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Report: Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson rides off into the sunset

Filed under: Truck, Marketing/Advertising, Ford, Motorcycle

2013 Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson Edition with motorcycle

In recent weeks, there’s been a lot of talk about high-margin fullsize pickup sales driving the market toward higher-content branded editions – models like the Chevrolet Silverado High Country, Ford F-150 King Ranch and even the Ram 1500 Red Wings Edition. Often mentioned in that same breath has been the F-150 Harley Davidson Edition, a co-branding partnership between the Blue Oval and America’s most famous motorcycle builder that started back in 2009. But now, it appears that the tie-up has drawn to a close, with Automotive News reporting that Ford has axed the F-150 Harley-Davidson.

No reason has been cited for shuffling this F-150 model off to hog heaven, but AN quotes Doug Scott, Ford’s manager of truck marketing as saying, “We don’t have plans for one at the moment… we’ve got 10 models including a brand-new Limited Model, which was new for 2013. We feel like we’ve got the market really well covered.” Other sources in Ford’s dealer body quoted by AN say they don’t mind that the F-Series HD is gone from their order guides, as it was a low-volume model.

Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson rides off into the sunset originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Jun 2013 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson [w/video]

Filed under: Truck, Ford, Reviews

Wooing With Big Power, Questionable Bling

2011 Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson

2011 Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson – Click above for high-res image gallery

It was fun to own a truck for a while, but fuel prices and a global recession eventually caught up to the recreational truck owner. Sales of the Ford F-Series came in at 413,000 units in 2009, while 2010 improved to 528,000. Combined that adds up to roughly the same amount of trucks Ford sold in ’05 alone. Does the precipitous drop in truck sales mean that high-dollar pickups of the past are on the outs? Not even close.

The F-150 lineup now features Lariat, Platinum, King Ranch and particularly awesome Raptor variants, each with their own hefty price tag. The Raptor is an off-roading beast of epic proportions, while the Lariat, Platinum and King Ranch offer plush accommodations and equipment that are matched by great looks and supreme capability. And if none of those options appeal to the $50,000 truck buyer, Ford continues to offer the F-150 Harley-Davidson edition.

For 2011, Ford’s brand-borrowing super truck now boasts more power, new looks and an even fancier (for better or worse) cabin. We took the reins of a fully loaded Harley-Davidson-branded F-150 to see if this pricey pickup has the right mix of luxury and performance to bring back the low impact luxury truck owner. Continue reading…

Continue reading 2011 Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson [w/video]

2011 Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 May 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Harley-Davidson adds Sportster 1200 Custom, introduces H-D1 Factory Customization

Filed under: Motorcycle

Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 Custom

Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 Custom – Click above for high-res image gallery

Harley-Davidson has a knack for creating new models based on existing platforms by swapping out a matching set of components available from its own Parts and Accessories catalog. The tactic has worked well for years, but in today’s trying marketplace, the Bar-and-Shield brand has decided to let its customers do the picking before the motorcycle is even delivered.

Naturally, there are the requisite paint choices, which include seven solid colors, five two-tone options and two sets of custom graphics, and customers can also specificy if they want chrome or black engine covers and wheels in any of four options. That’ll keep the style-conscious buyer happy, but there’s plenty more customization where that came from.

H-D will allow the buyer to tailor the riding position of the 1200 Custom by offering three different handlebar options (standard Pull Back bars or optional Drag and Mini Ape bars) and a choice of mid-mount or forward controls. Finally, the buyer can switch from a two-up saddle to a solo seat, should they so desire.

The basic 1200 Custom platform comes with chunky Michelin Scorcher tires front and rear on 16-inch wheels, which necessitated wide-spaced front forks, and a 4.5-gallon tank. We’re pleased to see that H-D didn’t neuter the handling of the 1200 Custom by angling for an ever-lower seat height (28.5-inches unladed, 26.6 laden).

Also, though rear suspension travel is just 2.12 inches, there’s a reasonable 4.4 inches of ground clearance, which means normal riding won’t mean scraping hard parts on the asphalt. Lean angles are 26.2 degrees on the left and 28.3 on the right, for what it’s worth.

Check out the high-res pics in our image gallery below, and hit the jump for the full press release.

Gallery: Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 Custom

Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 Custom

[Source: Harley-Davidson]

Continue reading Harley-Davidson adds Sportster 1200 Custom, introduces H-D1 Factory Customization

Harley-Davidson adds Sportster 1200 Custom, introduces H-D1 Factory Customization originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Feb 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Harley-Davidson FXS Blackline Softail hits the streets [w/video]

Filed under: Motorcycle

Harley-Davidson FXS Blackline Softail

Harley-Davidson FXS Blackline Softail – Click above for high-res image gallery

The minds at Harley-Davidson have just unveiled the newest creation to arise from the company’s Dark Custom project. Called the FXS Blackline, the new take on the Softail wears resculpted tin, including a bobbed rear fender and an asymetric tank design that departs a bit from the bike’s standard look. Get a little closer and you’re likely to notice that the big V-twin at the heart of the Blackline has been powder coated black in all the right places. HD’s designers also dropped in a compact headlight and a tiny speedometer for more custom look.

Of course, this particular Softail is defined by two things. First, Harley-Davidson says that the FXS Blackline wears the lowest seat that the company has ever installed on a bike. The rider sits a mere 24 inches off the ground, and combined with unique “split drag” handlebars, the Blackline looks to have a personality that’s a good deal different from the rest of the Dark Custom creations. Hit the jump for a look at the full press release and a quick video.

Gallery: Harley-Davidson FXS Blackline Softail

[Source: Harley-Davidson]

Continue reading Harley-Davidson FXS Blackline Softail hits the streets [w/video]

Harley-Davidson FXS Blackline Softail hits the streets [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: BMW, Harley-Davidson among those that tapped Federal Reserve for billions during crisis

Filed under: BMW, Earnings/Financials

The U.S. government’s Commercial Paper Funding Facility was established towards the tail-end of 2008. The CPFF was created to offer companies short-terms loan when traditional means of establishing credit were crumbling. Lehman Brothers had collapsed and AIG was taking expensive trips while showing the world its pocket lint, but that didn’t mean that other companies weren’t in need of cash, and Washington stepped in to oblige. According to Bloomberg, among those parties taking advantage of the Federal Reserve program were a long list of automotive clients, German automaker BMW among them.

According to Bloomberg, German automaker secured funding assistance intermittently between 2008 and 2009, with the largest single transaction a reported $3.62 billion. This line of credit helped BMW survive during a time when other automakers were getting by on life support. Some of the funds were used to expand the South Carolina facility that produces X3, X5 and X6 models. While suffering its lowest profit in a decade, BMW was still able to produce a positive cash flow of nearly $2 billion.

Taking a look at the data provided by the Feds (download the spreadsheet here – *Warning: Excel spreadsheet), we see that a number of automakers and compnaies also made use of the CPFF, including Harley-Davidson (33 separate instances totaling $2.3 billion), Toyota, Ford, Chrysler, General Motors and Mitsubishi.

[Sources: Bloomberg, The Washington Post | Image: Drew Phillips/AOL]

Report: BMW, Harley-Davidson among those that tapped Federal Reserve for billions during crisis originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Dec 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Ride: 2011 Harley-Davidson CVO models

Filed under: Motorcycle, Reviews

Appealing to the Senses, Not the Sensibilities

2011 Harley-Davidson CVO Ultra Classic Electra Glide

2011 Harley-Davidson CVO Ultra Classic Electra Glide – Click above for high-res image gallery

Harley-Davidson isn’t exactly known for innovation. While the majority of players in the motorcycle world tend to push the envelope of performance and technology, The Motor Company has historically taken a different approach to its lineup of heavyweight motorcycles. In place of traction control and electronically adjustable suspension setups, H-D focuses on chrome, paint, tradition and… more chrome.

Nowhere is that strategy more evident than the yearly crop of models from its Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) unit, which has proven to be a rather successful way to entice buyers into its highest priced wares. As such, we shouldn’t expect any major adjustments to the basic way of thinking that’s proven itself time and time again from the brain-trust in Milwaukee.

That said, there are some meaningful updates for the 2011 model year that we were interested in seeing and hearing, so we saddled ourselves up on each of the four new CVO bikes in beautiful Lake Tahoe for some good ol’ fashioned riding impressions. Kick back, throw on your very best leather chaps and read on, Harley fans.

Gallery: 2011 Harley-Davidson CVO Ultra Classic Electra Glide

2011 Harley-Davidson CVO Ultra Classic Electra Glide

Continue reading First Ride: 2011 Harley-Davidson CVO models

First Ride: 2011 Harley-Davidson CVO models originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Nov 2010 11:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Harley-Davidson issuing stock dividend

Filed under: Motorcycle

Despite its recent financial woes and a bout with organized labor, Harley-Davidson is actually paying out dividends this quarter. If you happen to own some of the company’s common stock, you can expect to see a check in the mail for around ten cents a share. That’s not exactly money to retire on, but hey, last time we checked, no one turns down a free dime. As of this writing, Harley-Davidson, Inc. (HOG, NYSE) is trading at around $28.45 per share.

H-D recently went through a number of significant changes. After rumors spread that Harley-Davidson planned to leave Wisconsin in favor of greener labor pastures, the company’s unionized workforce renegotiated for terms that ensured the bike maker would stay up north for at least another seven years. Likewise, Harley sent its longtime advertising agency, Carmichael Lynch, packing.

[Source: Asphalt and Rubber]

Report: Harley-Davidson issuing stock dividend originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 18 Sep 2010 11:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Harley-Davidson to Wisconsin: We ain’t goin’ nowhere

Filed under: Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Earnings/Financials, Motorcycle

Harley-Davidson logo After the dust-up surrounding Harley-Davidson’s rumored evacuation of Wisconsin, the motorcycle manufacturer has announced that it will be staying in the Midwest. Unionized employees voted on September 13 to keep production operations in both Tomahawk and Milwaukee right where they are. Three labor organizations ratified a new seven-year contract that will take effect once the current deal expires in April of 2012.

Earlier this year, Harley-Davidson began an assessment program to determine whether or not it would be in the company’s best interest to move production outside of Wisconsin, and they had even gone so far as to scope out a few likely new homes. However, the new labor contract agreements will allow for a $50 million savings by the end of 2013, making the company’s old plants more attractive than uprooting and starting new facilities elsewhere. Part of those savings come from the fact that by the time the new contract takes effect, the company will have 250 fewer full-time hourly unionized workers than what’s outlined under the current agreement.

While these and other restructuring changes will incur a number of one-time charges, Harley-Davidson is looking to see annual ongoing savings of anywhere between $290 million and $310 million. Hit the jump for the full press release.

[Source: Harley-Davidson]

Continue reading Harley-Davidson to Wisconsin: We ain’t goin’ nowhere

Harley-Davidson to Wisconsin: We ain’t goin’ nowhere originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Sep 2010 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Harley-Davidson announces sale of MV Agusta to Claudio Castiglioni

Filed under: Europe, Earnings/Financials, Motorcycle

2010 MV Agusta Brutale 990R – Click above for high-res image gallery

We’d heard the rumors and now it’s official. Harley-Davidson has announced that it has sold the MV Agusta brand to Claudio Castiglioni and his wholly owned holding company, MV Agusta Motor Holding, S.r.l. For those who aren’t exactly up on their boutique Italian motorcycle history, Castiglioni is the same man H-D bought the company from back in 2008 and had been serving as company chairman ever since.

No actual financial data has yet been announced, but rumors from Italy have it that the Italian businessman isn’t actually paying anything more than a single symbolic euro for the storied motorcycle manufacturer and may even be getting some additional financial support from Harley-Davidson for the foreseeable future.

Couple those reports with the realization that H-D payed $109 million for MV Agusta just two years ago and subsequently spent big money to revamp the Italian manufacturer’s product lineup and it’s easy to see that the Milwaukee-based company is coming out the biggest loser in this exchange.

Harley is showing no (official) hard feelings, though. “MV Agusta is a proud brand and we wish Mr. Castiglioni and the company’s employees well,” Harley-Davidson President and Chief Executive Officer Keith Wandell said in a statement. Feel free to peruse the official press release after the break.

Gallery: Review: 2010 MV Agusta Brutale 990R

[Source: Harley-Davidson]

Continue reading Harley-Davidson announces sale of MV Agusta to Claudio Castiglioni

Harley-Davidson announces sale of MV Agusta to Claudio Castiglioni originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Aug 2010 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Harley-Davidson reportedly threatening to leave Wisconsin after 107 years

Filed under: UAW/Unions, Motorcycle

2010 Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight – Click above for high-res image gallery

Harley-Davidson is looking to cut its labor costs any way it can, even if it takes leaving Wisconsin. The Associated Press is reporting that the 107-year-old company has gone as far as to scout out other (likely southern) states in an effort to reduce its labor costs. Company CEO Keith Wandell says that the company will likely come to a decision in the next month or two, adding that Harley is open to tax incentives that will help keep the motorcycle facilities in the state of Wisconsin. Among the chief concerns of Harley-Davidson executives is the production schedules at its factories. Harley corporate wants to align production with seasonal demand, but as of yet, the union isn’t too keen on the idea, so it’s possible that the threat to move is posturing.

Meanwhile, the city of Milwaukee is already struggling to keep jobs in a down economy and the loss of 1,630 high-paying jobs would be a monumental blow to the community. The city already lost the headquarters of Miller Beer back in 2008, and Schlitz left the city in the 1980s due in part to labor strife. Harley-Davidson also brings tens of thousands of visitors from around the world, bolstering the local tourist economy. But although management is looking into moving its factories, it will reportedly keep its headquarters in the beleaguered city.

Gallery: 2010 Harley-Davidson Forty-Eight

[Source: Associated Press]

Harley-Davidson reportedly threatening to leave Wisconsin after 107 years originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Aug 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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