Preview

Harley Davidson Case Study Essay Example

Best Essays
Open Document
Open Document
2163 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Harley Davidson Case Study Essay Example
[pic]

University of Newcastle

Grad school

Case Study Harley Davidson

Course: Doctor of Business Administration
GSBS6010: Foundations of Marketing Theory

Prepared By

Muhammad Saiful Islam Khan

Executive summary

In the automotive industry Harley Davidson is a prominent brand for its exceptional product and customer loyalty. Harley Davidson is the leader in heavyweight motorcycles market from the very beginning of its operation; it has created its own specific customer group. This report will discuss how SWOT Analysis a marketing theory applied to Harley Davidson simultaneously this report will focus on a range of features of the company including marketing plan through loyalty program. Harley Davidson products are not just giving riders an outstanding riding experience it’s a lifestyle. The company experienced complexity to keep hold of their customer in the market due to the entrance of cheap Japanese motor cycles. Simultaneously Harley Davidson exploring new markets such as India without lowering its product quality and customer loyalty.

Table of Content

|Introduction............................................................................................|4 |
|.......... | |
|The success history of Harley Davidson........................................................... |4 |
|SWOT analysis for Harley-Davidson................................................................. |5 |
|Strength of Harley Davidson............................................................................ |6 |
|Solid position Market position and positive brand Image.................................. |6 |
|Wide sales and distribution

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    The situation for Thorr Motorcycle company is their sales are declining on 1500cc power cruiser motorcycles (University of Phoenix, 2013). Consumers in the age group of 35 to 50 are aging and their interest is changing. The younger generation in the age group of 21 to 35 incomes is small, and they prefer to purchase the inexpensive motorcycle (University of Phoenix, 2013). In addition to the change of interest from the younger generation, Thorr Motorcycle company should be concerned with their competitors because the competitors are intruding on Cruiser Thorn’s market (University of Phoenix, 2013). A decision on a marketing approach should be implemented to increase sales for Thorr Motorcycle. To gain the interest of the younger generation, Thorr Motorcycles should change the product instead of creating a new product line of motorcycles. A perceptual map is a visual presentation of what the customer thinks of the company brand (University of Phoenix, 2013). Brand focuses on the different attributes that is important to the customers, and comparing the brand position with different competitors. The perceptual map will allow the company to refine their product and gain the interest of the younger generation.…

    • 1010 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Due to the longevity of Harley Davidson’s existence they are faced with numerous challenges. Over the years it have become quite difficult for Harley Davidson to maintain their position of high profitability within the United States. The company that once marketed their motorcycles to higher end leisure riders which included a vast majority of baby boomers are now seeking ways to expand their offerings (Hitt, Ireland & Hoskisson, 2015). Problems continues to…

    • 866 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Harley-Davidson should consider modernizing the technology used in its motorcycles while at the same time maintaining their retro look. Harley’s lack of innovation has tarnished the brand’s image, especially to younger consumers. The Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge Challenger, and Ford Mustang have all revived classic body styles in their latest model redesign. However, modern technology was incorporated into these models, so while they look similar to classic automobiles of the past, they have all the bells and whistles of a modern car. Harley has emphasized having its motorcycles resembled those of the company’s storied past, however they have done so by not updating certain components of the bikes, and by keeping old technologies in their new bikes. Although the vintage look and feel is appealing to its loyal followers, Harley should modernize the technology used in its bikes in order better compete with its Japanese competitors. If Harley can do this without affecting the retro look and distinct sound that a Harley exhaust makes, then Harley would be able to attract new customers that value performance and modern technology, while not alienating its current customer base.…

    • 516 Words
    • 2 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
  • Better Essays

    The results revealed that a different segment, the younger individual, influenced more by price more than the aging demographic that has maintained Thorr Motorcycles success during the past years, is fueling the now growing motorcycle market. The younger generation seems to care less for brand and image of the Cruiser Thorr, due in part to the price being outside their preferred price range. It is for these reasons that the Cruiser Thorr is in stage four of its product life cycle, which is declining sales. The marketing plan should consider launching a new product. One that represents the corporate core value of commitment to quality, excellence, and offers a new market niche of affordability, finance option, and enhanced services. This will require a differentiation in the marketing mix. Shifting the market plan with changing differentiation attributes mix now focused on affordability, attractive financing option, and expanding services including social fraternities, it seems the new customer base will be more inclined to view the innovatively designed motorcycle as a commodity that offers superior value and quality. Realigning internal corporate processes and unifying the change in focus on a new product goal will cause other processes in the marketing mix to function toward the goal of promoting and placing the new product in a positive light. Attracting this new demographic is creating the…

    • 1368 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Harley-Davidson, Inc. (Harley-Davidson) is one of the leading manufacturers of heavyweight motorcycles in the world. Harley-Davidson is the parent company of the group of companies including Harley-Davidson Motor Company (HDMC) and Harley-Davidson Financial Services (HDFS). The company offers more than 30 models of touring and custom Harleys through a worldwide network of more than 1,600…

    • 1002 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Looking at current reports on their business, we were able to determine some of the issues the company is trying to resolve, in order to achieve growth and excel them above their competition. By conducting a SWOT analysis, we are able to outline a model that assesses what they need or can do regarding both internal (strengths and weaknesses) and external (opportunities and threats). A SWOT analysis is a simple, straightforward framework that provides direction and serves as a catalyst for the development of viable marketing plans and structures the assessment of the fit between what a firm can and cannot do (internal), and the environmental conditions working for and against them (external) (Ferrell & Hartline,…

    • 481 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    In the following paper we discuss the Harley Davidson Corporation and identify two strategic recommendations for their business. In order to get a better understanding of the Harley Davidson Corporation we broke down the company by their strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. We then further analyze and explain Harley’s sustainable competitive advantage, as well as issues and problems the company faces. After going over Harley’s current company situation we use research and statistics to recommend Harley Davidson concentrates more on its international stores and transforms itself into a green corporation. We discuss the advantages and benefits Harley Davidson would obtain based on our recommendations, and also possible problems our recommendations may encounter.…

    • 7018 Words
    • 29 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
  • Powerful Essays

    JAP uses SWOT analysis as a tool for monitoring and evaluating the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats imposing on the business. The results are used to assist in developing marketing techniques, and assessing new rides and attractions. Monitoring and evaluating is a strength in JAP’s marketing plan as it allows the businesses to assess the effectiveness of its marketing strategies and identify possible areas of improvement…

    • 2190 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Analyst's Dilemma

    • 963 Words
    • 4 Pages

    The marketing strategy of a company is critical to its success for many different reasons. Without product awareness, customer will not know about the availability of the product. A lack of branding will result in customers quickly forgetting about the product and the significance of the products on their lives. Strategic marketing is a planning process by which an organization devises the best way to develop an advantage over competitors. Businesses measure the success of their strategic planning by analyzing the increase in sales, getting positive consumer feedback and measuring a greater number of repeat customers. The strategic imperative of marketing may be revealed using a basic SWOT analysis, which focuses on strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to the business.…

    • 963 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Marketing Mix For BMW

    • 2026 Words
    • 9 Pages

    The purpose of this research is to elaborate the marketing mix of BMW’s car which is a common transport in our daily life. People can drive it to anywhere on the land they want. BMW’s car will make people more comfortable when traveling. The target market for this product is the upper middle class in a company. This product’s market is successful because it gives consumers chance to test drive and its marketing mix will change in different locations (BMW 's Experiential Marketing Mix, 2009). The reason for choosing this product is that my family has a BMW’s car and I want to know why it is so popular in the world. The SWOT analysis of BMW is divided in 4 main parts, including strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. The analysis shows that BMW has many advantages but also has some problems need to be solved. Additionally, the 4Ps were used to determine the product, price, place and promotion of BMW. The outcome of research hope to find which is the preferred marketing mix for BMW and the reason why it can be outstanding in hundreds of automobile manufacturers.…

    • 2026 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Presentation on Facebook

    • 1398 Words
    • 6 Pages

    I have selected to write on the topics of Marketing Strategy, SWOT analysis and Target Market Selection as they are the topics that have interested me and are very precise points of Marketing. These topics can describe a company’s existence and how they plan to grow, what they have done so far to grow, their methods of Marketing and more information to the above mentioned.…

    • 1398 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Case Preview: In the US market there were intense competitions during the end of eighties and the beginning of nineties. The US Cars market was characterized by an intense competition in the mid- size cars “SEDAN”. During 1988 Ford Company was ranked the first in terms of selling cars in the United States, and in 1989 Honda attacked Ford Company and assumed the lead in the Unites States. In the wake of loosing number one position, Ford Company was compelled to work hard to recover this first place in the midsize category in the 1992. To that end, It adopted some strategies, such as reshaping Taurus and taking the safety position to change its image to meet customers’ needs and wants. This case study discusses the intense competition between the two wellknown brands (Ford Taurus and Honda Accord). When Ford became in the challenging position, it adopted some attack strategies to recapture the leading position in sales of the Mid-size Sedan. The case study further presents a profound analysis that goes over all the strategies adopted by Ford in competition with Honda to achieve its goal. Problem Definition in the Case: Ford Taurus was lagged by thousands of cars in sales to Honda accord (?). Furthermore, to become Number 1, “The Leader”, and beat Honda, Ford set up several strategies and stood to the management (?). The staff was capable of achieving the strategies, and the gap between the two companies obviously shrank by the time Ford achieved its objective in early 1993. SWOT Analysis Understanding Your Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats The importance using SWOT analysis SWOT Analysis is a very effective way of identifying your strengths and weaknesses, and of examining the opportunities and threats you face. Carrying out an analysis using the SWOT framework will help you to focus your activities into areas where you are strong, and where the greatest opportunities lie. Again, consider this from an internal and external view - do other firms seem to…

    • 2542 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

     Study the basic aspects of Promotional Strategies such as Sales Promotion, Personal Selling, Advertising and Publicity.  Studying the customer response regarding promotions of cars in India through a questionnaire.  Study the promotional strategies of Ford Fiesta with all the tools of promotion.  Analyze and interpret the responses by SWOT analysis.…

    • 7080 Words
    • 29 Pages
    Powerful Essays