LewAshby

[link=http://www.emirates247.com/business/corporate/harley-davidson-to-make-its-motorcycles-in-india-2010-11-04-1.313383]Harley Davidson to make its motorcycles in India[/link]

Lunchboxer

Ha, didn't see that coming.. I'm sure they are forced by the economy, but I wonder how much they would loss in the brand equity from the loyal customers.. !

redfisher1974

my cousin had a 70's Harley and alot of the parts said made in china...

LewAshby

People were saying that they would sell their beloved Harley's and find something else to ride if the company left Milwaukee, Wisconson (the birth place of HD).

They thought moving meant another state, not country [X(]

Lightfoot

My Feedback: (1)

I didn't see they are leaving Milwaukee. What I got out of the article was that HD is big in India and that they can save a lot of money supplying bikes to India if they assemble them there. I did not see anything stating that all their assembly will be done in India.

Ttam Says Blarg

Well after Buell what was next?

LewAshby

Dated Aug 5, 2010: [link=http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2010/08/after-107-years-harley-could-leave-milwaukee.html]After 107 years, Harley could leave Milwaukee[/link]

sheograth

Yeah, I don't see what people are getting upset over. From what I understand they're simply assembling bikes that are to be sold in India, In India.

LewAshby

Having motorcycles assembled in India for India is only the beginning of a steep, slippery slope.

Corporate greed will say "we have moved our production to India because it cost less. If you don't like it, don't buy it." 99 out of 100 people that say they will sell their Harelys won't and keep buying them no matter where they are made only because of the name brand.

If you walk into any Harley dealership and read the tags on the T-Shirts, leather pants, dog bowls, barbie dolls, etc., you will only see "Made In China".

sheograth

Assembling something where it's going to be sold sounds like good business practice to me. You can't blame a company for doing what's most financially reasonable for them.

iexion

They will be made in the USA and shipped to India. People who want haleys in India are sick of paying for shipping and taxes. So Harley is going to send parts over there. Its nice to see other countries want something thats 100% American

rcslsafut

i couldn't see harley moving thier whole operation to ANYWHERE except where they are !!!!
i remember when they bought some assembly equipment that was made in japan (i think)
anyways the employee's hung american flags over the equipment and refused to use the equipment !

SyCo_VeNoM

ditto.
They will be able to lower prices over there, which will drive up demand, and hopefully (seeing the parts are made over here) will increase the amount of US employees they have.

If anyone ever noticed look at the japanese cars. They are assembled in the country they are sold for the most part. Like the toyotas you see moving about(if you live in the USA) were built in the USA seeing its cheaper, and easier to ship parts, and assemble the product where it will be sold than ship a finished vehicle.

IFR Pilot

Once they ( India Consumers ) learn the price of harley parts, poor gas milage and legendary oil leaks, they'll go back to their bicycles.

More importantely, I don't believe this move is so India can obtain harleys cheaper as owners. This is the 1st step for harley to fall into the cheap labor money pit, just like 90% of other american companies.

Money is the root of all evil and tell your college economics professor I sent ya.

SLAYERDUDE

HD handlebars have been made by Cherry Elec, for years.
The moved to Mexico a couple years ago...
As you can imagine, quality control has been an issue ever since...
Que?
Donde!
Que?
La otra!
Or whatever they say.[sm=stupid.gif]
Donde esta la mota!
No, you work on the Harley's!

LewAshby

The majority of parts have been outsourced to other country and imported to the USA.

Even the foundry for the castings that make up the motor and transmission is located in China. They are "cleaned up" at a production shop somewhere in Wisconsin.

IFR Pilot

Thank you Mexico. Can somebody loan me a syringe and a leather strap, I'm poor.

JDMRumion

The only thing HD makes in Milwaukee (Menomonee Falls) anymore is engines and transmissions. One of my buddies is a line manager there (for now). I drive past the plant every day on my way to work and the parking lot is mostly empty. HD sales are definatly down and it only makes sense to produce bikes where they will be sold.

The_Shark

harley is a street walkin' tramp

they werent always that way, but whenever a company becomes big, they outsource from home to cut costs..... while still charging mega-bucks.

LIES!!! ALL LIES!!! your HONDA cruiser is more American[]

Mr. Mugen

[sm=thumbup.gif]

I'd take a Honda over a Charlie any day.

proanti1

My Feedback: (2)

Back in the 70's Harley was bought out by AMX, who outsourced most of the parts to China and India, so this really isn't anything new. Most of the bike is actually currently made in Mexico, A friend of mine works for Alcoa, all the aluminum castings are made at a Mexican Alcoa plant, then brought up to his plant for final finishing. The parts are then assembled in Milwaukee.

ElectricGuy007

Haha!

If you watch Gangland if your a Barbarosa you have to ride a Harley Davidson.
So the barb's are gonna be really upset, not everyone else.
I have not watched Gangland in a while but i did learn alot about biker gangs.

I have a few freinds that retired from gangs and I got a bit of information from them.
Facinating to say the least.[sm=omg_smile.gif]

The honda's are still alot cheaper and serve the same purpose.

sheograth

The Shark brings up an interesting point.

A lot of the "foreign" cars are more American now days. I always find it funny when people bash others for buying a Toyota or something and accuse them of taking jobs away from Americans, when really the big foreign automakers employ thousands of Americans making their cars and or certain parts right here in America. It's especially funny when the person doing the talking is driving an "American" pick up truck made in Mexico.

The_Shark

most of the US market japanese cars are not even sold to japan
oh and all chevy HHR's are mexican[sm=tired.gif] yet its no less expensive than a US made car where the labor is more expensive what does this mean? profit.

buggyboy2010

Disagree with those comments, I have MANY friends with HD's and none of them have troubles finding parts for cheap, nor poor gas milage or oil leaks, I don't get it why these accusations got so popular but they are very wrong.