Hard to tell why some of these shops are closing -- Maybe the new "look" with expanded retail area and high traffic locations are too expensive, at least with the sales down? Or is it lack of customer service and incompetent maintenance staff? Or maybe with the average rider age around 48, most of the Boomers already bought our Harley and the younger riders haven't come on board. Hell, maybe it's just the damn economy.
Regardless, Louisville Harley (part of a multiple franchise ownership) bought out the local BMW dealer and merged operations -- Good service dept and reasonable sales. Also own Bowling Green HD and some automotive dealerships, so I'm told. Bluegrass HD in Louisville is questionable -- Local gossip has the dealership for sale, though not officially confirmed by anyone I know. Interesting -- After several years of HOG sponsorship, Bluegrass HD would not continue for 2010, thus forcing the Chapter to reorganize under the AMA. Go figure -- Amidst all the above concerns and difficulties, they basically told 100 of their most loyal customers to walk.
Louisville has become the 16th largest city in the country, so we should support (2) dealers, so they remain profitable. But at least one may not make it -- If anyone hears anything official, I'd appreciate an FYI
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Topic: HD Dealerships That Have Closed or Are Closing (Read 170866 times)