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Harley-Davidson Announces New Round of Job Cuts | The Motley Fool
This is not the first time in 2020 the struggling motorcycle maker has reduced its workforce.
Maybe.. it's been 4 decades since Ronnie had to bail them out... a lot has changed in this ol world... including customers and their expectations... the brand will survive no doubt... but how will it look?... once it falls from it's pedestal I highly doubt it will ever climb back on..I recall the early to mid 90's when HD had to have been the envy of any manufacturer. Two year wait on new bikes and you were lucky if you bought at MSRP. Even then, it was not the best made, best engineered, or the least expensive. But it had a cult-like following and demand far outpaced supply. An American icon to be sure. They have been through worse. They will survive this as well.
I agree. When the last baby boomer can’t ride any longer, the MoCo will be in dire straits. They’ve waited too long to try and remarket the brand to younger riders. HD is suffering the same fate as Cadillac...they let the brand become synonymous with “old.” HD needs younger riders, but doesn’t have one bike with the modern accoutrements young customers desire.Maybe.. it's been 4 decades since Ronnie had to bail them out... a lot has changed in this ol world... including customers and their expectations... the brand will survive no doubt... but how will it look?... once it falls from it's pedestal I highly doubt it will ever climb back on..
Atta boy Steve B. You are right on!! You hit the nail on the head. Maybe we should go into business and make some t-shirts; I Rode My Bike to Trailer Week!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I see more and more trailers in Sturgis than I see riders almost. WTF?!??!??! Ride safe, brother."They're now being run by a former tennis shoe CEO. A year or so ago, they hired a soup and cereal bar executive"
For years and years I wanted a Harley. It was the epitome of "cool, badass", etc. But they have spent the last decade or more catering to the baby boomer who goes and buys a $30k Harley- not to ride, but just so he can say he owns one, then spends 3 grand more on HD apparel so he can trailer his bike to Sturgis during wannabe week and strut around with all his gear on and say "look at me, I'm a biker". They have really alienated the guys who maybe don't have all the money in the world, but actually ride, and understand what riding is about. That's what happened with me, anyway. That's why I ended up on an Indian. TBH, I'm glad I did. LOVE this bike.
this guy gets it. pretty hard to stomach watching HD not adjust to the times and then make a giant leap of faith that was about 10 years too late.That’s pretty bad. I hate to see American workers sent packing.
A private equity firm saved Indian. Stellican, owner of what is widely known as the King's Mountain bikes purchased the brand after Gilroy ran it into the ground (again after DuPont in 1953) and sold it to Polaris (Stellican also purchased Chris Craft and several other iconic brands). I agree though this business practice has done in many American enterprises.Unfortunately private equity firms have destroyed hundreds of old American brands in the interested of maximizing their short term take of cash at the expense of the customers, employees and vendors, then putting the company in bankruptcy to clear debts so they can sell to another PE for a profit. Looks like the same may be happening at HD.