NOW
IN OUR
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28 EA t R h
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T H E L E A D I N G B U S I N E S S M A G A Z I N E F O R T H E I N T E R N AT I O N A L C U S T O M M O T O R C Y C L E A N D PA RT S I N D U S T RY
H-D Q3: Domestic US Retail Motorcycle Sales
-3.60%; International +2.70%; Forecasting
212,000 to 217,000 Unit Shipments for 2019
arley-Davidson's third
quarter 2019 results
have been released, and
the headline news is
that Harley's retail motorcycle
sales may be starting to show
some signs of recovery - or at
least a slowing of the
deterioration.
It was thought that a decent March
might have suggested such a rally, but
the Q2 numbers didn't continue the
trend seen towards the end of Q1.
However, for the three months to the
end of September 2019, Harley unit
sales may, just may, finally be headed
in a better direction.
Domestic US retail motorcycle sales
were down by -3.60% in Q3 at 34,903
units in a 601 cc+ market that Harley
says was down by -1.7%, with
domestic US retail sales down by -
5.60% for the nine months at 105,756
units. In Europe (EMEA) sales were -
6.0% for the quarter (10,483 units)
and -6.0% for the nine-month period
(36,899 units).
There was strong Q3 growth in Asia
Pacific (+8.7%/8,078 units) and
H
Canada (+4.4%/2,560 units). Latin
America was -3.10%/2,498 units,
meaning that total international sales
were +2.70% for Q3 at 23,619 units,
which has improved 2019 YTD
international sales to a decline of -
3.90% (73,763 units). This has taken
Harley's worldwide total sales to
58,522 units (-1.2%) for Q3 and
179,519 units (-4.90%) for the YTD.
Harley-Davidson's third quarter U.S.
market share was 49.8 percent; their
year-to-date European market share
was 8.9 percent through September.
Revenue from the Motorcycles and
Related Products (Motorcycles)
segment was down in the third quarter
behind lower shipments. Operating
income decreased primarily due to
lower revenues and increased tariff
costs, partially offset by savings
realized from the company's
manufacturing optimization initiative.
For the full year 2019, the company
says it continues to expect motorcycle
shipments to be approximately
212,000 to 217,000, with some
38,500 to 43,500 to ship in Q4.
Motorcycles segment operating
margin as a percent of revenue is
expected to be approximately six to
seven percent, with Financial Services
segment operating income expected
to be down year-over-year.
During the quarter, the company says
it "delivered earnings per share and
Motorcycles segment operating
margin ahead of expectations. The
company was encouraged by global
retail sales results driven by its actions
and a tempered U.S. industry rate of
decline.
"We are driving stability in our
business and bringing data insights
and intensified consumer focus to
guide our efforts to build committed
riders and meet our near and long-
Continues on page 8 >>>
The much teased 2020 Indian 'Challenger' -
Indian's biggest big inch Bagger yet - featuring
the new PowerPlus 108 ci (1,770 cc)
DOHC water-cooled 60-degree
V-twin ... see pages 32-33
'Challenger’
NOV 2019
ISSUE #244
WISECO TRACKER
SERIES H-D BIG
BORE PISTONS
SEASON WRAP