Say bye to Harley Davidson India

Harley Davidson has decided to shut down its operation in India. Harley Davidson is one of the largest manufacturers in the world. The new ” Rewire strategy” put forth by the new company CEO and chairman – Jochen Zeitz leads Harley to kill underperforming assets. Harley Davidson India is a prey to this new “Rewire Strategy” under which not just sales but also manufacturing will be stopped.

Why Change?

Harley Davidson has been facing sales issues all over the world. The motorcycle market in India wants a bike that is value for money and value here translates to speed. Most of the Harley Davidson India bike are cruisers and they do not offer that much speed. It does offer some amount of comfort and prestige but the other option in the market makes it look overpriced.

Currently, the premium bikes market does not differentiate the bike according to the segment. It is purely based on price. A buyer will look at all the different option in the market at a certain price point and select the best one for them.

Even the Harley Davidson India lowers the manufacturing cost by producing 2 bikes in India, they still do not prove great against the bikes in that price bracket. Its products have not been able to return the desired sales figures.

Last Year Analysis

Last year Harley Davidson India sold less than 2500 units in India. This is a very serious problem for a company that has been manufacturing bikes in India. It’s not that Harley did not try to inflate sales figures. Huge discounts were given on these bike through the Armed Forces Scheme but still the bikes did not gain popularity in the minds of Indian people.

Maybe the Indians have a cheaper alternative if they want something Heavy and Macho.

Also Read: 5 Reason for the Fame of Royal Enfield Classic

Service Worries

The existing owners of Harley Davidson in India will be definitely worried about the service of their bikes. Harley Davidson has not given out any statement in that regard. They have reduced the entire workforce to 70 employees and we think that Harley might outsource the service to some other OEM in India.

Harley Davidson India has total of 33 dealerships across the country. They will remain under operation until their contract lasts. While this will be of some support to the Harley owner but its a pleasure that won’t last long.

Also read: 2020 Harley Davidson Low Rider S launched, details inside

Official Statement by Harley Davidson US

The Rewire Strategy

As a result of the actions approved from 6 August 2020 through 23 September 2020, the company expects to incur restructuring expenses of approximately USD 75 million in 2020, of which approximately 80% are expected to be cash expenditures, including one-time termination benefits of approximately USD 3 million, non-current asset adjustments of approximately USD 5 million, and contract termination and other costs of approximately USD 67 million.

Full implementation of these Rewire actions may require the company to commit additional funds for additional contract termination and other costs. Including previously disclosed restructuring charges, the company expects total restructuring expenses associated with Rewire restructuring actions approved through 23 September 2020 of approximately USD 169 million in 2020. The company expects to complete the restructuring activities approved through 23 September 2020 within the next 12 months. Announcements associated with additional actions under The Rewire are expected to occur, some of which will likely result in additional restructuring charges.

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