Preview

Harley Davidson Tows Matrix

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
1304 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Harley Davidson Tows Matrix
“Strategic planning involves identifying the current business of a firm and the business it wants for the future, and the course of action or strategy it will use to pursue its objectives.” (definition) While Harley-Davidson and its competitors, both domestic and international, have been alive for decades, it is becoming increasingly difficult to shift such established entities to compliment a new, younger group of potential riders. An expanding economy, technological advances such as the internet and online retail, liquidity and market demands have all contributed to the stability of profits in this business. Competition changed the fundamental landscape of the motorcycle industry forever. Several factors including the necessity to compete and evolve, a more streamlined manufacturing process, new management and a wealth of demographic and retail analysis information have enabled the industry to obtain and attain a rapidly growing portion of the population. Harley-Davidson has always been the leader in heavy-weight, classic cruisers with their rumbling motors and definitive styling. Owners adhere more to the lifestyle and freedom of the bikes, rather than utility and dependability. Harleys generally come with a spirit and attitude of genuine America and an institution that is hailed as an iconic model of pre-industrial America. Riders will agree that the feeling is almost religious and unified, as gatherings and conventions feel more like family reunions than an ordinary general interest group. With the addition of such loyalty programs as HOG and financial services directly offered by the company, buyers are becoming more comfortable and attached to the brand as ever before. HOG has created a unified community of followers enabling them to stay in touch, exchange ideas and even schedule get-togethers. Harley’s financial services division is a rapidly growing profit center aimed at making and servicing the buying experience as smooth as possible.

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Harley Davidson’s competitive advantage is represented in their ability to produce top quality motorcycles and also provide full service after their products are sold which enables them to maintain their brand…

    • 866 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Best Essays

    Harley Davidson’s net profit in 2010 was 146.55 million versus a net loss of 55.12 million in 2009 (Global Data, 2011). There are three key elements in which the company has to improve to continue making profit. First, resolve the Unfunded Employee Post-retirement Benefit plan to keep employees producing a good product and maintain a top level company/employee relationship. Secondly, intense competition in the motorcycle market has to be addressed if Harley Davidson plans to increase sales and profit, finally, competition is strong and the brand name alone will not increase its profitability. Strategic Global Branding is the main key to Harley Davidson’s continued rise, and without it the company will stagnate and be reduced to a minor player in the motorcycle industry.…

    • 1605 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Good Essays

    continents. Harley-Davidson provides wholesale and retail financing and insurance programs principally to its dealers and customers.…

    • 1002 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The motorcycle industry is a consolidated industry. The U.S. and international heavyweight motorcycle markets are highly competitive. The major players, such as Yamaha, Suzuki, and Honda, generally have financial and marketing resources that are substantially greater than the non-major players. Competitions in the heavyweight motorcycle market are based on several factors; price, quality, reliability, styling, product features, customer preference, and warranties. Harley’s first segment is motorcycle and related products business which includes designing, manufacturing, and selling heavyweight touring and custom motorcycles products, parts, and accessories. The custom products charge a higher price because of its features, styling, and high resale value.…

    • 7537 Words
    • 31 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Gu Case Study

    • 812 Words
    • 4 Pages

    When you think of Harley-Davidson, what comes to mind? Well, motorcycles for sure. But if that wasn’t your first thought, we’d argue that it was probably an open desert highway, leather boots and gear, and a rumbling exhaust that could make a jet engine seem all too meek. We’d also argue that Harley-Davidson symbolizes rebellion, youth, freedom, and open possibilities. Kind of like the first time you let go of the handle bars while riding your bike. It’s an image created by the people. The riders. The enthusiasts that made Harley-Davidson one of the most recognizable and mythological brands in the world. It’s an image the company itself may have tried to dump, but lucky for them, they did something far smarter. Harley-Davidson nurtured the community surrounding the brand creating a corporate sanctioned Harley-Davidson Brand Community.…

    • 812 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Harley-Davidson is an American motorcycle manufacturer with a rich history and cultural tradition. Founded in 1903 in Milwaukee, WI, Harley just celebrated its 100th anniversary with a series of events around the world that culminated in hundreds of thousands of motorcyclists rallying last summer on the shores of Lake Michigan. In 1929, there were 241 motorcycle manufacturers in the US. After the Depression, only two remained: Harley and Indian. By 1953, Indian went out of business, leaving Harley-Davidson as the only American motorcycle manufacturer. Financial difficulties in the 1970’s led to the parent company, AMF putting the motorcycle division up for sale. Without a buyer, a group of Harley managers bought out the company and rescued it with a business turnaround that included brand extensions into licensed goods, such as apparel and related accessories. Now a publicly owned company, Harley has scored double digit growth for eighteen consecutive years. Harley transformed itself into a strong marketing company with a focus on lifestyle image and product quality.…

    • 2396 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Strategic planning is an organisations process of defining its strategy, or direction, and making decisions on allocating its resources to pursue this strategy, including its capital and customers. Various business analysis…

    • 1554 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Harley Davidson realized that it sells customers much more than a two wheeler vehicle. The company sells customers a feeling of independence, individualism and a sense of freedom that “gets into the soul” of the customers. The company realized that the customers pride and strong emotional attachments make Harley Davidson ownership more of a lifestyle rather than a product consumption experience. In order to enhance and support the customer’s lifestyle, the company networks with its riders. , Harley-Davidson engages its customer base through company-sponsored travel adventures, events, and other things, such as clothes and accessories both for riders and for those who simply like to associate with the brand. This interaction with the customer base, serves to cultivate a strong customer relationship and also as an important marketing tool.…

    • 438 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Arrowood Times Case

    • 3253 Words
    • 14 Pages

    |Harley-Davidson The iconic American motorcycle sustains a proud history, enduring product quality and a high price point. In | | |…

    • 3253 Words
    • 14 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Questions on Harley-Davidson

    • 161568 Words
    • 545 Pages

    What are Harley’s current sources of competitive advantage? Can these be sustained in light of the latest competitor moves? If you are Honda, where to you think Harley- Davidson is vulnerable? What is the Harley mystique?…

    • 161568 Words
    • 545 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    However, Harley-Davidson’s journey was not without its bumps in the road. As a result of the rapid rise in production growth – 0 in 1903, 28,000 in 1920, and 150,818 in 1998 – Harley-Davidson experienced quality control issues and faced stiff competition from Japanese manufacturers Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki and Kawasaki. In the 1980s, things became so bad that Harley-Davidson found itself on the verge of bankruptcy. Determined to regain its prowess and move away from the verge of bankruptcy, the company “renewed focus on quality” and completed a successful IPO in 1986 leading to a worldwide resurgence (Austin, 2003, p.2).…

    • 3591 Words
    • 12 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    Harley is American made. Being an American, having a local dealer, local repair shop, and local customer service is everything to a buyer. It also happens to be the only heavyweight motorcycle to be completely made in America, which gives the buyer a sense of security and confidence in the product that they are buying.…

    • 830 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Another significant point about Harley-Davidson is the passion of their users, which the company openly promotes in their Harley Owners Group (HOG). The HOG has approximately 900,000 members worldwide.…

    • 5980 Words
    • 24 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Harley Davidson Case

    • 1885 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Customer for life... Harley-Davidson values the deep emotional connection that is created without customers through our products, services, and experiences. We are fueled by the brand loyalty and trust that our customers place in us to deliver premium quality and the promise of fulfilling lifetime ownership experience. We exemplify this commitment by embracing a culture of personal responsibility and stewardship for quality in everything we do.…

    • 1885 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Harley Davidson and Honda are two different manufacturers which stand out for producing motorcycles that have been used extensively for long distance rides but they have lots of differences. Comfort should be a persuading factor for singling out the kind of motorcycle/bike to invest in and ride when taking long trips. Harley bikes are commonly ridden in biker rallies, they have a reputation for being sturdy machines and well-built. The price of a Harley is a lot more than the price of a Honda motorcycle. The buyer is paying for the name Harley Davidson within itself.…

    • 758 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays