After nearly three years of restructuring its
business, Harley-Davidson has emerged with
confidence and focus. The strategy seems to be
paying off with signs of solid performance and
consistent growth. Even through challenging
economic times, there remains a strong sense
of community among Harley-Davidson fans.
Knowing that it cannot solely rely on baby
boomers, the company has been working hard
to appeal to women, minorities, Gen Y, and
Millennials. The challenge for the brand will be
in balancing traditional audiences with the new
audience segments. These newcomers to Harley
Davidson, however, are embracing the brand
with passion and enthusiasm. Of its 3.6 million
Facebook fans, 40% are aged 18–34. The organization
has also shed non-Harley-Davidson brands
and put its efforts into a unified brand experience.
This focus has helped to build momentum
in share gains, retail sales, and profit in outreach
markets. Despite strong competition from
Japanese manufacturers, Harley-Davidson
opened 35 dealerships in international markets,
including Mexico, India, Turkey, Russia, China,
and Brazil. With a solid strategy in place,
Harley-Davidson appears poised to conquer the
open road.