Harley going into India!

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Mustang · #1 Post by **Mustang** » Tue May 23, 2006 4:51 pm

Only just opened up a dealership in China and now HD wants to go into India...

Taj Mahal, Ghandi and Harley?

so....If they have problems with their Harley and call customer service do we have someone from the deep south man the helpdesk???

Mintbread · #2 Post by **Mintbread** » Tue May 23, 2006 4:53 pm

Haha, IF.

Sorry, couldn't resist.

jmillheiser · #3 Post by **jmillheiser** » Tue May 23, 2006 5:21 pm

remember HD is based in Wisconson. wouldn't a northern accent be more appropriate LOL.

TechTMW · #4 Post by **TechTMW** » Tue May 23, 2006 6:10 pm

At the very bottom of that article is this little tidbit -

Aside from traditional sources such as motorcycle, parts and apparel sales, it also licenses its logo which was worth $41 million of revenue in 2004, or almost 5 percent of net income.

MAN now that's a company with a valuable name! I'm curious to know how long it's going to be before HD moves it's manufacturing base to either China or India.... I don't see how they can compete in those markets with their prices.

Seetrout · #5 Post by **Seetrout** » Wed May 24, 2006 7:38 pm

I don't see how they can compete in those markets with their prices.

Like MV Agusta?

Or Lambo?

Or ferrari?

Status Symbol Anyone?

TechTMW · #6 Post by **TechTMW** » Wed May 24, 2006 7:49 pm

They are going onto markets where the mass majority of bikes sold are in the 125cc range, and made in country. Meaning - they are cheap as heck.

Unless there are ALOT of rich Indians and Chinese, the market for US-Made Harleys can't be that big. They awant US stuff like big GM cars caddys and such - but GM is opening a plant in china to meet chinese demand/pricing. I think Harley would have to do the same for any long-term prospects in the country.

flynrider · #7 Post by **flynrider** » Thu May 25, 2006 8:42 am

TechTMW wrote:At the very bottom of that article is this little tidbit -

Aside from traditional sources such as motorcycle, parts and apparel sales, it also licenses its logo which was worth $41 million of revenue in 2004, or almost 5 percent of net income.
MAN now that's a company with a valuable name!

Their name is worth more than any other MC companies name. In the 1st quarter of this year, Harley reported sales of $68 million in Harley branded products (excludes motorcycles, parts and accessories). That's $68 million in 3 months. That is superb marketing.

Just for fun, it would be interesting to see how much Yamaha or Kawasaki makes from selling stuff with their name on it.

flynrider · #8 Post by **flynrider** » Thu May 25, 2006 8:47 am

It's going to be a niche market, much like Harley in Japan. Their target will be the growing sector of affluent businessmen. In a country where a motorcycle is utiltitarian transportation, Harley is not going to be a blip on the radar of the overall motorcycle market in India.

#9 Post by **9000white** » Thu May 25, 2006 8:49 am

i have got some motorcycles with their names on them.
that is all i need.

Mustang · #10 Post by **Mustang** » Fri May 26, 2006 7:12 am

I've been going back and forth on whether Harley can make it in a country where the market's driven by ceaper smaller cc bikes.

I understand its a status symbol for the richer Indians, but will there be enough of a market to support the infrastructure needed? There may be some rich people but there seems to be an awful lot of poor ones too!

But then going back the value of its brand name when you read something like this...

H.O.G. in membership heaven

..and you realize if anyone can pull it off maybe HD can....