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Harley-Davidson CEO compares himself to 'Taliban' in effort to remake motorcycle brand
FoxNews ^ | 8-17-24 | Kerry J. Byrne

Posted on 08/17/2024 4:44:13 PM PDT by bimboeruption

The Harley-Davidson motorcycle brand and business model are being "attacked" from within, social-media influencer Robby Starbuck suggested in a new post on X.

He cited the words of the company's own CEO, Jochen Zeitz, who's been accused of going woke as he oversees the iconic brand. The German-born Zeitz took over as CEO in May 2020.

"Imagine standing in front of CEOs of luxury brands that now think you are the ‘sustainable Taliban,’ as somebody once called me," Zeitz said in a speech at the Zermatt Summit in Switzerland in 2020, referencing his time as board member of Kiering, parent company of Gucci, Puma and Stella McCartney.

A few minutes later in the same speech, Zeitz referenced the terror group again, as shown in the video that Starbuck shared this week.

"Of course, Harley’s all about the sound and the smell of the Harley-Davidson, isn’t it?" Zeitz said to attendees at the chic Swiss conference.

"So I became the Taliban again in a sustainable way," Zeitz said in the video, as he's shown smiling and walking back and forth on stage and referencing Harley-Davidson.

"I decided to share, to create a sustainability committee, which I'm still chairing today."

Starbuck, along with his social media followers and many longtime Harley-Davidson riders, were shocked by the CEO's glib comparison to a terror group that has American blood on its hands.

"I think it's f------ disgusting," motorcycling media mogul James "Hollywood" Macecari told Fox News Digital upon hearing the comparison.

The Taliban is the globally condemned terrorist group that rules Afghanistan. It offered a home base for Osama bin Laden and his Al-Qaeda terror network before and after it plotted its Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks on the United States.

(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: harley; moron; motorcycle; taliban; zeitz
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To: bimboeruption

41 posted on 08/17/2024 5:59:42 PM PDT by BipolarBob (I heard what you did for a Klondike bar. . . . . (call me))
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To: JoSixChip
"This is worse then when AMC bought out Harley Davidson."

Not AMC, AMF, and AMF saved H-D. It was AMF that prototyped the Evolution engine. It didn't get in production models until , and the Evo saved Harley.

42 posted on 08/17/2024 6:08:31 PM PDT by Paal Gulli
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To: Kudsman
I would imagine the bikers voices are being heard. This isn't happening in a vacuum.

Their purchasing power provides the stockholders money and they're saying they're not going to spend theirs.
That frightens stockholders and they're already worried about the stock price drops.

JMO, YMMV

43 posted on 08/17/2024 6:08:48 PM PDT by philman_36 (Pride breakfasted with plenty, dined with poverty and supped with infamy. Benjamin Franklin)
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To: bimboeruption
From the article: "So I became the Taliban again in a sustainable way," Zeitz said.

Sounds like German-born Jochen Zeitz, the CEO of Harley-Davidson, wishes he was a Taliban goat. He'll come out of the closet soon enough.

44 posted on 08/17/2024 6:09:59 PM PDT by T.B. Yoits
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To: doorgunner69
South Park Fags
45 posted on 08/17/2024 6:12:46 PM PDT by Kudsman (Stop the steal 24: Vote early)
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To: JoSixChip

It was AMF. American Machine & Foundry.


46 posted on 08/17/2024 6:42:36 PM PDT by hdbc
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To: bimboeruption

if one ‘remakes the brand’ then they DESTROY the Brand!


47 posted on 08/17/2024 7:08:15 PM PDT by Bob434
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To: bimboeruption

WTF, everyone gonna start riding Honda’s. Oh well, I won’t feel bad anymore about not paying up for the parts at the Harley store.


48 posted on 08/17/2024 7:21:46 PM PDT by TBall
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To: BipolarBob

Now that’s an object of beauty.


49 posted on 08/17/2024 8:18:02 PM PDT by bimboeruption (“Less propaganda would be appreciated.” JimRob 12-2-2023)
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To: bimboeruption

Geez muzzies everywhere;-)


50 posted on 08/17/2024 8:19:21 PM PDT by Harpotoo (Being a socialist is a lot easier than having to WORK like the rest of US:-))
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To: bimboeruption

So is my 2017 Scout. 56K on the odometer - 50K is mine. If I had more discretionary funds I’d add a Chief to the stable. Rode one at a demo day last year and it felt good.

My only complaint is not enough dealers. But it’s central Kentucky. No brand really has a lot of dealerships.

I have nothing against Harley, I just can’t find them interesting. Rode a few, 883 and sportster. Not my cup of tea.


51 posted on 08/17/2024 8:19:25 PM PDT by ChildOfThe60s ("If you can remember the 60s....you weren't really there")
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To: bimboeruption

When Germans are bad, they are awful. Michael Spindler (German) almost destroyed Apple, along with Gil Amelio (Frenchie).


52 posted on 08/17/2024 8:31:31 PM PDT by Dr. Sivana ("Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye." (John 2:5))
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To: bimboeruption

I think that man is unbalanced.


53 posted on 08/17/2024 8:33:58 PM PDT by Gaffer
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To: Gaffer

Then he will tip over. If there is any justice in the world.


54 posted on 08/17/2024 8:38:55 PM PDT by Kudsman (Stop the steal 24: Vote early)
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To: bimboeruption
Forget the fat 850+ pound bloated street bike boats. Considering todays unstable events, from a former Harley owner, I recommend getting something real cheap to operate, cheap to insure, and goes just about anywhere on or off road and are as reliable as a sledgehammer. A lightweight dual-sport!

The best part you can have fun and still be ready for war, social break down, economic collapse, asteroid impact, earthquake, whatever. Way more fun to riding some heavy 900 pound fat assed gay parade float around town.


55 posted on 08/17/2024 9:27:43 PM PDT by dragnet2 (Diversion and evasion are tools of deceit)
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To: hoagy62

“So I became the Taliban again in a sustainable way,” Zeitz said...

That makes no sense. The Taliban are mass murderers.


56 posted on 08/17/2024 9:52:12 PM PDT by minnesota_bound (Need more money to buy everything now)
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To: left that other site

Wherever you park it. Everyone will know its a Harley by the big puddle under it.


57 posted on 08/18/2024 5:17:51 AM PDT by Thomas Jerome
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To: Thomas Jerome

That was unkind of you.

Blue doesn’t leak. She’s not from the AMF era, which is probably what you are referring to.

Just For The Record, there were over 300,000 Harleys every year in DC for Rolling Thunder, (I attended nine consecutive ones) and I don’t ever remember hearing of the need for a massive cleanup of the Pentegon Parking Lot after it was used as a staging area.

Mock the company all you want. But please don’t disrespect a fellow FReeper’s Bike.

Remember the words of President Ronald Reagan, paraphrased for this situation:

I didn’t leave Harley-Davidson. Harley-Davidson left ME.

I mean that sincerely.


58 posted on 08/18/2024 5:31:53 AM PDT by left that other site ("Providence" ain't just a city in Rhode Island.)
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To: Thomas Jerome

Ah. I see your sign-up date.

That explains it.


59 posted on 08/18/2024 5:33:25 AM PDT by left that other site ("Providence" ain't just a city in Rhode Island.)
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To: left that other site

I didn’t mean to insult. I remember in the 70s there was a lot of talk about Harleys and oil leaks. My sister had a Fat Boy and rode all over the place. She put over 100000 miles on it. I don’t think my Yamaha would ever go that far. It is a shame that companies have gone down the tubes. Have a good day. Ignore the sign up date. I have been on this forum since it started.


60 posted on 08/18/2024 7:05:36 AM PDT by Thomas Jerome
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