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[hdbrad03]

I saw Harley Davidson stock jumped today on a down Market. On news that Honda wants to Merge.   US ALL!!

[VAZHOG]

That would be the best thing that could happen for US (HD) riders and your best 1940 technologies that 21st century money can buy!

They know about water cooled and ABS a long way from tractor technology.

[grc]

I saw Harley Davidson stock jumped today on a down Market. On news that Honda wants to Merge.   US ALL!!

That would be a very interesting combination.  I'm trying to visualize the Japanese throwing away 40 years of dependence on engineering and quality, to embrace the Harley philosophy.  You know, screw the quality and reliability, just spend your resources on "styling".

hdbrad03 - was this just another of those baseless rumors, or have you seen something official?  I can't believe Honda would consider this, much less initiate the idea.

Jerry

[saddlebow]

Here's what Forbes put out:
Shares of Harley-Davidson Inc. rose Friday on speculation that Honda may be looking to buy the iconic motorcycle maker.

In heavy afternoon trading, Harley-Davidson (nyse: HOG - news - people ) shares were up $2.44, or 4.1 percent, to $62.77, after peaking at $63.99 earlier in the day.

Over the past 52 weeks, Harley-Davidson shares have traded between $50.74 and $75.87.

Edward Aaron of RBC Capital Markets Corp. said a buyout by Honda (nyse: HMC - news - people ) would be "highly unlikely" for both regulatory and cultural reasons.

"This speculation is unfounded, in our view, and is likely to subside," he said, referring to a rumor first reported on a trading Web site.

In a note to investors, Aaron said he's fielded "a number of inquiries" about a leveraged buyout of Harley-Davidson in conjunction with the rumor. While "more plausible" than a merger with Honda, he said, "the math behind such a transaction is not highly compelling."

"Harley is already a very well operated business with a high margin profile," Aaron wrote. "Without the ability to generate significant structural margin improvement from current levels, it would be difficult for an leveraged buyout investor to pay a meaningful premium to the current price and generate a suitable return."

Bob Klein, a Harley-Davidson spokesman, said the company does not comment on market speculation.

_________

[hdbrad03]

So we will get the best Water Cooled Engines and Great ABS Braking Systems. That's a big plus. Hope we don't get frames that crack!

New tooling and improved precesses, sounds a little like AMF Days. History repeats itself. So when the new company gets close to folding? This will allow the new generations of Davidson's to save the day again. 

[SOKOOLJ]

I saw Harley Davidson stock jumped today on a down Market. On news that Honda wants to Merge.   US ALL!!

OMG, no way...H-D = Honda Davidson   

 

[Screamin]

I don't think so!

[ultrafxr]

Chit, I'm going short on H-D stock.  This has gotta be bs.  Can't believe this would every happen.

[grandpadoc]

 Look what happened to Mercedes when the two cultures could not merge. I don't think either company will recover. I really like my new Dodge Nitro R/T though. Don't worry, what Harley usually does when this happens is split the stock to get the faithful to buy into the company again, win/win.

[110tHunDer]

 
So, does this mean the guy in the SEEG section that got disgusted recently and traded for a Goldwing (http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=14423.0) actually just bought another Harley?

I saw the stock up about a buck fifty today at noon and wondered then WTF was going on.  Harley buying Ducati you could actually see happening, but Honda buying Harley?  I doubt it.  Their stock price has been dipping over the past few months, but they've still been posting stout profits.  1Q07 profits were $192M.  That's down 18% from 1Q06, but that was largely due to the strike and hardly indicative of major trouble at the MoCo.

[HWYMAN1]

That would be a very interesting combination.  I'm trying to visualize the Japanese throwing away 40 years of dependence on engineering and quality, to embrace the Harley philosophy.  You know, screw the quality and reliability, just spend your resources on "styling".

hdbrad03 - was this just another of those baseless rumors, or have you seen something official?  I can't believe Honda would consider this, much less initiate the idea.

Jerry

Jerry,
in addition to the forbes article ( confirms just speculation), found this re: Ducati : http://www.ft.com/cms/s/209fe0b8-18a6-11dc-a961-000b5df10621.html
john
Guess I missed Neal's post on same on different thread, oops!

[2006_CVO_HD]

OMG, no way...H-D = Honda Davidson   

 

That's real scary right there and the thoughts of an UltraWing...... 

[altugo]

If i wanted a friggin wing i could have bought two with what i paid for my Chopper or my Fatboy.Who cares about Honda when there are still harleys around.Wingers might aswell ride civics similar feeling.

[harleyteam]

if it ever happened(which I highly doubt)  I would retire from buying motorcycles,,, and just keep riding the ones I have.  (all Harleys)

[RJ749]

Then reality set in and all was right with the world.............I had written a diatribe the other day along the line of Grandpadoc, looking at Daimler and Chrysler, I can't even begin to imagine Harley and the Japanese, or rather the Japanese and Harley.