Trouble in Paradise - Part II

mikesim

mikesim

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Jun 7, 2011
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Union, MO
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NT700, Red, #989,
It seems at times that when a company is intent on destroying itself, it will let nothing stand in its way. Harley-Davidson just announced the hiring of its new President and CEO. His name is Artie Starrs who is coming from Topgolf/Callaway brands. In reading his pedigree, it appears he has zero experience in the motorsports industry. I guess maybe there is a connection after all since many years ago HD made golf carts. I suspect that he will be able to help HD create a new sportswear lineup to ensure that the pirates remain fashionable but will he help the MoCo out of its malaise... I'm not so sure? I hope I am dead wrong, and I may well be, because I would like to see HD succeed in making motorcycles in the US. I just feel that to truly bring HD back to it's former success will require leadership that has gasoline in their veins, a gearhead, not another bean counter.


Mike
 
I'm sure he will be fine. Look at what Jim Fartley has done for Ford, and what Merry Berry has done for GM. :D
 
Am now reading where the MoCo has installed the new management and board of directors. Their first item of business is deciding what to do with Livewire. Do we attempt to find a buyer or do we just throw in the towel and liquidate the marque? You will recall that a while back the MoCo separated Livewire to "presumably" allow it to <wink, wink> grow independently of the MoCo. That was a ruse to allow the MoCo to get Livewire off the MoCo balance sheet. Livewire had very little operating capital so the MoCo was forced to retain 20% equity to allow Livewire to survive. Despite, a lower cost Livewire and price reductions, Livewire is effectively dead in the water. I can't imagine that anyone would seriously entertain the idea of buying the remnants of Livewire from the MoCo, nor would I expect another attempt by the MoCo to rejuvenate Livewire in some fashion. The MoCo is hemorrhaging cash and sales have been dismal so I expect Livewire will be allowed to expire with a whimper and a significant loss will appear on the MoCo balance sheet.
 
I'm a little vested, sort of. HD and Indian are the main reason there are more options now for 130/60-19. I want them to keep making huge touring baggers I won't buy so I can continue having options at that tire size for a Honda. šŸ˜‡
 
They will exist for awhile...the problem is that as more of the knuckle draggers age out of the nitch market, more used machines appear in good shape, further hindering new sales.
Honda, on the other hand, has lots of bikes it sells all over the world, and into many markets....the US sales may go down, but Honda will still be here.....
Demographics also could change, further hastening the end of HD. If you watch my vid on the History of Honda, they adapted to markets....HD relies on dinasours.
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I used to have a sticker on one of HD saddle bags that read "Harley Davidson, yesterday's technology at tomorrow's prices". Not real popular at bike nights, but then neither was a T shirt someone gave me. In big letters, "If loud pipes save lives, just think what learning how to ride the thing could do". :rofl1:
 
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