the difference. Now they are suffering because their customer base in the US is growing old and dying, and they haven’t done much to appeal to the younger crowd. If you want to see who is really giving Harley the blues, check out the new Indians.
As you have noted, Americans don't want them
Trump's threat to tax the bikes when shipped back here is misplaced. The bikes won't be coming back here. The European made bikes will be for Europe and the Thai made bikes will be for SE Asia.
I owned a few Harley years ago. Most were late 1980’s models. I remember a lot of the OEM parts, even back then, were stamped made in China or Japan.
Probably no such thing as an American made Harley unless you go way, way back. Assembled in the USA is more accurate.
That’s a marketing problem. Harley picked up competitors that are out ‘renegading’ them in the motorcycle LIFESTYLE market (who told you Harley is selling motorcycles?)
I question whether Asians want the big ol’ Electro Glide “Hawgs”, either. For basic transportation about 150cc is all the power they need or want. Possibly less than that.
Point noted.
However, here is a blurb from a post on ThrottleX from July 2014:
“Technically speaking, Harley-Davidson motorcycles sold in the United States are not actually made here, but assembled here. Harley contracts manufacturing of parts to plants located all over the world, including Germany, Italy, Taiwan, Japan, and Mexico. Those parts are then shipped to Harley factories here. And these are not just accessories, but components for engines, chassis, and wheels. Exactly what percentage of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle is American made, is not exactly known, as each model and model year is different.”
Perhaps the more accurate statement should have been HDs sold in the USA are assembled in the USA of foreign made parts
He will save us from those awful free markets!
Why should Harley get a pass?
Harley should tread lightly here. They are very much on the verge of dropping off of the radar as is.
Most Harley riders are older retirees any more. It is very rare to see anyone below the age of 40 on one. Worse, most Harley’s in people’s possession these days are used bikes. There’s a huge market for used bikes because old people see their friends on them and go out and buy one, but then find they really aren’t into it as much as they thought they were. After a year or two sitting dormant in the garage, the bike then goes on the market along with the rest.
Harley certainly doesn’t need any more headwinds than their aging, fickle customer base has given them already.
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