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[cvobiker]

Here's a question,,, These dealerships closing all have their Harley sales territory. Once the dealership is gone, what happens to this territory?  Does Mother Harley leave these open for future franchise purchase?  Or do they divvy it up with nearby stores still in business..   Someday when this economy turns around i can see hords of investors gobbling back up these territories..

[kraut]

Harley-Davidson purposefully diminishes it's dealer network. They want less but stronger dealers worldwide. I doubt they will enlarge again in a better economy. 

[harley56]

Here's a question,,, These dealerships closing all have their Harley sales territory. Once the dealership is gone, what happens to this territory?  Does Mother Harley leave these open for future franchise purchase?  Or do they divvy it up with nearby stores still in business..   Someday when this economy turns around i can see hords of investors gobbling back up these territories..

When a dealership goes away Harley-Davidson is typically leaving it empty these days and the surrounding dealers territories increase.  They do reserve the right to re-visit the territory if the market warrants, but they know that's not going to happen anytime soon.  There are a few situations in the country where dealer's are not making it, but the market is such that they will be replaced if they fail, but these are few and far between.

[20 gauge]

Here's a question,,, These dealerships closing all have their Harley sales territory. Once the dealership is gone, what happens to this territory?  Does Mother Harley leave these open for future franchise purchase?  Or do they divvy it up with nearby stores still in business..   Someday when this economy turns around i can see hords of investors gobbling back up these territories..

I think a VW has a better chance of winning the Indy 500, than we do seeing this economy recover to the point where investors gobbling anything.   

[roadrunner]

Harley-Davidson of Maryland Closing

http://www.harleydavidsonofmaryland.com/default.asp?page=promo3

[DOOFUS]

This is nuts -- but no shocker. It's nuts because she just built that new building. No shocker because the dc area is loaded with arrogant dealers who never deal. Only one or two really try.

Harley-Davidson of Maryland Closing



http://www.harleydavidsonofmaryland.com/default.asp?page=promo3

[RedDevil]

This is nuts -- but no shocker. It's nuts because she just built that new building. No shocker because the dc area is loaded with arrogant dealers who never deal. Only one or two really try.

It's a shame, but doesn't surprise me either.  I think that there will be more closing in the DC area, unless the owners get with the program and realize that the days of charging MSRP and over, are gone.  Some I think, are hoping to weather out the storm and maintain their arrogance by charging up to $5K over MSRP for a CVO.  Even my dealer, which used to be a "take it or leave it" dealer has "seen the light" and will now deal to get you on one of their bikes.  It's not a question of the strong surviving, but the smart.

[mlb3164]

My local dealer received a 2011 FLHTCUSE6 CVO that they had in the back getting ready for the showroom. After I finished drooling and contemplating trading my 09 FLHTCUSE4 on it I thought of my friend. I told him about the bike and he and his wife stopped by the dealer the very next afternoon perfectly ready to buy. When they arrived they walked around the dealer for a good 20 minutes before anyone spoke to them and they finally had to ask someone where the salesman was.  He has a 2005 Ultra Classic in mint shape with around 45,000 miles he wanted to trade. First off they low balled him on what they could give him for his bike and then told him he would need to bring it in to service for them to go evaluate before they could even make him an offer. After this they said the 2011 was going to be $2,000.00 over MSRP and with all the dealer fluff added on top of that!!!! They said they do this with all their "special CVO" bikes because they are so hard to get. Needless to say they walked out of the dealer with a very bad taste in their mouth. Me and him road to Concord the next day and he saw a Limited that he really liked. Long story short they came off MSRP on this bike, gave him more than he had expected for his 2005 (sight unseen I might add) gave him a $200.00 gift card and 25% off any accessories he wanted. The salesman, sales manager and GM were all super nice and bent over backwards to make his purchase pain free. He is now the proud owner of a 2011 Ultra Classic Limited. My local dealer has no concept of customer service or trying to create any loyalty with patrons. I work in sales and it is all I can do to keep the customers I have in this economy much less win over new ones. I see a bleak future for my local dealer.

[SBB]

My local dealer received a 2011 FLHTCUSE6 CVO that they had in the back getting ready for the showroom. After I finished drooling and contemplating trading my 09 FLHTCUSE4 on it I thought of my friend. I told him about the bike and he and his wife stopped by the dealer the very next afternoon perfectly ready to buy. When they arrived they walked around the dealer for a good 20 minutes before anyone spoke to them and they finally had to ask someone where the salesman was.  He has a 2005 Ultra Classic in mint shape with around 45,000 miles he wanted to trade. First off they low balled him on what they could give him for his bike and then told him he would need to bring it in to service for them to go evaluate before they could even make him an offer. After this they said the 2011 was going to be $2,000.00 over MSRP and with all the dealer fluff added on top of that!!!! They said they do this with all their "special CVO" bikes because they are so hard to get. Needless to say they walked out of the dealer with a very bad taste in their mouth. Me and him road to Concord the next day and he saw a Limited that he really liked. Long story short they came off MSRP on this bike, gave him more than he had expected for his 2005 (sight unseen I might add) gave him a $200.00 gift card and 25% off any accessories he wanted. The salesman, sales manager and GM were all super nice and bent over backwards to make his purchase pain free. He is now the proud owner of a 2011 Ultra Classic Limited. My local dealer has no concept of customer service or trying to create any loyalty with patrons. I work in sales and it is all I can do to keep the customers I have in this economy much less win over new ones. I see a bleak future for my local dealer.

My local dealer received a 2011 FLHTCUSE6 CVO

Who is your local dealer?

SBB

[acevtwin]

ABC Harley Davidson in Waterford Mi has the windows covered with paper and the doors Chained shut. I guess they could be remodeling but why chain the doors?

[mjb765]

Harley-Davidson of Maryland Closing

http://www.harleydavidsonofmaryland.com/default.asp?page=promo3

Strange--the owner retires and the place closes? Why not sell and keep the buisiness alive?

[SBB]

Strange--the owner retires and the place closes? Why not sell and keep the buisiness alive?

Selling is much harder than you think.
The Motor Company has to approve the buyer.
The Motor Company has a dealer on a leash and controls more than you can imagine.
The days of anyone with a few million extra chingalings buying into a dealership and making a killing are over.
It's typically a ten mil nut with no guarantee of a big return.
Such is life in the fast lane.

           

SBB

[9 1/2 Beers]

Selling is much harder than you think.
The Motor Company has to approve the buyer.
The Motor Company has a dealer on a leash and controls more than you can imagine.
The days of anyone with a few million extra chingalings buying into a dealership and making a killing are over.
It's typically a ten mil nut with no guarantee of a big return.
Such is life in the fast lane.

           

SBB

 So Chip, You goin in 

[dayne66]

ABC Harley Davidson in Waterford Mi has the windows covered with paper and the doors Chained shut. I guess they could be remodeling but why chain the doors?

Chains on doors looks like receivership.

[IndustryObserver]

http://www.hearnburkley.com/EmailCampaigns/FS_TroyHillDrive_7010.pdf