This just blows my mind:
"After telling investors in early 2022 that LiveWire would sell...
7,236 motorcycles in 2023
15,736 in 2024
53,341 in 2025
100,961 in 2026
the LiveWire group was forced to cut those projections drastically.
Now, LiveWire says its 2024 projections anticipate sales of between 1,000 and 1,500 electric motorcycles."

How in the world did Harley-Davidson come up with these sales projections?!
I'll be the first to admit that I have absolutely no idea or training (I was a history/religion student in college) how to run a small business, much less a big one like H-D.
However, a sales projection of over 100,000 LiveWire sales in 2026... WTH?!

https://www.advrider.com/livewires-q...ncials-fizzle/

 

Time for them to fold it up and move on to something else. Trying to sell a product that folks don't want is a poor business model.

 

I've witnessed my local dealership sell 4 of them in the last couple weeks.

 

I have never ridden an electric motorcycle but even riding my golf cart around the neighborhood, even with new batteries and the fact I have never ran low of battery power in many years. ( I don't drive far and I keep new charged batteries in my cart)
I do still have memories at the beach campgrounds in the late 70's, 80's, 90's as it was normal to see a dead golf cart being pulled home with a large strap from another golf cart. I never wanted to be "that guy".

​​​​​​I ride a motor cycle to escape and relieve stress, thats why I ride one!

Just the idea of range and "find a charger" anxiety takes my mind back to dead, EZgo's and the look on the poor saps face being pulled home with a strap... Nope, Don't want that!

I truly think if I hopped on an electric bike and that battery gage dropped one number I would totally loose it and head back toward my stupid home charger!

I believe an electric bike would add stress in my life... I think the saying would become true... You always see LiveWires parked in front of physiatrists offices...

 

I rode a Livewire. A friend in the family bought one and he let me take it out. No idea why anyone would want one. But... that's just me.

 

I needed a good laugh this morning.

 

It's not a 70s golf cart. Can farther in a day then most here ride

I think they should keep their toes in the water, it's an emerging market. If you don't believe that your head is in the sand.

And it's not about being green. Some people just like not going to gas station and the new technology.

Forecasted numbers were off for buell and vrod. Sometimes big companies do miss estimates

 

In year 2022, Harley Livewire projected 100,900 Livewire unit sales in 2026, while also projecting year 2023 sales at 7200 units.
Wow.
OP asks, "How in the world did Harley-Davidson come up with these sales projections?!"

I could only guess.
My first guess would be to look at actual total motorcycle sales for years 2020, 2021 and 2022.
Then look at Honda, Kawa, Suzuki future unit sales projections for year 2026.
Then take a percentage.

Second, if there is a financial report to READ that states this 100K+ project, I look to the PRESUMPTIONS.
Perhaps States, Biden, and Kamala Harris will demand (legislate) electric motorcycle sales be the same ratio as electric car ratios. Consumer preferences/ status of EVs and ongoing substantial subsidies increasing demand.
Perhaps a co-marking plan with Duracell batteries (LOL)

Third, financial projects are a "mysterious/ black art".
The projections could have an erroneous basis, only the financial "guru" who assembled them will have the support documentation; we may never know.

Above for FWIW.
FWIW comment, the Livewire fails in pricing; recharging and range issues aside.
I'd rather have an air-cooled Sportster (and I do) than a $20K or $10K Livewire.

 

You need to keep an eye on CA. I think liberals are smart enough to know those dates for banning or reducing gas are not realistic. But I am not positive.

But again,many of the people buying electric, do not care about saving planet. They just like them.

Dealer by me,still has charging station, despite what people say.

 

and they pulled the plug (pun intended) on them

How long can a company support the overhead with out selling product?
It's clear the interest isn't there and no indicators that will change in the near future.
will they/can they continue to sustain big loses for 5 -10 more years?

..L.T.A.