Harley-Davidson motorcycles get clobbered by the “crunch”
To find the beast deals in Motorcycle JacketsPosted Under: Harley Davidson Motorcycles
Harley-Davidson is laying off 1100 of its staff after posting a 58% loss in profits in its recently published reports
All smiles. But how long will Harley Davidson last this recession?
In the US, sales of the firm’s motorcycles have fallen by 13.1% in the third quarter of the financial year. Amazingly, sales of Harley Davidson motorcycles in Europe and the UK have actually risen by 3% in the same period!
The Milwaukee based motorcycle manufacturer plans to cut production by up to 13% in 2009, losing around 12% of its workers over the next two years.
As part of the cutbacks, H-D plans to merge a number of engine and transmission plants, and close its US parts and accessories distribution centre, farming out the distribution side of its business.
H-D’s chief executive, Jim Ziemer, had this to say about Harley’s current predicament:
“We reduced our production levels in 2008, and we’re going to show similar discipline in 2009. Among other things, the Harley-Davidson brand stands for strength and resilience, and we’re managing the business in this economic climate in ways that we believe will build long-term value into the brand.”
Amazing to think that even given the global nature of the credit crunch, more Harley Davidson motorcycles were sold in Europe in 2008 than the year before…
