Harley-Davidson Profit Slips, but Shipments In Line With Expectations
Harley-Davidson Inc. posted lower earnings and revenue during the third quarter as motorcycle shipments declined as expected, reported The Wall Street Journal. The company’s earnings topped analysts’ expectations, however, while the top line fell short. The motorcycle maker has sought to reach beyond its traditional, middle-aged target audience with smaller bikes geared toward younger customers. ... Read More »
Harley-Davidson Inc. posted lower earnings and revenue during the third quarter as motorcycle shipments declined as expected, reported The Wall Street Journal.
The company’s earnings topped analysts’ expectations, however, while the top line fell short.
The motorcycle maker has sought to reach beyond its traditional, middle-aged target audience with smaller bikes geared toward younger customers. While demand has been somewhat stable—dealers sold 3.4% more new motorcycles in the most recent period—shipments have slipped as of late.
In the most recent quarter, Harley said it shipped 50,670 motorcycles to dealers and distributors, an decrease of 6.2% from a year earlier, in line with the company’s expectation as it had planned to scale back.
Harley in July had cut its shipment forecast for the year to 270,000 to 275,000 bikes from its previous call of 279,000 to 284,000. Earlier this year, the company also recalled several thousand motorcycles due to an ignition switch problem that could cause the vehicles to stall during operation.
For the period ended Sept. 28, Harley posted earnings of $150.1 million, or 69 cents a share, down from $162.7 million, or 73 cents a share, a year earlier.
Revenue decreased 4.2% to $1.13 billion.
Analysts had projected 59 cents a share in earnings and $1.14 billion in revenue, according to Thomson Reuters.
More Industry

Ohio Auto Group Under New Ownership
After 79 years with the Schluter family, Mansfield Auto Group has been acquired by Missouri-based Clement Auto Group.
Read More →
RV Group Expands Carolina Footprint
Blue Compass RV Columbia Northeast is the 13th RV dealership owned by Blue Compass in the Carolinas.
Read More →
Agent Acumen
An Agent Summit panel of people who’ve been supporting auto dealers for years gave both timely and timeless advice for those starting out or mulling the prospect.
Read More →
Missed Maintenance Creates Opportunity
As families get back on the road and into daily school routines, service drives have an opportunity to capture customers who are behind on recommended vehicle maintenance.
Read More →
Mitsubishi Unveils U.S. Plan
The automaker announced a strategy that includes an expanded lineup and dealership presence, along with more ‘rugged’ and electric models.
Read More →
Selling to Grow
The question of whether you should sell your agency and if so, when, is up to you. But it’s a question worth asking to ensure you keep the business on the right path for yourself, employees and clients.
Read More →
Recalled Vehicles Hit 5-Year High
Though the number of events has fallen so far this year, impacted units are up significantly. Meanwhile, regulators consider consumer notification changes.
Read More →
Auto Group Acquires Top-Performing Rooftop
Car Pros sold its Kia Huntington Beach location to Sutherlin Automotive Group, marking the buyer’s third location in Southern California.
Read More →
China as Pacesetter
Automotive leaders huddled on where North America stands in the global picture and how it can strengthen its position against the Asian juggernaut’s surging industry.
Read More →
BMW Concept Car Makes Fuel to Burn
The prototype developed in concert with a South Carolina university engineering team generates more solar energy than it uses in a typical daily commute.
Read More →