Bheezy27403_imp
Road warrior
Thread starter
Harley Shutting down in India
- Thread starter Bheezy27403_imp
- Start date
pekingduck
Road warrior
That's not unusual, I used to see Harleys shut down on the side of the road a lot here too....
Bheezy27403_imp
Road warrior
Thread starter
Ha! :beerchug:
Houtman_imp
Road warrior
Harley might have a tuff road ahead of them with a shrinking market for their bikes.
peterbaron
Road warrior
IMHO any HD is too big in size...and ie India just needs small cc engine and bike for basic transportation.....miscalculated market.
misterprofessionality
Road warrior
This is actually surprising as I had always read that the XG750 and Xg500 models were selling like hotcakes in India as luxury items.
peterbaron
Road warrior
Fact:
"The liquidated factory was opened with great pomp in 2011. Since then, Harley-Davidson has struggled with both local competition and Honda. Ultimately, it sold only 3,000 units a year, which was a negligible number in the Indian market, where 17 million motorcycles and scooters are sold each year.
Experts point out that Harley was not able to deliver adequate cost-effectiveness and also struggled with very high taxes and duties. Plus, Harley-Davidson didn't quite fit the Indian transport market ..."
"The liquidated factory was opened with great pomp in 2011. Since then, Harley-Davidson has struggled with both local competition and Honda. Ultimately, it sold only 3,000 units a year, which was a negligible number in the Indian market, where 17 million motorcycles and scooters are sold each year.
Experts point out that Harley was not able to deliver adequate cost-effectiveness and also struggled with very high taxes and duties. Plus, Harley-Davidson didn't quite fit the Indian transport market ..."
Billie_imp
Running like a top
The key words being used to, not anymore.pekingduck_imp said:
Ouch. Talk about a blow to morale. To say that HD misjudged that market would be quite the understatement. While Harley Davidson motorcycles have never really appealed to me personally, I don’t take any satisfaction at all in what seems likely to be their full demise within my lifetime.peterbaron_imp said:
GoldOxide_imp
Road warrior
The key words being used to, not anymore.Billie_imp said:
Likely true, ... more like Ducatis (even in 2020).
But, HDs seem to only come out on pleasant weekends and then shutdown for all other times of the year.
Billie_imp
Running like a top
The key words being used to, not anymore.GoldOxide_imp said:
Likely true, ... more like Ducatis (even in 2020).
But, HDs seem to only come out on pleasant weekends and then shutdown for all other times of the year.
For a lot of riders that's very true, they spend more time cleaning than riding. But not all, so far this summer I have just over 7,000 mi on my Harley and a little over 2,000 on my CB. Take a trip out west every summer on the Harley where as the CB is more for commuting thus the higher mi on the HD. First summer on this Honda and I'm really liking it, if it had cruise control would consider taking it out west, might anyways. Would love to pull into Sturgis, SD on it, would of course need a special permit for it before I could enter the city limits
.Bheezy27403_imp
Road warrior
Thread starter
Ouch. Talk about a blow to morale. To say that HD misjudged that market would be quite the understatement. While Harley Davidson motorcycles have never really appealed to me personally, I don’t take any satisfaction at all in what seems likely to be their full demise within my lifetime.Guth_imp said:
My thoughts on the brand (and some of their faithful) aside, I hope they don't fold. I just can't seem to understand how they cannot get out of their own way. There has to be a smart mind or two somewhere in the bunch and yet they continue to make seemingly semi reasonable business moves in concept and then just completely blow it with their products and/or prices.
GoldOxide_imp
Road warrior
At least they are trying other avenues for ideas. They are not price competitive, or remotely approaching while adding a unique value that many people want. They just don't have that new "want" yet. They still have the might to do it, but they are burning down the pile of stash in the meantime.
pekingduck
Road warrior
For way too long, Harley has sold the sizzle not the steak. Now the world is moving away from red meat, and their corporate vision is out of focus.
If the company is slow to adjust to the market and the times, well, all you'll have is the name. Like what happened to Kodak and Polaroid.
Hmmm, Harley Davidson Sugar-Coated Bran Flakes...... Now With Bacon!
If the company is slow to adjust to the market and the times, well, all you'll have is the name. Like what happened to Kodak and Polaroid.
Hmmm, Harley Davidson Sugar-Coated Bran Flakes...... Now With Bacon!
Honda_Fan_imp
Running like a top
I owned a sportster 1200 and I got to tell you that after Honda/Yamaha/Ducati it felt like a farm tractor. Couldn’t handle a corner, brake reasonably or accelerate fast enough. Only thing it was good for is cruising straight at 60mph and revving at traffic lights to hear that super loud exhaust. There’s nothing in Harley line up that I would want even if cost half what they are asking.
peterbaron
Road warrior
Yeah, I've never owned one but always heard them.....
Houtman_imp
Road warrior
I think that most of the time in the past and probably even now HD management had/has no clue how to read market trends , just look at the Livewire disaster .
You can never blame the customer when your business fails , you have to give them good reasons to purchase your product or service.
You can never blame the customer when your business fails , you have to give them good reasons to purchase your product or service.
GoldOxide_imp
Road warrior
... faux bacon with real salt. (no HOGS were harmed)pekingduck_imp said:
Billie_imp
Running like a top
Really? So you're saying you wouldn't be interested in a RoadKing for say $10,000, or a Low Rider for $7,500 both very capable bikes with plenty of power and a fit and finish second to none. Maybe time for you to rethink your position and give them another look see.Honda_Fan_imp said:
