Harley Davidson Moves Some Manufacturing Overseas

[Biketographer]

This is "old news," but I finally got around to look into it.  Local dealer had 5 Pan America new on the floor.  They all had the VIN start with MLY which indicates "manufactured in Thailand."

from:  https://www.jsonline.com/story/money/business/2024/08/08/harley-davidson-moving-more-motorcycle-production-to-thailand/74721508007/

"Harley-Davidson's announcement to ship our work and jobs to Thailand is a kick in the teeth to American workers and a betrayal of the company's legacy as an American icon. In (2019), nearly 600 IAM members at Harley-Davidson and Syncreon in Kansas City lost their jobs when the company shuttered its facility, claiming that its Thailand plant would only serve the Asian and European markets," he added.

The Harleys that will be produced in Thailand include the popular Pan America adventure bike and the Sport series comprised of the Sportster, Nightster and Nightster Special, all using the company's Revolution-Max engine. Production of Harley's more expensive touring bikes, trikes, and Softail models will remain in the U.S., according to the company.

From:  https://wilkinsharley.com/news-article/57791/harley-davidson-moving-production-overseas we read this. 

This decision is not about moving away from American manufacturing but rather about optimizing production capacity for its core product segments (Touring, Softail, Trike)—those motorcycles that have become legends on the American road. By shifting some production overseas, Harley-Davidson is making room to increase the capacity for its most popular models: the Grand American Touring series, the Softail line, and the Trike motorcycles.  When a dealer calls the factory and says "My good customer needs a 2024 Street Glide in Whiskey Fire and doesn't want to wait," we are often unable to pull that off in short order.  We may wait a couple months.  When was the last time you waited a couple months for a vehicle?   You didn't and you don't.  You buy something else.  Americans are not waiters.  We can barely wait 10 minutes for a cheeseburger, little alone 2 months for our favorite color Street Glide or Road Glide.  

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