“In this administration our allegiance will be to the American workers and to American businesses, like Harley-Davidson,” Trump told reporters. Oops! Shares of Harley-Davidson Inc. HOG, -6.70% sank 2.7% in premarket trade Monday, after the motorcycle maker said the European Union tariffs on the company's motorcycles increased to 31% from 6%, and will increase the cost of the average motorcycle to the EU from the U.S. by about $2,200. The company said it won't raise its suggested retail prices or wholesale prices to dealers to cover the costs of the tariffs, because it believes passing on the tariff costs would have an "immediate and lasting detrimental impact" to its business in the region. Harley-Davidson expects the tariffs to cost about $30 million to $45 million for the rest of 2018, and could cost $90 million to $100 million on an annual basis. The company said it plans to shift production of EU-bound motorcycles to international facilities from U.S. facilities to avoid the tariff burden. https://www.marketwatch.com/story/h...ng-2200-to-average-motorcycle-cost-2018-06-25
I don't see where any American employees are losing their jobs, or any U.S. factories are closing. What's the point of this thread?
H-D two names to charge twice as s much for antiquated design and quality. New US riders are not buying them. Thus the reason they are building bikes outside the US trying to sustain themselves. EU tariffs are being blamed but HD is in danger of being another company like Sears who failed in recognizing the market and adapting to it.
Don't forget they closed KC plant and are building bikes in Thailand already. HD business model has been under fire for a number of years by investors. They have had few of any breakout products just regurgitating the same thing over and over. The tariffs have them cover for what they already planned doing.