Essays on Harley Davidson

Background Information

Harley-Davidson Inc. is one of the largest motorcycle manufacturing companies that has not only dominated the United States market, but also other parts of the world. The Company has 100 years experience in terms of motorcycle manufacturing and has attracted a broad base of clients across the United States (Brannen, Jeffrey and Nabil, 11). Economists have mentioned that Harley Davidson Inc. is one of the two motorcycle manufacturing companies that did not experience significant impact as a result of the Great Depression (Zarco and Morgan, 47). Besides, the company has undergone a series of management as well as ownership ...

Problem Identification

The given Ducati HBR case focuses on the remarkable strategic repositioning and turnaround of Ducati i.e. an Italian high-end sports bike manufacturer. The case describes the existing concerns of the company related to the growth prospects. In spite of the outstanding profitability and explosive growth of Ducati, the CEO & the strategic business mind - Federico Minoli was concerned about the future business as he knew that Ducati could not grow forever in its existing niche. Therefore, currently Minoli and Ducati’s tops management is struggling with crafting a strategy that overcomes such constraints. In order to do so, one ...

Company Overview

The Harley Davidson, Inc is a manufacturer of motorcycles in heavy weight category. The parent company consists of Harley-Davidson Motor Company (HDMC) and Harley-Davidson Financial Services (HDFS) . It offers a range of 30 models through a network of 1,600 dealers spread across six continents. It also provides retail and whole financing through its HDFS, primarily to dealer and customers. Recently, the company has reported an increase in its revenue to $5,311.71 million for the fiscal year ending Dec 2011. This is an increase of 9.31% over the previous year, which is 2010. Its operating profit has also increased to $ ...

Ans 1: In early 1960’s, Flare was only a small manufacturer of women’s perfume, and was moving up in the fragrance market from its existing 4th position. One of Flare’s greatest strength was its dominance in sales of fragrance through mass channels, mainly the market of prestige brands . The “Loveliest” brand held the company’s old-fashioned strength due to its widespread recognition. Flare targeted the women aged in the range of 34-65 years, and achieved to have a strong women customer base. The weakness of Flare’s position was due to the low sales in the high-end departmental ...

Management

Introduction Harley Davidson is one of the leading manufacturers of heavyweight motorcycles across the globe. This company has two organizations under its banner – the Harley Davidson Financial Services and the Harley Davidson Motor Company. The main products of Harley Davidson Motor Company are general merchandise, apparel, riding gear, accessories, and motorcycle parts of Harley Davidson, touring, cruiser and customized heavyweight motorcycles. On the other hand, the Harley Davidson Financial Services provides retail and wholesale finance services, protection plans, extended services, insurance and credit card schemes to the riders and dealers of Harley Davidson in Canada, U.S.A. and ...

1. I don’t think that the deal that Harley-Davidson made with the union is too one-sided for several reasons. The first reason is that while half the jobs had been cut and a quarter of the remaining jobs received pay cuts, this measure cut a considerable percentage of operating costs and ensured that the plant still continues to operate. The 2009 economic recession shut down many companies and thousands of people lost their jobs; if Harley-Davidson did not take these measures, everyone at the plant loses their job. The second reason is that since Harley-Davidson planned to modernize the plant ...

1. How does market research influence the Harley Davidson’s decision in future locations?

It is very important for an organization to understand political, economical and social condition before launching its products in the market of any country. Market research provides detail about economic condition of a country along with the purchasing capacity of the people. Political conditions of countries like government stability and policies on foreign companies also play an important role in business expansion. Consumer preferences and behavior vary from place to place and Harley Davidson gained complete set of information about the consumer preferences and needs with ...

Harley Davidson is the world’s leading manufacturer of heavyweight motorcycles. The company is based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and has been producing motorcycles for more than 100 years. The company provides wholesale and retail financing and insurance programs principally to its dealers and customers. It operates in two business divisions: motorcycles and related products and the financial services. The company undertakes strengthening its marketplace position through launching new product, reorganization programs and tactical alliances. The company operates in an industry characterized by fierce competition. Its main competitors include Yamaha and Honda. Initially, the company operated in the United States ...

Customizing a Harley-Davidson Sportster vs. an Import Look-a-like

Harley Davidson vs. Imported Look-alike Harley-Davidson Sportster is one of the most classic models of motorbikes that are currently available. The Sportster was released in the market shortly after the Second World War and still one of the toughest bikes in terms of quality and durability. There are many imported motor bike brands that were able to reach the similar popularity of Harley-Davidson Sportster and even developed their own technology, which is similar to the Harley-Davidson’s creation. These imported brands may have been able to create a Sportster “look-alike”, but in terms of total performance, the Harley-Davidson’s ...

Is to be Experienced and Expressed

Acknowledgments, funding sources, special circumstances. Is to be Experienced and Expressed Biking itself is an experience and gusty wind gushing on the face, riding Harley Davidson can give the experience of driving a Rolls Royce. The eye catching visual impact creates an ambience of a robust mean machine, waiting to be tamed by the masculine dynamism. Royal and majestic appearances of Harley Davidson, gives the feel of a chivalrous “Knight Rider”. The electrifying sensation, pumps lot of adrenal energy pounding the heart to feel ecstatic every minute a rider is on the saddle. It makes a biking addict feel, street is where ...

Target’s Value-creating Diversification

It should be argued that Target could increase its level of value-creating diversification for all stakeholders when the benefits of diversifications exceed its costs. The famous retail chain enjoys its reputation as an innovator in offering value-creating diversification and differentiation strategies such as ‘design partnerships’ and ‘Target owned and exclusive brands’ to establish enhance its niche market and effective customer relationships. The researcher would like to suggest Target Corporation to extend the launch of ‘owned brands’ in all major sectors, especially household essentials, food, apparel & fashion accessories, home furnishings and décor. The reason behind this suggestion is the ...

Introduction

The invention of the Harley Davidson 1936 Twin: 61 OHV was a marvel of its time. However there is need to understand apart from the mechanical aspect of the bike. The design played a huge role as well. The bike artistic features incorporated dominant composition, lines to which symmetrically aligned the bike and the use of light and color to illuminate the artistry in use. This piece seeks to elaborate these factors to highlight the design achievements of the Harley Davidson.

Composition

The dominant lines of composition, as Youngblood (23), states are on the edges of the HD. They give the HD ...

Abstract

In a competitive marketplace, the modern global automotive industry encompasses the main manufacturers, such as Ford, GM, Honda, Volkswagen and Harley Davidson (HD). During the 90s, the globalization of the automotive industry has greatly accelerated because of the emergence of new overseas facilitates of mergers between important multilingual automotive manufacturers. In the first decade of the 20th century, the motorcycle marketplace was distinguishingly crowded. Among other motorcycle manufacturers, Harley Davidson founders knew what they were up against. Surrounded by challenges and market threats, HD announced the launch of the new Tri-Glide three-wheeled motorcycle at the annual dealer meeting in Las ...

PEST Analysis

PEST analysis is mainly concerned with the main influences from an external environment on any business. It is an acronym standing for Political, Economic, Social and technological influences that may affect how the business functions. It is a simple but a powerful tool that will help any organization understand its external environment better. By using the PEST Analysis, Harley-Davidsons will ensure that its strategic plans are allied positively with forces of change affecting the market. The PEST analysis will also help the company avoid involving itself in actions that are prone to failure in the future because of unforeseen circumstances. When ...

Abstract

This paper is on Harley Davidson’s strategic management of its mission, vision and stakeholders and the degree to which Harley Davidson is proceeding towards it. Also this paper will identify relevant stakeholders and discussion over Harley Davidson’s alignment towards it strategic direction. Finally, some recommendation will be offered to Harley Davidson’s executives on the basis of findings and analysis of data and history.

Introduction

Harley Davidson’s Mission is "We ride with our customers and apply this deep connection in every market we serve to create superior value for all of our stakeholders" (“corporate-ir”). In retail, ...

Harley-Davidson was founded in 1903 by William Harley-Davidson, Arthur Davidson, Williams Davidson, and Walter Davidson in a shed in their backyard in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They started production in 1903 with three motorcycles and increased production to eight motorcycles in 1908. In 1969, AMF Incorporated purchased Harley-Davidson Motor Company and expanded its capacity from 15,000 to 40,000 motorcycles. Harley-Davidson, Incorporated was formed in 1981, after it was acquired from AMF Incorporated in a buyout. Harley-Davidson, Incorporated became a publicly held company in 1986.The new management reduced inventories and improved total quality. Following the new quality focus Harley-Davidson began to invest heavily ...

Internal Analysis

Introduction Harley Davidson Inc. has managed to successfully establish itself as the premiere heavy bike brand in the world, through a corporate strategy that has relied heavily on careful brand positioning, continuous innovation and adaptation as well as an intensive focus on its core product. With a history that involves operations in three different centuries, HD has succeeded in overcoming several obstacles and navigating past difficult periods encountered throughout its existence, by reinforcing its key strengths and nullifying weaknesses. Harley Davidson’s position in a highly competitive and continuously evolving industry has been firmly entrenched through centuries of hard work and ...

Affiliated Institution:

Introduction Harley Davidson is one of the largest motorcycle companies in the world. It has been financially stable over the years because of exceptional strategies such as strong corporate governance, a strong brand image, a good HDFS strategy, and acquisitions/ mergers. This report aims at analyzing Harley Davidson strategies through briefly discussing them and associating their success or failure to its success factors such as a stable corporate governance and its core competencies and capabilities.

Discussion

Harley Davidson Motorcycle Corporation prides itself in its globally renowned brand image that is associated with heavyweight touring and custom motorcycles. The company even has a motor that says ...

External Analysis & Case Study

Introduction The motorcycle manufacturer Harley Davidson Inc. has had a long and illustrious history as a heavy bike brand. Since its inception in 1902 (Harley Davidson, 2013) the company has deployed a strategy which focuses extensively on its core product, that of motorbikes with engines of over 700 cc, largely choosing not to diversify its product range and primarily relying on a loyal customer base and a strong brand identity for its revenues. The recent economic recession has resulted in the declining profitability of the organization, triggered by a decrease in demand for the Harley Davidson’s (HD) core product range. This has forced HD ...

Introduction

Harley-Davidson Inc (HD) is an American motorcycle manufacturer founded in 1903 by Harley Davidson. Its headquarters are in Milwaukee. It produces and sells motorcycle parts and accessories, heavyweight motorcycles. The company is one of the great companies after surviving major financial crisis that hardly hit the entire global economy. It has been able to survive a strong competition from similar producers to build a strong customer base despite the many challenges it has been going through. All this can be attributed to its highly experienced and skilled management team. HD’s mission is to fulfill dreams through the experience of motorcycling by ...

Executive Summary

The Ducati Company, which produces motorcycles, is in an attempt to acquiring a double digit increase in its revenue under the management of Federico Minoli. The vision by the manager is to achieve the success by the Harley-Davidson Inc. In this attempt; the management opts to endeavor in investing in the Harley’s niche. Through analysis of the project, the internal and external attributes and factors to the company indicate that the project will deliver results. There is however the need for the company to uphold its culture, quality and its identity. Any loss of this would mean that they ...

Business

INTRODUCTION This report analyses the strategy adapted by Harley Davidson. The report focuses on the business level strategies as well as corporate level strategies and how these strategies are important for the success of the firm in the long run. In addition to this, the report analyses the competitive environment of the firm and analyses the strategies adapted by Harley Davidson and its competitors.

BUSINESS LEVEL STRATEGIES:

Harley Davidson is known for the products with differentiation, products which are completely unique and different from others. For the production of its products and services Harley formulates various strategies. One of the key ...

Harley Davidson Motor Company has developed to become one of the leading motorcycles manufactures globally. Harley Davidson Motor Company produces about 28,000 motorcycles yearly, sold by merchants in more than 67 nations around the globe. The company has a determined plan to augment their production capacity considerably. Because of the enlarged global presence and company’s growth, the management has comprehended that the prospect calls for an incorporated management system, will not only develop the processes of the country but also fit within its financial plan and increase its returns expansion. This underlay the beginning of the process to ...

Harley-Davidson is one of the oldest brands among the leading manufacturer of motorcycle in the United States with a market share of over 50%. In fact, its success is highly attributed to its brand loyalty, but at the same time Harley-Davidson faces a lot of threats in the struggle to maintain its dominance in the marketplace. HD enjoyed the baby-boomers consumption for many years. But this population is aging, making HD “the old mans model”. The future of HD is threatened because it is not in a position to attract younger consumers (Mridu 5). Moreover, the brand loyalty is the first ...

Leadership, Roberta writes, “Is the ability one has to influence others to follow their footsteps.” This is the fundamental asset into achieving success. The art of marketing requires the act to demonstrate leadership. This paper will discuss the ability of a learner to exhibit a perceptive of how to lead people successfully. In addition, this paper will look at the complex business environments. The section contains three questions, answered in paragraph forms. As a learner of organization leadership, I have identified various artifacts that demonstrate on how I effectively lead people. First, as a leader, I kept on moving regardless of the ...