| Author | Message | ||
     407guy |
http://news.moneycentral.msn.com/provider/provider article.aspx?feed=PR&date=20091015&id=10494879 | ||
| 407guy |
Retail Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Sales Decline Moderates from 2nd Quarter Operating Loss at Finance Unit Impacts Profit Strategy Focuses on Extending Harley-Davidson Brand, Emphasizes Productivity and Strengthening Core Business Company to Discontinue Buell Product Line, Divest MV Agusta *** Harley-Davidson also unveiled major elements of its go-forward business strategy to drive growth through a single-minded focus of efforts and resources on the unique strengths of the Harley-Davidson brand, and to enhance productivity and profitability through continuous improvement. As approved yesterday by Harley-Davidson's Board of Directors, the Company will discontinue its Buell product line and divest its MV Agusta unit as part of this strategy. *** Details of Buell and MV Agusta Actions The Company will discontinue production of Buell motorcycles. Remaining inventories of Buell motorcycles, accessories and apparel, while they last, will continue to be sold through authorized dealerships. Warranty coverage will continue as normal for Buell motorcycles and the Company will provide replacement parts and service through dealerships. *** | ||
| Just_john |
http://www.buell.com/en_us/ | ||
| Palmer |
are they fool?? why not sell it instead? where's american free market? | ||
| Crackhead |
wtf | ||
| Slojon |
DARN, I hate it when I'm right. Not to worry, the Enthusiasts should take care of the product. | ||
| 407guy |
Wow, that Erik Buell clip on the website is kinda sad. Looks like he hasn't slept in 3 days... | ||
| Tripper |
http://www.jsonline.com/business/64352232.html This is the day that Erik was planning for when he kept 2% of the Buell Motorcycel Company (or whatever it is) He ain't done yet. Buell MV???? | ||
| Bluzm2 |
I'm stunned.. My heart goes out to the entire Buell family, employees and faithful customers. I think HD just made a MAJOR mistake. I hope I am proven right.. This is truly a gray day.... Brad | ||
| Bluzm2 |
Did everyone see the "divest MV" part above? | ||
| Joliet_jim |
even the Guzzi forum picked this up early this morning, really sad, I was hoping for a uly soon, but not this soon. Hopefully there will still be a future, they are great bikes | ||
| Murraebueller |
It's on HD net today, so it's official. Warranties will be honored and parts provided through HD dealers. A sad day indeed. | ||
| Kootenay |
I just saw the clip on Buell's site, and I'm shocked. Yeah, I heard the rumours, but I never believed them. I can't imagine ever selling my Buell now. I have an 03 Firebolt, I guess it just became an instant classic... | ||
| Oddball |
Hoped those rumors were wild speculation. Sad. Ok, where's the buy it from their grip movement? How much money do you think it would take? | ||
| California |
SAD SAD SAD | ||
| Yttikcat |
This makes me sick to my stomach. The people at Harley Davidson are just stupid. I cried when I watched the Eric Buell tape | ||
| Dark_ninja |
I'm deeply saddened by this news. | ||
| Buell2001b |
Its a sad day for Buellers. I feel like a piece of me has been ripped. It hurts becuase I see a man and his employees suffer the consequenses of a bad economy. I see all the buells racers for next year out of a job. I see an "American Dream" being being destroyed by Harley Davidson. Isn't there a rich group of Texans that can do with Buell, with what they did with Ducati! I feel bad for all the suppliers that have been making buell accesories. Please someone buy the Buell Company. | ||
| Tedk |
Very sad to hear the news. But, in this economy it is no surprise. | ||
| Thunderbox |
They probably think they will sell 9000 more HDs a year now that the Buell line is finished. Wrong I will never buy a HD motorcycle ever again. I will do my best to convince others to do the same. I guess you could say I am a bit pissed. | ||
| Yttikcat |
The more I think about this the madder I get. What are they thinking? I knew they had stopped making a bike called the "Blast" and I could deal with that even though I have a Blast, but closing production entirely - is just stupid! | ||
| Bud |
I never seen a sad Erik, as in the clip, writing this with tears in my eyes, all my thoughts are with all Erik and the Elves and there famalies, who will go true a very ruff time, taking apart the compagnie where passion and love for the brand was so big. bud | ||
| Fast2win |
Just the other day motorcycle daily reported V.W. had been interested in a motorcycle co. Would'nt that be something. I hope Eric can keep his dream alive some how. What shit timing just as his 1125R/RR has had such great success. That video on the Buell site is hard to watch, Eric looked like he was about to cry. I bought my 1st new bike ever in 95 a beautiful S-2 saphire blue w/pm wheels. I wonder if he still plans on racing, I doubt it. What of Eslick and RMR? | ||
| Gpurdue |
Have you ever seen a guy so close to tears? Me too. | ||
| Mr1spd |
I think we all need to write HD each and every one of us. Then a letter to a senator anything and everything we can to show our passion for "Made in USA" . Also Eric has done a lot and been through a lot. I hope this time he comes out even stronger as he has done before.......todd | ||
| Vasiliy_ru |
Very bad news  | ||
| X1tx |
Odd that they wouldn't try to sell the unit off rather than shutter the division. Many of their models are fairly fuel efficient. Focusing on fuel efficiency could yield results when gas goes back to $OH MY GOSH per gallon again (which it will soon). An XB/CX with some slim line hard bags and tuned for fuel economy could be a killer little commuter bike. MUCH better than a scooter IMO. | ||
| Thespive |
How can it just be discontinued??? There is money out there, we are proof! --Sean | ||
| Daveswan |
Erik looks like he had a cry-face... they can't go away just like that! But I suppose they can like the old Indian, Vincent etc. Some things have a way of being reborn after a time. Need a good investor and marketing plan. I'd never buy a Harley, sorry harley people, but they aren't comfortable for me and I like the feeling of a motocross bike and handling. So if I didn't have my tube frame I'd be driving a Ducati. Speaking of Ducati who doesn't seem to be going anyplace with their own tube frame - If Buell kept moving forward with performance but at the same time reintroduced the tubers they might kept some more people signing on that would go for a more conventional appearing bike that would compete more with the Monsters and maybe they'd have more appeal in the Europe market... And also I think the 1200 might be to large for certain folk so if they again looked at Ducati perhaps a 600+ v-twin? I think the Blast wasn't quite right in a single. At least a 600 Monster looked and sounded like a 750, 800, 900, 1100 etc. In Europe Honda sells a 250 with a tube frame that looks exactly like a Monster. I sort-of think the race orientation is to separate from these people like myself in the middle. I could maybe ride that new XR1200 if someone gave it to me, but that is almost too much a throwback. I think tubers are in the middle and the naked sportbike is what appeals to me. What do I know. Well, I know Harley profits are down 84% so something with the core brand isn't working but they insist on doing the same thing and focus on their core brand, and I know I wouldn't buy a Harley in a million years. I know I'm keeping my tuber forever! | ||
| Aptbldr |
Woof. Erik's video clip squashes my hopes for rebirth. He says plainly, "We will no longer be building Buell motorcycles." Repeatedly used past-tense with reference to "we" and "Buell motorcycles".  Maybe H-D will be able to embrace/absorb his motorcycles' qualities & innovations. Say's he's staying on ... |
