Greetings fellow riders!
In my last blog post I discussed the struggles H-D has overcome but do we know whats at stake for the future? Its really all a matter of opinion. To some, they don’t believe that they will be able to keep adjusting to the newer generations interests and others think the exact opposite of the product.
According to Jonathon Baskin, in his article Harley-Davidson Will Be A Case History In Social Branding, “H-D is either engaging with a new generation of customers, as the company claims, or slowly managing its way into irrelevance, as the numbers might suggest. What plays out over the next few years will be a case history in the promise or peril of social brands.”
In my opinion I believe that Harley Davidson will never die out. It may have its rough years in the future but so has every other motorcycle company.
For example, Indian motorcycles shut down in 1953 but was recently purchased by Polaris in 2011, and they are now one of Harley’s Top competitors according to the Indian motorcycle home page.
Now, I’m not saying that H-D will be dying out anytime soon but I do believe that they will have a few rough years ahead of themselves like all motorcycle companies will. The older generation of riders are getting to the point now where they are no longer able to balance a bike on their own.
My generation is the new upcoming image for H-D, and they have adjusted to that by making bikes like the Harley Soft-tail and the Sportster, while keeping the Street Glide and other full dresser bikes that the older generation enjoys. This brings in people from all ages to buy Harley Davidson’s.
In my opinion, as it probably is the same as other motorcycle fans, Harley Davidson will continue to surprise us with new designs and motorcycles every year and will have new people coming in each year to purchase their bikes. In the end it all really depends on the economy. Either way, H-D will be a case history on the future of social branding.
Safe Travels everyone!
Brent
Resources:
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