Number of dealers in U.S. is not growing much
#13
#14
The number count of H-D dealerships now as compared to early 2000's, can be traced
to the fact that a lot of mainstay long time dealers opening a second shop. A few dealers
closed their second shops, while some long time owners closed everything down to retire.
When the economy took a slow down it hurt the whole Country, luxury items took a big
hit, people lost jobs, and big corporations also took a hit. Harley one of them, along with
GM, Chrysler, Wall Street, and Housing.
to the fact that a lot of mainstay long time dealers opening a second shop. A few dealers
closed their second shops, while some long time owners closed everything down to retire.
When the economy took a slow down it hurt the whole Country, luxury items took a big
hit, people lost jobs, and big corporations also took a hit. Harley one of them, along with
GM, Chrysler, Wall Street, and Housing.
#15
Harley also changed dealerships to a larger footprint that's supposed to offer more of a "full experience" as opposed to tiny shops that only carried one or two bikes and a few cases of oil. Those smaller shops wouldn't cut it in today's retail environment.
So... Fewer dealers? Yes. More sales per dealer and more sales overall? Yup.
So... Fewer dealers? Yes. More sales per dealer and more sales overall? Yup.
#16
I have no idea how close Harley has gotten to filing for bankruptcy, but I certainly remember that in 1982, Harley-Davidson Motor Company and Harley-Davidson York, Inc., filed a request for escape clause relief from the damaging imports of heavyweight motorcycles into the United States, whereby tariffs were levied against Japanese manufacturers.
"The action was exceptional for protecting a single American company, the Harley-Davidson Motor Company of Milwaukee, the sole surviving American maker of motorcycles." - NYTimes
http://www.nytimes.com/1983/04/02/bu...torcycles.html
"The action was exceptional for protecting a single American company, the Harley-Davidson Motor Company of Milwaukee, the sole surviving American maker of motorcycles." - NYTimes
http://www.nytimes.com/1983/04/02/bu...torcycles.html
Last edited by UltraClassicElectraGlide; 02-07-2015 at 08:20 PM.
#17
#18
And about 3 or 4 more times after that with various owners before Polaris bought the rights. Indian had money problems long before they went under too.
Don't know Indian's sales, but I sure don't see very many of them on the road. I certainly hope they stay in production though, along with Victory, and the rest. Was sorry to see Excelsior-Henderson go **** up. That factory was only about 20 miles from here, and if I recall, was built with some government bucks. Sat empty for years.
Why some are so eager to see a business go under its beyond me. Competition for customers is a good thing. And how many banks needed government help to stay solvent, lets not forget the huge loans GM needed as well. Chrysler over the years too.
Don't know Indian's sales, but I sure don't see very many of them on the road. I certainly hope they stay in production though, along with Victory, and the rest. Was sorry to see Excelsior-Henderson go **** up. That factory was only about 20 miles from here, and if I recall, was built with some government bucks. Sat empty for years.
Why some are so eager to see a business go under its beyond me. Competition for customers is a good thing. And how many banks needed government help to stay solvent, lets not forget the huge loans GM needed as well. Chrysler over the years too.
#19
I have no idea how close Harley has gotten to filing for bankruptcy, but I certainly remember that in 1982, Harley-Davidson Motor Company and Harley-Davidson York, Inc., filed a request for escape clause relief from the damaging imports of heavyweight motorcycles into the United States, whereby tariffs were levied against Japanese manufacturers.
"The action was exceptional for protecting a single American company, the Harley-Davidson Motor Company of Milwaukee, the sole surviving American maker of motorcycles." - NYTimes
http://www.nytimes.com/1983/04/02/bu...torcycles.html
"The action was exceptional for protecting a single American company, the Harley-Davidson Motor Company of Milwaukee, the sole surviving American maker of motorcycles." - NYTimes
http://www.nytimes.com/1983/04/02/bu...torcycles.html
That went away when the limit was lifted.
Lots of industries and companies get assistance of some sort from the government.
#20
Harley likes Govt money also http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/568/86...-from-Fed.aspx