Harley & Chevrolet – Two American Companies Preparing for the Next Generation
Every new generation of human beings brings new challenges to entire markets, industries, and therefore, companies. While consumer behavior has historically changed every 10 to 15 years, the tech advancements of social media, the internet, and other modern trends have changed that figure to something around three years or so.
A company that knows exactly what I’m talking about is Harley-Davidson. 15 years ago Harley began never-ending campaign to chase the youth. I’m nearly 30-years old, and my parents and grandparents know everything there is to know about Harley, and what it means to own one. But consumer trends were highly different for me, and even more for my kids. The biggest mistake Harley could make, is allow the hardcore fan base (now in their eighties) to die off and not have any fresh souls to replace them with.
Does that sound familiar, Chevrolet? Absolutely it does. Take the Corvette. An American icon, a speed machine that our veterans dreamed of owning upon returning from the war. But for the last few generations (excluding the Stingray), it’s been nothing but a bloated showboat for bald men 65 and up. Coincidence? I think not..
Harley’s water-cooled and overhead-cam engined V-Rod was the answer to attract young buyers. The stylish Night Rod with its sleek details and performance, and claiming that Porsche was involved in the engine design was what Harley needed to cater to a new set of eyes and wallets. Perhaps that’s what Chevy is doing with its new mid-engined Corvette, because according to various sources, it’s really happening.
Such move by Chevrolet in Detroit would be as equally radical as Harley’s in Milwaukee. But can you blame them? Absolutely not. Trends change, markets change, money spending habits change, and yes, even brand loyalty does. Specially when the competition eats, breaths and sleeps market share.
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Story via: [AN]
