Harley-Davidson Decides To Discontinue India Operations

[Paro_Peagus]

Very good decision. There are hardly any sales of foreign bikes as india has its own independent robust 2 wheeler market. Probably the biggest in the world too. Royal enfield alone has sales multi fold compared to harley davidson.

 

[beijingwalker]

Very good decision. There are hardly any sales of foreign bikes as india has its own independent robust 2 wheeler market.

Of course, India has its own independent robust market for everything.

 

[Paro_Peagus]

Of course, India has its own independent robust market for everything.

Just like china has a robust market for bats.

 

[khansaheeb]

Just like china has a robust market for bats.

and India for Kicks.

 

[beijingwalker]

Just like china has a robust market for bats.

China doesn't, India does.

 

[VCheng]

@VCheng what's the deal with the US motorcycle market?
I know the SUV craze has killed the passenger car...is that the same with the motorcycle market?

While overall size of the market is slightly down, the decrease in sales of big heavy bikes like HD have been hit far worse. Indeed, sales of middleweight bike are rising, with small city runabouts gaining as well. The adventure bike market remains very strong. The problem with HD is demographic, with a majority of its traditional market aging out of the hobby and not enough younger riders that can afford the relatively high prices. (That alone is enough to skew the average age and income statistics of the whole market.) HD does not really offer lighter or cheaper bikes, and thus it also has problems in a huge market like India (annual sales of about 17 million units). KTM was wise to offer lighter, smaller and cheaper bikes in that market and it has done rather well there.

 

[airmarshal]

Motorcycle sales in the US are flat

U.S. motorcycle sales | Statista

It is estimated that customers in the United States purchased about 468,000 new motorcycles in 2019.

www.statista.com

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View attachment 672999

@VCheng what's the deal with the US motorcycle market?
I know the SUV craze has killed the passenger car...is that the same with the motorcycle market?

12 Motorcycle Statistics That'll Floor You | The Motley Fool

The facts that explain the changing face of the motorcycle industry and those who support it.

www.fool.com

.
7. A graying market.
The median age of the typical motorcycle owner is 47, up from 32 in 1990 and 40 in 2009

The reason being that it takes longer now to afford such toys. Motorcycle is not a mode of transport here. Its a leisure thing. After settling down in life, raising kids, owning home and building substantial equity, people then have resources to spend money on motorbikes. Also the time to ride them. By the time people actually think of buying a motorbike, they are in late 40s or early 50s.

 

[airmarshal]

While overall size of the market is slightly down, the decrease in sales of big heavy bikes like HD have been hit far worse. Indeed, sales of middleweight bike are rising, with small city runabouts gaining as well. The adventure bike market remains very strong. The problem with HD is demographic, with a majority of its traditional market aging out of the hobby and not enough younger riders that can afford the relatively high prices. (That alone is enough to skew the average age and income statistics of the whole market.) HD does not really offer lighter or cheaper bikes, and thus it also has problems in a huge market like India (annual sales of about 17 million units). KTM was wise to offer lighter, smaller and cheaper bikes in that market and it has done rather well there.

Not just that. If I m in the market for a bike with no bias in favor of HD, I will hands down buy a BMW. Its an awesome bike and Harleys dont compare in quality.

 

[VCheng]

Not just that. If I m in the market for a bike with no bias in favor of HD, I will hands down buy a BMW. Its an awesome bike and Harleys dont compare in quality.

BMW has the 310 series bikes that are not only lighter and smaller, but also made in India. They also have a good midrange for customers to rise up to if they so desire.