I would imagine this is a joint agreement between dealers and HD. "if it ain't on the showroom floor, it ain't available" thinking. This way the dealers can drive the stock down and then place a large order at once, HD can then plan aheadfor manufacturing. It makes sense.

 

Yup. Today HD announced they will produce 27,000 less bikes this year then last year. That is a huge cut. The HD CFO said dealerinventorys in march are lower then last year(and they still cut production, laid off 700 workers).They are really going to bit the bullet and clear all 2008 inventory by August (assumingsales dont tank). Boys...I smell HD trying to push MSRP higher and some models selling over msrp next year.[:@] Get them while you can.

 

I know there are a ton of bikes here at the local dealer in Columbus. They have had a rocker and an x bones on the floor for a couple months.

 

This should give the used bike market a boost, especially the low mileage 07-06's. Local dealer seems to be selling well and only had 2 used bikes on the floor the other day.
It may also give the competition a boost.

 

Industry is going down hill big time. Atleast in the machining trade, but I also see other metal fab shops and companies that contract us to do work for em going down hill. I'm not saying it's super bad but industry is slowing and nows the time where dealers need to unload bikes for cheap cause people are going to start being more conservative with there money. Of course dealers aren't going to though.[:'(]

 

things are slow...the dealer in pawtucket has 06 leftover 1200l for 8 grand. brian

 

hey it only makes sense. The market is flooded with many many harleys. REmember the days when you had to order your bike and you had to be on a waiting list to get one.

The MoCo made lots of money back then.

With less new bikes available the value of all the bikes on the current market goes up. That includes new sitting on the showroom floor and the used one in your garage. It sucks if you don't have a bike right now but if you do this should make you happy.

 

I confirmed this with a Dealer friend of mine today after I heard it from another person. They announced on the news today (I heard it on the radio) that Harley is laying off 8% of it's work force including salary and union workers. They also confirmed the 37,000 unit decrease as mentioned above.

 

OK, checked financials
Year Revenue Net Income
Dec 2007 6,143.0 933.8
Dec 2006 6,185.6 1,043.2
Dec 2005 5,673.8 959.6
Dec 2004 5,320.5 889.8
Dec 2003 4,903.7 760.9
Dec 2002 4,302.5 580.2
Dec 2001 3,545.0 437.8
Dec 2000 2,943.5 347.7

Which means Harley made more each year in the last three years, when bikes were relatively easy to get, roughy 2x more, than in the good old days when they were much harder to get. And here I thought all you guys knew what you were talking about...

 

Well at the end of the day It sucks [:@]