Posted on 07/25/2018 7:03:56 AM PDT by Red Badger
When the President of the United States is an incredibly powerful and successful businessman, there literally is nowhere to hide for companies choosing to invest their resources outside of our great nation.
What President Trump lacks in political experience, he more than makes up for in business acumen, and he has brought that incredible and extraordinarily unique spin to the Oval Office with him. Originally coined the “Trump Effect”, the fact that the President is one of modern history’s most consummate and prosperous real estate developers has propelled our American economy forward in ways that we could only dream about under democratic rule.
And it’s not only a boost for those companies choosing to engage with the American workforce either. Companies who defy the United States’ ingenuity are finding themselves suffering as well.
Harley-Davidson said Tuesday that international sales of its motorcycles grew while domestic sales decreased in the second quarter, after the company angered President Trump by announcing it would shift some U.S. production overseas in response to his trade agenda.
The Milwaukee-based company reported that motorcycle sales in the U.S. dropped 6.4 percent to 46,490 for the quarter that ended on June 30, while international sales rose 0.7 percent to nearly 31,938. European sales grew 3.6 percent and Latin American sales grew 9.1 percent, while sales in Asia dropped 7.1 percent.
Total revenue dropped slightly to $1.53 billion for the quarter, as overall motorcycle sales dropped 4 percent. Net income dropped 6.3 percent to $242 million.
The Americana-centric brand’s announcement about the exporting of production irked not only the President, but a great many Americans who saw the move as downright treachery.
If Harley Davidson believes that they can simply turn this around, after offending the American people so thoroughly, they ought to have a long conversation with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and ask him how that’s going for him.
Is Indian one of those considered a serious competitor to HD? I asked because my son-in-law is considering a bike purchase (used or new) in 2019.
Our HD dealer has DOZENS of ‘Black Chrome’ bikes he cant sell.
They all look like they were painted with a spray can of flat black Rustoleum grill paint........
Yes,..................
Correct, thanks............
Actions have consequences. Shame on Harley-Davidson.
Dropping out of TPP left them liable for tariffs. That's why they're shifting manufacturing to Thailand as well. Harley has a host of problems but one thing is sure. Manufacturing bikes here for foreign markets makes no sense because of the tariffs levied on them. Harley's best chance for growth is still overseas. They may well go out of business anyway. But without overseas markets that death will come sooner rather than later.
It’s not a “Trump curse” - it’s called you abandoned our country in order to make some bean counter happy by making your crap overseas - and the American people said “screw you. We’ll ride OTHER motorcycles, losers.”
Good thing.
Now if we could only figure out a way to get Hollywood out of the country...
That is true, but they ain’t stupid..................
The local Harley dealer is next to the gun range that I frequent. I am always shocked at the number of new bikes in their inventory. They spend hours every day just moving them around to open and close.
True, but overseas markets already have Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki, BMW, Benelli, MotoGuzzi, etc.
Same here...............
Snortin’
;D
Actually, the growth trend over in Europe and the sluggish demand in US was already a feature well before H-D decided to move production overseas. And that overseas move itself was a result of this trend, not because of Trump’s tariffs. When H-D claims that the tariffs are the reason, they are being disingenuous.
Of course, this article riffing on this years-long trend as if it just started appears to be blatant pro-Trump propaganda.
Considering that the vast majority of bikers voted for Trump, HD must have lost their freaking minds.
HD has been in financial trouble for quite a while.
Their bikes are ‘old school’ and their customer base is shrinking.
They have modernized to an extent, but not enough.........
Nearly 100 years ago, HD made the best, the fastest , and most tecnically advanced bikes in the world. For decades now, they haven’t.
Lots of other choices out there.
Some company should make a standard model for tall (6ft+) riders.
Went to the Indian Dealer in Pensacola back in the Spring. It was crowded.
The HD Dealer was across the street. Nobody there...............
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