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CVO Social => In The News => Topic started by: Eqcons on September 25, 2020, 05:17:32 AM

Title: Harley-Davidson to exit world's biggest bike market
Post by: Eqcons on September 25, 2020, 05:17:32 AM
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-54290245

The stupidity of their pricing to blame of course.
Title: Re: Harley-Davidson to exit world's biggest bike market
Post by: iski on September 25, 2020, 10:14:16 AM
Maybe Indian will move into that market.
Title: Re: Harley-Davidson to exit world's biggest bike market
Post by: Eqcons on September 25, 2020, 10:19:42 AM
Yes, red, not dot, of course.
Title: Re: Harley-Davidson to exit world's biggest bike market
Post by: 2smoke on September 25, 2020, 11:06:02 AM
This is a good move. The Motor Company has wasted so much time, money, and resources trying to sell in markets that are not at all aligned with their products. India may be the largest motorcycle market but there is hardly any market there for large motorcycles. Take a look at what they ride there. Small low-displacement bikes dominate that market. There is over a billion people in that county! Many of the roads are un-paved and very rough. It's not a place to go touring on your CVO Street Glide and blast from Joe's Greasy Spoon to the next bar 20 miles down the county highway. Combine that with massive tariffs that end up putting the bikes out-of-reach for 99.9999% of the people and you have a big fat suck hole for profits. It would be like trying to sell Bibles in Iran.
Title: Re: Harley-Davidson to exit world's biggest bike market
Post by: mark on September 25, 2020, 10:00:51 PM
This is a good move. The Motor Company has wasted so much time, money, and resources trying to sell in markets that are not at all aligned with their products. India may be the largest motorcycle market but there is hardly any market there for large motorcycles. Take a look at what they ride there. Small low-displacement bikes dominate that market. There is over a billion people in that county! Many of the roads are un-paved and very rough. It's not a place to go touring on your CVO Street Glide and blast from Joe's Greasy Spoon to the next bar 20 miles down the county highway. Combine that with massive tariffs that end up putting the bikes out-of-reach for 99.9999% of the people and you have a big fat suck hole for profits. It would be like trying to sell Bibles in Iran.
This would have been a great market for a sub-brand of HD, like Buell...but that ship has sailed.
Title: Re: Harley-Davidson to exit world's biggest bike market
Post by: CVODON on September 26, 2020, 05:54:32 PM
I disagree with the Buell comment. People over there are not spending Buell money any more than HD money. They are buying scooters and under $5K motorcycles. To have sold Buell would have required a complete redesign/market/price point. This would be just like starting a new brand.
I think someone finally made a smart move. If you not meeting the desires of the buyers then quit trying.
Title: Re: Harley-Davidson to exit world's biggest bike market
Post by: mark on September 26, 2020, 08:59:33 PM
I disagree with the Buell comment. People over there are not spending Buell money any more than HD money. They are buying scooters and under $5K motorcycles. To have sold Buell would have required a complete redesign/market/price point. This would be just like starting a new brand.
I think someone finally made a smart move. If you not meeting the desires of the buyers then quit trying.
Let me clarify...I meant that Buell could have introduced a line of lower priced, entry level bikes that could have competed with Royal Enfield. I didn’t mean Buell could have sent their U.S. lineup to India.  Something like the Buell Blast was what I was referring to.