Two Ways the U.S. Government Has Helped Keep Harley-Davidson Alive
By Brett Foote

Things weren't looking great for the iconic company at a couple of points in history.

 

I would add the government contracts during WWII.

 

The gov't picks and chooses who they help.
They came down hard on Gibson guitars (another American icon) I believe during Obama's time, for using rare woods.
The Chinese could flood our market with crap using rare woods, but Gibson would get all hell.

 

Number 1 on the list.

In most case government created the "economic crisis"
Tariffs were due to dumping

 

It it wasn't for Ronald Regan and the tariffs he placed on Japanese bikes in the early 1980's ( 1983 ) Harley was on the verge of going belly up. The tariffs bought Harley time to restructure. Allowing the buy back from AMF, by Willie G, Vaughn Beals and others, coming out the evolution motor, belt final drive, rubber isolation motor mounts, and a five speed gear box.Then came the low rider, soft tail custom, the fat boy, the wide glide to name a few ,major hits that propelled revenue through the roof.That helped save the company. Well made in America is a great read for any Harley enthusiastic..

Makes you wonder what would have happened to Harley in today's leadership environment in our government?

 

I thought that one would be included too.

 

The Tarriffs may or not be as effective as many people think they were. Not discounting you personally, but a fair amount of people love to bring up the tarriffs as a reason awhy HD didnt fade away, but then really dont know or dont care to mention that HD requested the tariff be recinded early. It may have bought them time, but the shift in the market may have already put them on a path to recapturing success before the Tariff was enacted, which let HD quickly boom instead of slowly regrow.
It's an interesting story. But no one can predict history that did or didnt happen.
The tariffs certainly helped.