Harley to be Built in India

[Smylinacha]

Firefly, I'm not picking a fight - we met last year at Lamont's and I'm a fan of yours... but that statement is crap and part of what's tearing this country apart.

Our ANCESTORS were immigrants, I am not. I'm a natural born citizen and proud to call myself an AMERICAN. I teach my children the same thing, just like my parents did with me. We're not Irish-American or Slovak-American, just American. Those who gain US citizenship and want to be called XYZ-American should GTFO of America and head back to XYZ - you can't serve two masters.

Sorry, you hit a nerve

:2thumbs::agree:

 

[Smylinacha]

Companies are trying to compete globally, HD should be able to do that like anyone else. You can't turn back time and buy USA only - it's just not that world anymore. There are reasons for that but I can't discuss my opinions of why in here because it is political.

Not sure if there is a single well known large corporation that manufactures 100% in the USA with zero foreign parts. Not anymore. They'd all go broke doing it which goes back to my first paragraph in which I'd get scolded for giving my reasonings why.

But there is no way HD is gonna close up all operations in America and move everything to another country. If they did that, they'd lose the American market. But they can sure as heck build a factory in India and sell to the customers over there.

The board doesn't care about American-Made loyalty -- they care about profits - and they're in dire straights.

I'll bet dollars to doughnuts what I stated will happen within 20 years. nojoke

 

[Raptor]

Considering HD has been around FAR longer and holds a MUCH larger market share-- your results should have shown even MORE numbers for HD's.

They got a bad quality rep back in the day--- and the AMF fiasco didn't help at all.

The V-Rod engines are well known to go 100,000 miles or more without any service done other than oil changes.

I'm just not a fan of their products.

I agree with the bad rap angle. And though I don't care for everything they make there are a coupe of HDs I would LOVE to have in my garage, the V-Rod being one of them! I once had access to a classic HD like 20 some-odd years ago which was just kick-@ss! It was black with a cafe racer type style and fairing. Please forgive me, I am NOT a Harley expert by any means so I can't tell you what model it was! But this was a fantastic ride. So I would park that one in the garage as well.

Without getting political I also agree about the group that is fiercly loyal to the brand - I think MANY of them would really be turned off if they knew they were NOT buying the American machine. It would not be good for Harley at all...

 

[Raptor]

kind of amusing that so many people that don't own a Harley would have such a strong opinion of how Harley should conduct their operations.....:roflblack:

As a lifelong Harley rider, I have no problem with them expanding their operations in order to compete in one of the world's largest markets. It can only help to stabilize the rest of the company in uncertain times. I doubt if the HD employees in Wisconsin care where their engines are going, as long as they're still building engines. A US company engaging in exporting, should be a good news story.

Totally dude! Now built in the USA and exported to the world totally works for me! It sounds like this story is confined to the Indian market - for now at least. I just want to see those Wisconsin workers still workin!

 

[Smylinacha]

Totally dude! Now built in the USA and exported to the world totally works for me! It sounds like this story is confined to the Indian market - for now at least. I just want to see those Wisconsin workers still workin!

I want to see that too and they will be. As long as the company does well, targets the markets where they can join in on the competition, they'll be fine. It's all about competition, making money and brand awareness. Exporting is good news.

 

[Raptor]

The shame here is that manufacturing jobs are moving elsewhere, which is forcing our stance as a nation to rethink its current strategy. This must involve the spending trends of the consumers.

We keep evolving toward a service society thats forgotten to remain able as a society, to also serve itself.

Interesting point. If we do not start making things here again we will lose the ability to innovate and will eventually lose our status in the world as a whole. The thought of this country becoming a dependant nation sickens me...

 

[MouthPiece]

But what will the dollar be worth and how much will a donut cost in 20 years? :dontknow:

Chris PE# 0004

 

[mdr]

:2thumbs::agree:

I don't think differences, or people embracing their race/ethnicity is what is pulling this country apart. Unfortunately, the history of our country (despite all the truly great things we have done) illustrates that we have not treated all Americans equally. Americans of Indian descent and Japanese descent had all legal rights and citizenship stripped by a racist supreme court, Jewish Americans were denied access to medical schools and ivy league universities, African-Americans were segregated, Japanese Americans were interned during WWII, Mexican Americans get pulled over in AZ and asked for proof of citizenship, etc. These things didn't happen hundreds of years ago, and there is overwhelming research that clearly illustrates the impact of these 'past sins' on people and communities today. Telling people to get over the past is like telling my family who lives in New York to get over 9/11. It seems hypocritical on one hand to tell people that we are all Americans (or just get out), and then on the other hand clearly treat people differently--personally and legally--based on their heritage. People who have historically been told that they are not 'real Americans' certainly have the right to claim their status as hyphenated Americans.

 

[Star Cruiser]

Totally dude! Now built in the USA and exported to the world totally works for me! It sounds like this story is confined to the Indian market - for now at least. I just want to see those Wisconsin workers still workin!

That is more accurate, AND a good thing. Built in the USA, is built in America, but Built in America is not necessisarily built in the US of A. There are Three Americas North, Central & South. I suppose if parts were from Mexico Brazil and Canada it would still be American.

Sorry just hit a nerve here as well. Canada of America, Mexico of America Brazil of America and United States of America are all just a part of America.

BUT we digress, the thread started as an article about Harley building bikes in India.....(of Asia)

 

[Firefly]

I agree with the bad rap angle. And though I don't care for everything they make there are a coupe of HDs I would LOVE to have in my garage, the V-Rod being one of them! I once had access to a classic HD like 20 some-odd years ago which was just kick-@ss! It was black with a cafe racer type style and fairing. Please forgive me, I am NOT a Harley expert by any means so I can't tell you what model it was! But this was a fantastic ride. So I would park that one in the garage as well.

Without getting political I also agree about the group that is fiercly loyal to the brand - I think MANY of them would really be turned off if they knew they were NOT buying the American machine. It would not be good for Harley at all...

Yeah-- I really like the Orange/Black color combo of V-rod. Pretty much the only bike from HD I could see myself owning. Saw one this summer decked out with a turbo.....:thumbup:

 

[Star Cruiser]

Yeah-- I really like the Orange/Black color combo of V-rod. Pretty much the only bike from HD I could see myself owning. Saw one this summer decked out with a turbo.....:thumbup:

I like the Copper / Black combo myself. BUT I really like the Spyder - In ANY and ALL colours !

 

[Raptor]

I like the Copper / Black combo myself. BUT I really like the Spyder - In ANY and ALL colours !

Yeah me too! Nobody wants me to get back on two wheels so the Spyder is the answer to my prayers. And I really really like my Spyders. To this point they have been wonderful - but I admit that I would like to get on 2 wheels again some day.

I have learned just recently how life can be cut short so some day a 2 wheeler WILL once again grace my garage. Just not now. Right now the Spyder is doin just fine!

 

[draboo]

I agree with the bad rap angle. And though I don't care for everything they make there are a coupe of HDs I would LOVE to have in my garage, the V-Rod being one of them! I once had access to a classic HD like 20 some-odd years ago which was just kick-@ss! It was black with a cafe racer type style and fairing. Please forgive me, I am NOT a Harley expert by any means so I can't tell you what model it was! But this was a fantastic ride. So I would park that one in the garage as well.

Without getting political I also agree about the group that is fiercly loyal to the brand - I think MANY of them would really be turned off if they knew they were NOT buying the American machine. It would not be good for Harley at all...

1978 XLCR is the motorcycle you are thinking of, I think.

I was a volunteer firefighter around 20 years ago. We were called to a fire where a barn was burning. The owner had one of these parked in the remains of the barn. His father had given it to him.

HD was bought out by AMF in 1970 and owned it until sometime around 1981 when it was bought back by HD. It was a bad time for HD, which was dealing with the Japanese invasion, practically no quality control at the factory, and the oil embargo didn't help matters either. I was rather surprised they survived. We used to call these made by AMF "bowling machines" Those bikes were rather horrific, BUT, thanks to AMF, HD's are still here today.

 

[DragonLorD]

But what will the dollar be worth and how much will a donut cost in 20 years? :dontknow:

Chris PE# 0004

will there still be a $ ? - maybe a global kind of currency? :dontknow:

 

[MouthPiece]

Perhaps the reminibi or yuan? :dontknow:

Chris PE# 0004

 

[Smylinacha]

I don't think differences, or people embracing their race/ethnicity is what is pulling this country apart. Unfortunately, the history of our country (despite all the truly great things we have done) illustrates that we have not treated all Americans equally. Americans of Indian descent and Japanese descent had all legal rights and citizenship stripped by a racist supreme court, Jewish Americans were denied access to medical schools and ivy league universities, African-Americans were segregated, Japanese Americans were interned during WWII, Mexican Americans get pulled over in AZ and asked for proof of citizenship, etc. These things didn't happen hundreds of years ago, and there is overwhelming research that clearly illustrates the impact of these 'past sins' on people and communities today. Telling people to get over the past is like telling my family who lives in New York to get over 9/11. It seems hypocritical on one hand to tell people that we are all Americans (or just get out), and then on the other hand clearly treat people differently--personally and legally--based on their heritage. People who have historically been told that they are not 'real Americans' certainly have the right to claim their status as hyphenated Americans.

There is a reason why we are having class warfare in this country, the gov't likes to keep people divided so people rely more on the gov't.

 

[Smylinacha]

Interesting point. If we do not start making things here again we will lose the ability to innovate and will eventually lose our status in the world as a whole. The thought of this country becoming a dependant nation sickens me...

Yes it sickens me too. Where I live, Bridgeport, CT used to be one the mfg hubs of the country. All gone now. Nothing but vacant, crumbling factory buildings and the city is riddled with crime. But what HD is doing is good news, they aren't canning any jobs, they are adding more, in another country to have market presence. I don't think HD will ever outsource the brand to another country. People will still be building them here. Sad when companies pick up and move out of our country and I don't like it one bit but there are reasons why they do and it's unfortunate. The price of labor in some companies have forced them to mfg elsewhere.

 

[Bob Denman]

Well somebody is still building something here in te U.S.A... :clap::roflblack:hyea::yes:

 

[spydee owner]

harleys assembled in india

This has been the problem with the U.S. economy for years. If one or two small companies design a product in the U.S. and have it all assembled in countries with cheap labour for export back to the U.S., not such a big deal. When Hundreds of U.S. companies do this to keep their shareholders happy with bigger profits then it is a disaster. It comes right down to corporate greed. When a country loses its manufacturing base its in big trouble. I think things have moved way to far now though to repair the damage. One does not have to look at India though ... just to Mexico.
When a huge symbol of U.S. pride and history like HD goes down this road, well, its just too bad.
In my opinion, what HD needs to do is move into the sport bike market. Continue to build the Vtwin but make a decent 4 cylinder sportbike. Build their own engine from scratch. There is a whole North American market that they choose to ignore because they continue to be in the Vtwin cruiser market. In my opinion also, they have way too many models of bikes that tend to duplicate each other.

 

[Smylinacha]

This has been the problem with the U.S. economy for years. If one or two small companies design a product in the U.S. and have it all assembled in countries with cheap labour for export back to the U.S., not such a big deal. When Hundreds of U.S. companies do this to keep their shareholders happy with bigger profits then it is a disaster. It comes right down to corporate greed. When a country loses its manufacturing base its in big trouble. I think things have moved way to far now though to repair the damage. One does not have to look at India though ... just to Mexico.
When a huge symbol of U.S. pride and history like HD goes down this road, well, its just too bad.
In my opinion, what HD needs to do is move into the sport bike market. Continue to build the Vtwin but make a decent 4 cylinder sportbike. Build their own engine from scratch. There is a whole North American market that they choose to ignore because they continue to be in the Vtwin cruiser market. In my opinion also, they have way too many models of bikes that tend to duplicate each other.

They also need to think outside the box and quit trying to sell the Sportster to women! They need to make a touring model, lighter in weight, fairing, everything the roadglide has for women who aren't as big as a man that rides them. Sportbike would be nice also but you can buy a jap model for much less so I don't think they'd do it, unless they made the price competitive with the jap bikes. They made a nice trike but there is no way I'd pay that amount of money for it. So those drawings with their version of the "reverse trike" that are out on the net..... wonder how much those will cost if it ever comes to fruition. I bet it will be a $40K reverse trike. I don't think they will export the entire business to other countries though. If they do, it will be a huge mistake. Fine to build them for other people in other countries, but keep the home base here for Americans.