| Author |
Message |
    
Ferris_von_bueller
| | Posted on Monday, August 18, 2008 - 04:46 pm: | 
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Perhaps it was simply a money lending scheme of some-sort. MV was in financial trouble. Like Trojan said, I ain't buyin the "we wanted more shelf space for HD products" I think HD has reached the saturation point and is a bit lost on how best to continue to grow. They already have their name on everything from beef jerky to hardhats. The problem w |
Tm74
| | Posted on Monday, August 18, 2008 - 05:43 pm: |
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That's very possible. I'm sure there is some type of investment potential in it of some sort, besides the "floor space."
I wonder if H-D has their name on any Bacon(notice the capitalization)? No real meal is complete without Bacon. It goes with everything. They could even add it to their clothing line. Who wouldn't want a jacket proudly displaying strips of Bacon? |
Ft_bstrd
| | Posted on Monday, August 18, 2008 - 05:51 pm: |
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What would be the attraction for MV if it were only a money play? If the interest rate were the same or higher than what they could get in the open market, what would be the attraction?
Conversely, if the interest rates were lower than what is prevalent in the market place, why would HD want to play?
My understanding was that HD assumed MV's current debt totaling $225M. I'm assuming they plan on getting that back. |
Ferris_von_bueller
| | Posted on Monday, August 18, 2008 - 06:09 pm: |
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I'm just throwing it out there as a possibility. Maybe MV couldn't get a loan, considering they were experiencing financial difficulties. Anyone know what MV's sales were for 07? |
Ft_bstrd
| | Posted on Monday, August 18, 2008 - 06:14 pm: |
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Not being confrontational. Just providing an alternative viewpoint.
Sorry it came off abrasive. |
Teddagreek
| | Posted on Monday, August 18, 2008 - 07:11 pm: |
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First thing first....
They need to go in and clean house and fire the Idiot suits who scuttled MV in the first place.. I've heard there was a lot of waste and excessive spending
No use buying the ship if you keep the drunk Captain..
What do they Gain?
Great Brand..
Technology and hard working people committed to the company..
Ability to help MV lower prices..
*Possibility of Buell being sold outside HD dealerships... 
Current MV dealers on approval could have the option to carry buell as well...
We have lost so many buell dealerships, It has to be very frustrating that your local dealer no longer sells buell or carrys parts and your only choice is to drive or order on the phone or net..
*Possibility of stand alone dealer ships..
MV's
Buell
Cagiva
Scooters
Other price Point motorcycles |
Reepicheep
| | Posted on Monday, August 18, 2008 - 07:26 pm: |
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225 Million... for that you "get" a top notch designer, several completely developed and highly competitive "niche" bikes, and a nearly legendary brand name.
MV, Like Buell, probably also has several "partially developed" designs, and HD got those as well.
And a dealer network is a dealer network, particularly in Europe, where I have to assume the nanny regulators and confiscatory taxing structure makes it pretty hard to do *anything* worth while 
I wonder if owning a EU company gives any advantages with exchange rates or taxing / tarriff?
Dunno if the math works, but there are some definite assets for HD there. |
Oddball
| | Posted on Monday, August 18, 2008 - 07:33 pm: |
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I hear good things about this Ducati/MV Dealer.
http://www.ducpond.com/
Might be an asset to Buell to see if Donnie Unger would be interested in carrying the line. |
Ft_bstrd
| | Posted on Monday, August 18, 2008 - 07:37 pm: |
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Ability to help MV lower prices..
I had a long drawn out debate on just this idea:
http://www.twowheelfix.com/f9/go-buy-an-mv-agusta- now-t1914/
They felt there was absolutely not possible way that HD could help to reduce costs. I felt differently.
I also feel that adding Buell to MV shops could help to increase distribution, but I don't think that a 100% swap over to MV shops is the answer unless the network is expanded. A dedicated MV/Buell dealership would be awesome as long as there is sufficient distribution. I don't want to have to drive 250 miles to buy or service a Buell. |
Court
| | Posted on Monday, August 18, 2008 - 10:15 pm: |
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Harley-Davidson, regardless of how your Sportster handled, how you feel about the Topper or the Softail, knows a thing or two about manufacturing motorcycles.
No manufacturer, none that survived anyway, has ever had their backs to the wall and rebounded like the Milwaukee folks.
I like to scamper about and poke at them from time to time but I never loose sight of the fact that they are VERY GOOD at what they do.
They also don't let their fingers get pried from cash easily.
They have a plan.
What if it had not one thing to do with any of the possible scenarios mentioned thus far? |
Slaughter
| | Posted on Monday, August 18, 2008 - 10:18 pm: |
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Gee - this IS more fun than the 2010 model speculation!
(Oh, wait a minute... has the speculation started yet???) |
Ferris_von_bueller
| | Posted on Monday, August 18, 2008 - 10:27 pm: |
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What if it had not one thing to do with any of the possible scenarios mentioned thus far?
I tend to believe you're correct. Care to throw your two cents into the speculation? |
Buellinachinashop
| | Posted on Monday, August 18, 2008 - 10:33 pm: |
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Associated Press Aug. 2010
East Troy, WI:
Buell Motorcyle Company has announced plans to build the industry's first high performance 3-wheeled trike. "We've finally come to the realization that our core customers aren't getting any younger and we needed to find a way to keep them upright and mobile", said Erik Buell, CTO of BMC.
On a side note, Court Canfield will be making a publicity tour around the country promoting the new "bike" along with his latest book, "25 Years of Buell Flushed Down the Toilet by Harley Davidson".
Buell Motorcycle Company is currently owned by Bombardier, a purchase made while Harley Davidson was filing Federal bankruptcy in May of 2009.
(Message edited by buellinachinashop on August 18, 2008) |
Court
| | Posted on Tuesday, August 19, 2008 - 07:10 am: |
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I can go you a press release that's much better than that . . .
These are great times. |
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