5 Interesting Facts from Harley-Davidson’s Annual Report - Page 2

Trip · 03-04-2011, 12:31 PM

HD will find itself in a different market in a few decades. Sorry GM, you live in a bubble. The rest of the country doesn't care about the "American" brand like you Michigan people do. That's ya'll shit. In Tennessee, we build VWs, Toyotas, and a lot of other "imports." These are more American to us than your Michigan built Fords, because they put food on our tables and our region benefits from them.

I doubt the cult will ever put HD in a spot where they have to close, but I see it shrinking as the boomers start dying off.

Homeslice · 03-04-2011, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hydrant

Despite the moaning and groaning from the Bar & Shield loyal about Wandell’s non-motorcycle riding lifestyle,

Typical for car and bike companies to hire senior leadership from non-automotive companies. It's a sign they don't think it's necessary to have people in place who actually understand the product. Mega fail.

HD's only hope is with smaller bikes. Sorry but full-dress cruisers are a dying market. Only middle-aged white men buy them, and white people are declining.

goof2 · 03-04-2011, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trip

HD will find itself in a different market in a few decades. Sorry GM, you live in a bubble. The rest of the country doesn't care about the "American" brand like you Michigan people do. That's ya'll shit. In Tennessee, we build VWs, Toyotas, and a lot of other "imports." These are more American to us than your Michigan built Fords, because they put food on our tables and our region benefits from them.

I doubt the cult will ever put HD in a spot where they have to close, but I see it shrinking as the boomers start dying off.

That is also why you will continue to see HD doing things like building that factory in, if I'm remembering correctly, India. There is a lot of uncertainty about the American market while in places like India and China there seems to be more sustained interest in American nostalgia combined with a steadily increasing number of people over there who can afford it.

Hydrant · 03-04-2011, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brandon

you'd look good on a Harley Geoff.

Thanks.

I won't lie, it has crossed my mind to get a cruiser (probably wouldn't be a HD) of some sort just for cruising around. I'd keep the TL.

Trip · 03-04-2011, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goof2

That is also why you will continue to see HD doing things like building that factory in, if I'm remembering correctly, India. There is a lot of uncertainty about the American market while in places like India and China there seems to be more sustained interest in American nostalgia combined with a steadily increasing number of people over there who can afford it.

Yeah, HD will definitely need to go outside the US to keep it's market share.

Dave · 03-04-2011, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trip

Yeah, HD will definitely need to go outside the US to keep it's market share.

As would any potential new american motorcycle company.

Trip · 03-04-2011, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave

As would any potential new american motorcycle company.

Do we really need one. I am fine with what we have to choose from in the foreign market.

marko138 · 03-04-2011, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trip

Do we really need one. I am fine with what we have to choose from in the foreign market.

Not everyone wants a foreign bike.

Trip · 03-04-2011, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marko138

Not everyone wants a foreign bike.

Want and Need are two very different things. We don't need one, we have plenty of options without any more brands on the market. Where it is built won't effect most people's decision, it wouldn't even be a consideration for me.

marko138 · 03-04-2011, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trip

Want and Need are two very different things. We don't need one, we have plenty of options without any more brands on the market. Where it is built won't effect most people's decision, it wouldn't even be a consideration for me.

Foreign bikes aren't a consideration for me.

03-04-2011, 12:31 PM	#11
Trip Hold mah beer! Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: 80 Miles South of Moto Heaven Moto: 08 R1200GS Posts: 23,268	HD will find itself in a different market in a few decades. Sorry GM, you live in a bubble. The rest of the country doesn't care about the "American" brand like you Michigan people do. That's ya'll shit. In Tennessee, we build VWs, Toyotas, and a lot of other "imports." These are more American to us than your Michigan built Fords, because they put food on our tables and our region benefits from them. I doubt the cult will ever put HD in a spot where they have to close, but I see it shrinking as the boomers start dying off.