Milwaukee, WI, USA (April 10, 2025) - Harley-Davidson Motor Company is exploring options for its financing arm including a sale, which could fetch at least US$1 billion, according to sources familiar with the matter. The iconic motorcycle maker is working with an adviser to solicit interest in Harley-Davidson Financial Services, or HDFS, said the sources, who asked to not be identified because the information is not public. The business could appeal to potential buyers including regional banks, private equity firms and private credit players, the sources added.
Harley-Davidson has not made a final decision on pursuing a sale of the unit and could opt to keep it, the sources said. A representative for the Milwaukee-based company declined to comment. The potential sale comes as Harley-Davidson grapples with a lagging stock price, lackluster sales growth and stiff competition from rivals including Honda Motor and BMW. Harley-Davidson announced this week that chief executive officer Jochen Zeitz plans to step down, wrapping up a five-year tenure.
Harley-Davidson fell 9.3 per cent to close at US$21.49 in New York trading on Thursday (Apr 10), giving the company a market value of about US$2.7 billion. The stock has fallen 48 per cent in the past year. HDFS helps the company’s dealers finance their inventory and helps consumers finance the purchase of Harley-Davidson and LiveWire motorcycles. It also works with third parties to provide motorcycle insurance.
Milwaukee, WI, USA (April 8, 2025) - Harley-Davidson Motor Company announced on Tuesday, April 8, that the company’s Board of Directors is engaged in an ongoing CEO search process. The search process was initiated in Q4 2024 after CEO Jochen Zeitz expressed his interest in retiring. Zeitz had been a member of the Harley-Davidson Board of Directors since 2007 and was named CEO in February 2020.
Zeitz will remain as CEO until the board appoints a successor. "The Board is grateful to Mr. Zeitz for his many significant contributions to the Company as CEO". These contributions include, but are not limited to, the creation and successful execution of the Hardwire, the Company's five-year strategic plan (2021-2025), reinvigorating the brand, and his leadership during one of the most challenging operating environments in the history of the Company."
Zeitz, 65, grew up in Germany and went to school in Germany, Italy, France, and the United States. He's a graduate of the European Business School in International Marketing and Finance. He's been riding motorcycles since he was a teenager.
Arua, Uganda, (May 20, 2022)BSB - More than 100 people, mainly motorcyclists in West Nile sub region are in shock after failing to get motorcycles for which they made hefty deposits. Officials of Sky Motors Limited, the company they say they deposited money to get motorcycles, has vanished and officials switched off their phones.
Sky Motors Limited opened an office in Manibe ward, Ayivu Division in Arua city early last month, after allegedly getting clearance from the division authorities to offer motorcycle and tricycle loan services.
According to the company guidelines, each interested rider was expected to make an initial deposit of between sh680,000 and sh4,000,000 out of the required sh6.8 million to access a motorcycle and sh10 million for the tricycle. Potential clients were then expected to make either a weekly or monthly payment for a motorcycle or tricycle while those who can afford can also pay cash.
The company had promised to deliver motorcycles and tricycles for the applicants on Sunday afternoon during a “mega launch”. However, on Saturday, some of the affected clients who had come to clear their outstanding initial deposits ahead of the launch were shocked when they arrived at the company’s office and found no officials in office.
After waiting in vain for the officials to arrive, the affected clients rushed to the nearby Manibe Police station in shock to report the matter but were later referred to Arua central police station.
Stephen Droma , one of the affected boda boda riders says that he paid shillings 1.36 million for two motorcycles and the company promised to deliver his motorcycles during the launch which never materialized.
Meanwhile, Flavia Adiru, a single mother from Katrini sub county in Terego district who lost shillings 2 million wants the city authorities to intervene noting that many of the affected clients borrowed money from SACCOs to secure the motorcycles.
Elmahad Salim, the chairperson of Arua city Boda Boda Association, told URN that he has received a list of at least 80 of his members who made partial payments to Sky Motors Company Ltd. He however faults Ayivu division authorities for issuing a trading license to company without due diligence.
Alice Akello, the Arua Resident City commissioner says that the company officials had been moving on different radio stations in Arua City popularizing their business as genuine. Akello however cautioned the residents to be extra vigilant in dealing with companies whose registration status is not known .
This is not the first time residents in the sub region have been conned by fake motorcycle companies who purport to offer motorcycle loan. In 2019, hundreds of businessmen, teachers, and boda boda cyclists in West Nile and Acholi sub regions were fleeced by Easy Boda-Boda Company Ltd in yet another motorcycle loan scam.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA (May 19, 2022)BSB -Harley-Davidson officials say the company is suspending production at its York County plant for the unforeseeable future. The news sank Harley's stock price nearly 9% shortly before Thursday’s market open.
According to a company press release, the decision was made "out of an abundance of caution, is based on information provided by a third-party supplier to Harley-Davidson late on Tuesday concerning a regulatory compliance matter relating to the supplier’s component part.”
The company says it's temporarily halting all vehicle production and shipments at the vehicle assembly plant in Springettsbury Township due to a supply chain related matter. The production suspension excludes Harley-Davidson's new LiveWire electric bike. As of May 19, it's unclear how many employees will be impacted and for how long.
MILWAUKEE, May 19, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Yesterday, Harley-Davidson, Inc. ("Harley-Davidson") (NYSE:HOG) took the decision to suspend all vehicle assembly and shipments (excluding LiveWire) for a two-week period. This decision, taken out of an abundance of caution, is based on information provided by a third-party supplier to Harley-Davidson late on Tuesday (5/17) concerning a regulatory compliance matter relating to the supplier's component part.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA (March 19, 2020) BSB — Harley-Davidson has been closely watching the coronavirus situation since January and are taking proactive measures in the interest of health and safety of its employees, dealers and consumers.
The company is temporarily suspending the majority of production at its U.S. manufacturing facilities through March 29 to help support employee health and further bolster coronavirus containment efforts.
Facilities affected are York Vehicle Operations in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin facilities Tomahawk Operations and Pilgrim Road Powertrain Operations.
“We recognize the unprecedented nature of this global crisis. In order to best support our employees and following the social distancing guidance issued by public health authorities, we are temporarily suspending the majority of production at our U.S. manufacturing facilities,” said Jochen Zeitz, acting CEO and president, Harley-Davidson. “We will continue to monitor the situation and take necessary steps to prioritize employee health and safety.”
Harley-Davidson officials said they will continue monitoring the situation closely and make additional adjustments as necessary in accordance with World Health Organization and Center for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. The majority of its United States production employees will be on temporary layoff with medical benefits. The company will use this idle time to continue their deep cleaning and disinfecting its production areas and common areas to further protect workers for when they return back to work.
Harley-Davidson closed its Pilgrim Road Powertrain Operations facility after an employee tested positive for coronavirus and is thoroughly cleaning and disinfecting the building, per the company’s coronavirus response protocol.
On Monday, Harley-Davidson asked employees at its Milwaukee-area headquarters and Product Development Center, except those business-critical roles that must be done onsite, to work remotely through at least the end of March.
The plant in Springettsbury had about 950 employees in 2018 when the company announced it would add an additional 450 there because Harley-Davidson was shuttering its facility in Kansas City. The Springettsbury plant had about 2000 employees a decade earlier.
Earlier Wednesday, General Motors, Ford and Fiat Chrysler suspended all of their North American production plants to mitigate the spread of the virus.
Additionally, the company is proactively working with its dealers to assess individual impacts and its encouraging dealers to follow the public health guidelines in their communities for the safety of its consumers. In accordance with social distance guidelines, all Harley-Davidson sponsored events have been cancelled until mid-April.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA (February 29, 2020) BSB — Harley-Davidson, Inc. has announced that Matthew Levatich has stepped down as President and CEO and as a member of the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors has appointed Jochen Zeitz as acting President and CEO, a current board member who has also been named Chairman of the Board. Current Chairman of the Board, Michael Cave, is now Presiding Director.
The company plans to use an external search firm to undertake a search for a new CEO, and a further announcement will be made at a later date.
"The Board and Matt mutually agreed that now is the time for new leadership at Harley-Davidson," said Zeitz in a statement. "Matt was instrumental in defining the More Roads to Harley-Davidson accelerated plan for growth, and we will look to new leadership to recharge our business. On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Matt for his 26 years of service to Harley-Davidson. He has worked tirelessly to navigate the Company through a period of significant industry change while ensuring the preservation of one of the most iconic brands in the world."
Harley has been struggling with declining sales in the U.S., its biggest market, as it tries to adapt to an aging customer base while looking to expand markets overseas.
The announcement of the leadership change, made after the markets closed, pushed Harley’s shares up 5% in after-hours trading. They had fallen 2.3% with the broader markets during the trading day.
Harley’s closing share price Friday was down 18% for the year.
Harley reported a net profit of $423.6 million in 2019, but it made only $13.5 million in the fourth quarter.
Levatich will assist with the transition through the end of March. Harley-Davidson, Inc. was founded in 1903.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA (February 19, 2020) BSB — Seeking a bigger share of India, the world’s largest motorcycle market, Harley-Davidson has reportedly been in talks with Hero MotoCorp, a manufacturer of small bikes and scooters based in India.
While a partnership doesn't appear imminent, Hero Chairman Pawan Munjal was quoted by The Times of India saying that if Harley wants it, “The sooner it happens, it’s good for everyone.”
It would not be surprising that Harley-Davidson, the world’s largest maker of heavyweight motorcycles would want to collaborate with Hero, one of the world’s largest motorcycle manufacturers, to gain a better foothold in Asia.
A prototype of the Harley-Davidson motorcycle to be manufactured in China with Zheijiang Qianjiang Motorcycle Co. Ltd. for sale in Asia.
Harley has partnered with a Chinese manufacturer to build small bikes for China, and it opened an assembly plant in Thailand to produce most of the company's motorcycles sold in the European Union, China and Southeast Asia.
"This is the era of partnerships, and when the right kind of partnership comes our way, or we are able to get around to one, we would be willing to do that," Munjal was quoted as saying.
India is an important market for Harley-Davidson, especially as it continues to develop smaller, more versatile motorcycles and its U.S. sales have declined for 12 consecutive quarters.
The company is committed to having a more accessible bike in India, but anything else is "rumors and speculation," said Harley-Davidson spokeswoman Patricia Sweeney.
Hero has a history in Wisconsin, having once owned a 49% share of the former EBR Racing, a motorcycle manufacturer in East Troy founded by former Harley executive and motorcycle racer Erik Buell.
Eight years ago, Hero brought in Buell bike designers from East Troy to work with its 300-member research team in India. Hero also had a technology agreement with Buell for engineering support and sponsored Buell’s U.S. racing team.
Hero was formerly known as Hero Honda, a joint venture with Honda Motor Co. that ended in 2010. After the split, Hero shopped for a new technology partner and found Buell. The partnership also gave Hero a presence in the U.S. marketplace.
The partnership didn’t last long, though, as Buell closed its East Troy plant in 2015 with bikes left unfinished on the assembly line and the company filing for Chapter 128 receivership, a state court procedure similar to bankruptcy.
EBR was the sequel to Erik Buell Racing, which was a sequel to Buell Motorcycle Co., which Harley-Davidson owned for more than a decade before dropping the brand in 2008.
Worcester, Massachusetts, USA (February 2, 2020) BSB — For decades, the Miss Worcester Diner has served up countless meals, but this week it was owner Kim Kniskern getting served with a cease and desist letter.
Sign outside the Miss Worcester Diner
“As I’m digesting what I’m reading I’m thinking, ‘I can’t believe that this is happening right now,’” Kniskern said.
The issue is a Harley-Davidson logo on top of the diner. About three years ago, Kim had it painted as a tribute to the motorcycle company she loves.
“I was trying to draw in a biker crowd,” she explained. “That was my goal.”
But Harley-Davidson’s goal is to protect its brand and the company wants it gone.
“I don’t have the kind of money to fight Harley-Davidson,” she said. “After I read the letter, I immediately texted Tony, the artist that did it.”
“She got the letter, like a bomb. It was just kind of like, it was disappointing,” Tony Freitas said. “It’s a tribute to Harley because she loves riding Harleys.”
Kim Kniskern, owner of Miss Worcester Diner (WBZ-TV)
Now the community is rallying to support the diner in this legal battle, hoping an online petition will sway the motorcycle company to let it ride. So far, more than 1900 people have signed.
“Is there something that has to be written near it, or around so that we’re not trying to cash in on your logo,” said customer Rita Flagg.
Harley-Davidson didn’t immediately respond for comment. While Kim weighs her options on what to do about the painting, she’s been blown away by the response from friends, customers and complete strangers.
“I am so humbled by the all love and support just from my community alone,” Kniskern said.
Kniskern is optimistic she will be able to keep the logo, but if she has to take it down, she feels like she’s already won after all the support she’s gotten from the community.
Los Angeles, California, USA (January 28, 2020) BSB — The legendary Easyriders Magazine, named with a nod to the eponymous cult film classic, celebrates its 50th Anniversary with a new relaunch under the ownership of fashion leader Pepper Foster, who plans to advance the iconic label in the global market.
The debut issue features Norman Reedus on the cover photographed by Brian Bowen Smith, supermodel Erin Wasson and the band Wild Belle.
Easyriders was established in 1970 as a platform for motorcycle enthusiasts to immerse in the rugged, on-the-road lifestyle championed by the counterculture movement and legends such as Steve McQueen, Peter Fonda, and Dennis Hopper.
Over five decades, the brand has become synonymous with a free-spirited lifestyle. Under new leadership, Easyriders will expand the vision of what it means to be a motorcycle enthusiast in the 21st Century.
“I’m so proud and excited to introduce the iconic Easyriders brand to a new generation – and to expand this powerhouse label to partners worldwide through licensing our brand with likeminded partners,” said Pepper Foster, co-founder of the pioneering fashion label, Chip and Pepper. “We see endless opportunities to expand the Easyriders branded products to the apparel, lifestyle and home markets.”
In addition to the brand’s new iteration, Easyriders has revised and re imagined its celebrated print product as of January 2020. The niche monthly will transform to a quarterly publication expanding coverage to include travel, art, design, style, and entertainment, alongside its mainstay features on the movers and shakers of the moto world. Easyriders will add to its event and major-label product collaborations.
Easyriders magazine and its new website launched January 2020.
Laughlin, Nevada, USA (January 16, 2020) BSB — After 37 years, the future of the Laughlin River Run is a mystery. What is less of a mystery is that the event typically held in late April isn’t on anyone’s calendar this year.
The longstanding promoter of the event, Dal-Con Promotions, of California and Nevada, have no listings for the 2020 run on their websites which are dark, and no one at Dal-Con is answering the phones when called directly.
Emails left on the Dal-Con website have so far gone unanswered and the Laughlin Chamber of Commerce has unlisted the event from its calendar due to lack of timely communication — that is, they haven’t heard from Dal-Con or anyone else in the time frame necessary to bring the event together.
An official communique from the Laughlin Chamber of Commerce to the Laughlin Nevada Times, the chamber said, “The promoter of 37 years has not been in communication with the Laughlin Chamber of Commerce, Laughlin Tourism Commission or Laughlin resort properties.
Additionally, the Laughlin River Run and Dal-Con Promotions websites have gone dark. Without promoter communication, the Laughlin River Run has been removed from our event calendar.”
The Edgewater and Colorado Belle resort casinos posted dates and even room specials for this year’s 2020 River Run during last years outing, suggesting the dates for the 2020 event would be April 23-25.
Multiple calls to Dal-Con and a major sponsor of the event — Law Tigers, a motorcycle specific law firm — have yielded no solid answers.
When the possibility of no run in 2020 was posted to a Laughlin social media site, several people responded passed along information that they had heard the event had been canceled. Some blamed the resort properties, others blamed the promoter.
Several people who contacted the Laughlin Nevada Times and the Mohave Valley Daily News to inquire about the event’s immediate future said they weren’t surprised that it unceremoniously had come to an end.
“It’s been going downhill for some time,” said one caller from California, who added he had added at least 10 previous River Runs. “It used to be a big deal.”
There has been consistent decline in numbers for the event that routinely drew more than 20,000 motorcycle enthusiasts with an estimated 70,000 participating in it in 2005, earning it the title of the largest motorcycle gathering west of the Rocky Mountains.
The decline has been attributed to a number of factors: the novelty has worn off; competing events at the same time frame; economic issues — especially during the Great Recession of the late 2000's to early 2010's; police presence and other policies that some said they felt stifled the event; and an absence of new attractions.
The River Run historically has been a big economic boon for not only Laughlin and the resort properties but also to Bullhead City, Oatman, Kingman, Lake Havasu City and surrounding communities. It also has been used as a springboard for several charity poker runs and for other events geared toward motorcycle enthusiasts and their families.
As for the long-term future of the event, no one seems to know — or at least isn’t saying — if the River Run can be resurrected or reimaged.
For now it’s wait and see
Given the longevity of the event, it is entirely possible that bikers may show up anyway simply based on habit. “It’s April so it’s time to go to Laughlin.”
For the moment, however, it seems that the original, organized, and titled Laughlin River Run will not be held this year.
UPDATE 1/17/2020
After this story broke, they updated their website, it may be a go.
York, Pennsylvania, USA (March 21, 2019) BSB — The Harley-Davidson plant just off Route 30 in Springettsbury Township was evacuated Wednesday afternoon because of a bomb threat.
Workers were sent home for the day, according to a company spokeswoman.
Springettsbury Township Police were called to the 1425 Eden Road plant about 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 20.
The building was evacuated while police searched it, officials said.
The incident did not affect Route 30 traffic, according to a 911 supervisor.
On Wednesday afternoon, Harley-Davidson spokeswoman Patricia Sweeney sent an email to media confirming there was a bomb threat.
"In the interest of employee safety — which is always our highest priority — we have evacuated all employees from the York facility and asked employees to leave for the day," Sweeney wrote.
She said the plant is working with local police investigating the threat and will release updates "when we have more information."
An hour later, Sweeney announced that the building and property were searched, "and no threat was found."
She said employees have been contacted to return to work.
Milwaukee Wisconsin, USA (February 12, 2019) BSB — Ahead of its closing later this year, Harley-Davidson (NYSE: HOG) put its Kansas City factory on the market for $26.5 million.
The 507,729-square-foot plant is located at 11401 North Congress Avenue in the Northland.
It sits on 314 acres about five miles east of Kansas City International Airport. The list price includes a paint booth system that originally cost $30 million.
Cushman & Wakefield is handling the sale for Harley and could not comment on the listing.
The plant currently has a 600-person skilled workforce until May, and those people would like to keep working at the plant, according to a LinkedIn post.
It "could be a real bargain for the right business," Kerr said in the LinkedIn post.
The plant has been the center of controversy since Harley's surprise announcement in January 2018 that it would shutter its Kansas City operations and lay off its 800-person workforce. The closing has kicked off several public disputes with the union representing the plant's workers as well as the Trump Administration and local officials.
As part of Kansas City Business Journal's Top Area Manufacturers List, the union representing workers at the Kansas City plant reported that employment at the manufacturer had fallen by 251 — the largest drop on this year's List. That leaves just 432 workers as the plant heads for a permanent shutdown in the third quarter of this year.
The plant was built about two decades ago for roughly $85 million.
At the time, the city of Kansas City, Platte County, the school district and private contributors put together a $6.3 million package. That included a crucial pledge by then-Mayor Emanuel Cleaver to cover about $3 million in state-mandated environmental controls. The state also approved Enhanced Enterprise Zone grants that could have provided as much as $20 million in tax credits.
MILWAUKEE, WI — (July 9th, 2016) The federal government is investigating complaints from Harley-Davidson owners who say their motorcycle brakes failed without warning.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the investigation covers 430,000 motorcycles with model years from 2008 through 2011. The investigation stems from bikes with an anti-lock braking system, according to NHTSA.
Riders reported that the brakes on the hand lever and foot pedal did not work, causing one driver to crash into a garage door. Government regulators said they received 43 complaints, three reports of crashes and two reports of injuries.
Regulators said it is possible that some riders who experienced brake failure did not change the motorcycle's brake fluid every two years as recommended by Milwaukee-based Harley-Davidson Inc.
Harley-Davidson motorcycles roll through an automated assembly line
The investigation is not a motorcycle product safety recall. Harley-Davidson said it is aware of the investigation and is cooperating with regulators.
Harley-Davidson said it is cooperating with regulators in a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigation into complaints by owners who say their motorcycle brakes failed without warning.
The Orange County Choppers (OCC) World Headquarters is on the auction block. The property was built in 2008
specifically for the OCC. Details are below.
Property showings will be offered on Thursday, February 25th and
Thursday, March 3rd between 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM local time. Great opportunity to acquire a 61,305 SF mixed-use property and
approximately 1 acre located in Newburgh, NY. Orange County Choppers,
the single tenant occupier of the space, currently has a mix of office,
industrial, retail, dining and bowling alley in the recently built
two-story building.
The brand recognition of the current tenant is the
result of a popular reality television show which showcased their
operations leading it to become a destination location for local
residents and fans from a wide geography.
Orange County Choppers Cafe
The property is prominently
located at the intersection of the New York State Thruway (I-87), I-84
and U.S. Route 17K allowing easy access and visibility. The property is also adjacent to Stewart International Airport
served by JetBlue, Delta and US Airways.
The current
layout of the 61,305 SF building is: a combined 20,000 SF for retail
store, restaurant, and bowling alley operations on the 1st floor of
building adjacent to the showroom displaying their customize motorcycles
and the industrial portion of the building. The second floor office
space has been vacated by the tenant and could be leased to other
tenants. The property has a total of 178 parking spots with large
portion of the parking available in covered garage below the building.
Property Address is: 14 Crossroads Court, Newburgh, NY, 12550
