Recommendations that would help the Harley Davidson company?

[Ginger]

I need to think of recommendations that would help the Harley Davidson company since its not doing too well right now??? any thoughts? This is for a school project. Thanks!

[Scooter]

The problems with the company, is not the bikes. But with the price, and the image. Harley is a small niche, motorcycle company that has been mismanaged. The company made the same mistakes, many, many, many other companies have. They over expanded/ ramped up production, to meet a demand. They had at one time, a one year waiting list for some bikes. Because of this, the company could charge more for the bikes. The image the company was and is marketing. Is geared to the middle aged rider and older rider, with a good job. The company was not interested, in young rider with little or no money. Why should they, when they had such a large waiting list.

The company also hyped, the 100th anniversary very hard for 2003. Ramping up production, so as many riders as possible. Had a bike by the 100th anniversary. But by doing so, they eliminated the back log. Plus people who only wanted a Harley, for the 100th anniversary. Started selling their bikes, as soon as it was over. Once the hype was over, sales dropped to pre hype numbers.

Now there was a glut of bikes on the market, with no one to buy new models. Everyone who wanted a Harley, now had one. The company was now making, more bikes than it was selling. The company started cutting back production, but the economy took such a dive. That people no longer have the kind of money needed, to buy a Harley.

The company needs, to cut production down. Till they have, a small back log. Eliminate, a top heavy management team. Cut prices across the board, OEM parts, as well as the new bikes. They will also, have to cut down on labor costs. Harley pays it's employs very well, for around here. No company, can afford to have more workers than it needs. Some will have to go.

The companies failure with Buel, was image and marketing. A Buel, doesn't fit in the Harley image. The company can indeed compete, with Honda. But they will have to, over come their image first. Both in the company itself and in, the market place.