09-19-2014, 05:47 AM
(09-18-2014, 11:52 PM)ClassicVW_imp Wrote: Yeah, I know all about the Harley wait lists back then, and the dealers did suffer when the market blew up, but H-D themselves sure didn't suffer. They went from worldwide sales of a little under 100,000 units (then) to the 300,000 units today.
That's true, and although they had a HUGE (almost 50%) drop in sales volume '08 to '10, they've managed to recover nicely. Although I thought it was pretty outrageous that they lined up for a government bail-out after all those gravy years. I guess they manage their money about as well I as manage mine.
A lot of long-time HD franchise owners got crushed in the process though. HD demanded they build "Taj-Mahal" stores, or even multiple stores, to keep their franchise. I don't know if you've seen it in your area, but a LOT of HD franchises in FL changed hands in the past couple of years because the prior owners went deep into debt to meet HD's requirements and couldn't make the payments when the sales dropped off.