Harley woes - good news for Thailand

[Kf6vci]

http://wolfstreet.com/2017/07/18/harley-davidson-sales-layoffs-builds-plant-in-thailand-motorcycle-industry-sales/

 

What si your take?

 

Chris

[Anythingleft?]

If they can't sell models for 6k USD in the states then how do they realistically expect to sell the same low end model for approximately 3 times the price in Thailand? If they do start assembly here and lower the huge tax then I am sure there would be a fair bit of interest
The model I looked at was roughly 3 times the price as listed in the UK, no way I would pay that just out of principle

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

[JonnyF]

I could be tempted by a Sportster if they sorted the pricing out and sold them at a similar price to the US. They are currently ridiculously overpriced in Thailand for what they are.

 

I think the problem for HD is that they can't attract younger riders to replace the older guys that have either stopped riding or will keep their 1993 Fatboy until the day they die.  Their bikes are fine in my opinion but the modern retro bikes like the Triumph Bobber or the BME R Nine T are a lot cooler for the younger Hipster crowd and the HD image isn't really attractive any more. When people think of Harley riders they (rightly or wrongly) think of the older bearded, Jack Daniels drinking, Willy Nelson lookalike, or the bikie gang type and neither of these images are really attractive for normal people who just want something fun to ride. 

[Kwasaki]

6 hours ago, Anythingleft? said:

The model I looked at was roughly 3 times the price as listed in the UK, no way I would pay that just out of principle

Didn't read into it too much but if they build a factory here and assembly them here won't that address the price as it has with others makes. 

[Anythingleft?]

Didn't read into it too much but if they build a factory here and assembly them here won't that address the price as it has with others makes. 

That's what most enthusiasts are hoping I'm sure, unless they see it as a status to have high prices. Hopefully they will drop to give a bit more of an affordable choice of bikes. Might halt the sales here for a good spell until the recalculated prices come out.....

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

[AllanB]

3 hours ago, JonnyF said:

I could be tempted by a Sportster if they sorted the pricing out and sold them at a similar price to the US. They are currently ridiculously overpriced in Thailand for what they are.

 

I think the problem for HD is that they can't attract younger riders to replace the older guys that have either stopped riding or will keep their 1993 Fatboy until the day they die.  Their bikes are fine in my opinion but the modern retro bikes like the Triumph Bobber or the BME R Nine T are a lot cooler for the younger Hipster crowd and the HD image isn't really attractive any more. When people think of Harley riders they (rightly or wrongly) think of the older bearded, Jack Daniels drinking, Willy Nelson lookalike, or the bikie gang type and neither of these images are really attractive for normal people who just want something fun to ride. 

Not so sure about that Jonny, maybe it is true of farangs, but the Thais are mad for HDs... My bet is that it is the same for many SE Asians, so a huge potential market. Maybe they plan on selling to the Chinese too....

Edited July 21, 2017 by AllanB

[VocalNeal]

2 hours ago, AllanB said:

but the Thais are mad for HDs..

 Because they are expensive. If they were priced normally?

[guzzi850m2]

I am in Japan working right now and see a lot of HD's around, in Japan!!

 

Yep, I could be tempted too, Sportster or Dyna if the price is low enough.

 

I think they will sell way more HD's here in Asia if the prices drops, just see how Ducati sales Thailand soared after they dropped in price a few years back. 

 

Anybody knows when the HD assembly plant in Thailand will be on-line?

[Anythingleft?]

I am in Japan working right now and see a lot of HD's around, in Japan!!
 
Yep, I could be tempted too, Sportster or Dyna if the price is low enough.
 
I think they will sell way more HD's here in Asia if the prices drops, just see how Ducati sales Thailand soared after they dropped in price a few years back. 
 
Anybody knows when the HD assembly plant in Thailand will be on-line?

There was another thread on here a few months back and the report linked mentioned late 2018

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

[DILLIGAD]

 Because they are expensive. If they were priced normally?

Older thai's maybe ?
You know, the ones that think those pictures of Serpico are cool! 555!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[smotherb]

A lot of the reason Harleys are not large with the younger biker types is because they cannot afford them.  Part of the middle-life crisis in the States is to buy a Harley. I've bought several from middle-aged crazies who option-out their bikes, keep them serviced, and then put very few miles on them.

[elgenon]

14 hours ago, guzzi850m2 said:

I am in Japan working right now and see a lot of HD's around, in Japan!!

 

Yep, I could be tempted too, Sportster or Dyna if the price is low enough.

 

I think they will sell way more HD's here in Asia if the prices drops, just see how Ducati sales Thailand soared after they dropped in price a few years back. 

 

Anybody knows when the HD assembly plant in Thailand will be on-line?

I think I read somebody bought Ducati. Was it Harley?

[SpeakeasyThai]

Make America Great Again.

HA HA!!

Wonder if the Harley  factory will be in the same suburb as Trumps products are manufactured. LOL.

Edited July 22, 2017 by SpeakeasyThai

[thaiguzzi]

1 hour ago, elgenon said:

I think I read somebody bought Ducati. Was it Harley?

Audi.

Which is owned by VW.

[Gandtee]

Glad to see that the Donald's made in America is working. An American icon made in Thailand?

[bkkgriz]

16 hours ago, guzzi850m2 said:

I am in Japan working right now and see a lot of HD's around, in Japan!!

 

Yep, I could be tempted too, Sportster or Dyna if the price is low enough.

 

I think they will sell way more HD's here in Asia if the prices drops, just see how Ducati sales Thailand soared after they dropped in price a few years back. 

 

Anybody knows when the HD assembly plant in Thailand will be on-line?

2

Have you looked into what it costs to get a motorcycle license in Japan? If you are interested, here is a link. Japan, the land of the rising sun and bureaucracy.

 

http://www.nic-nagoya.or.jp/en/e/archives/4524

 

[Kwasaki]

32 minutes ago, Gandtee said:

Glad to see that the Donald's made in America is working. An American icon made in Thailand?

I thought it will be more like assembled. 

[digger70]

On 7/21/2017 at 11:11 AM, Kwasaki said:

Didn't read into it too much but if they build a factory here and assembly them here won't that address the price as it has with others makes. 

This maybe not the case,some small cars are made in Thailand,Thailand specs .Not international specs.I have got one build in Thailand and this make and model cost more than the same make and model build and bought in Australia.

[fxe1200]

1 hour ago, thaiguzzi said:

Audi.

Which is owned by VW.

I bought a Ducati Scrambler two years back, and the new bike was cheaper than importing my 40 year old Harley into Thailand.

 

Harley will have a good chance to sell some more  motorcycles, when the install a production line here, just as Ducati and Triumph did. Then they can avoid the ridiculously high import duties and taxes, as well as high labour costs.

Edited July 22, 2017 by fxe1200

[Kwasaki]

12 minutes ago, digger70 said:

This maybe not the case,some small cars are made in Thailand,Thailand specs .Not international specs.I have got one build in Thailand and this make and model cost more than the same make and model build and bought in Australia.

News to me,  out of of interest are they truck or cars cause here they call trucks cars.

[digger70]

Just now, Kwasaki said:

News to me,  out of of interest are they truck or cars cause here they call trucks cars.

I said Small cars.I did not price medium and big cars or trucks(utes) !

[Propellerhead]

I think I read somebody bought Ducati. Was it Harley?

VAG currently owns Ducati via Lamborghini and supposedly they are taking offers, though I read they rebuffed HD's initial offer.

It makes sense if HD can leverage Ducati's assembly lines in Thailand. I wonder how much of an overlap there is with dealer networks.


Sent from my iPhone using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app

[Kwasaki]

38 minutes ago, digger70 said:

I said Small cars.I did not price medium and big cars or trucks(utes) !

l'm still curious what small cars are made in Thailand l thought they only built/assembled in Thailand so was interested.

[BMW Overlander]

On 7/21/2017 at 4:14 AM, Anythingleft? said:

If they can't sell models for 6k USD in the states then how do they realistically expect to sell the same low end model for approximately 3 times the price in Thailand? If they do start assembly here and lower the huge tax then I am sure there would be a fair bit of interest
The model I looked at was roughly 3 times the price as listed in the UK, no way I would pay that just out of principle

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk
 

You would be surprised how many attention seeking, wannabe tough guys, both expats and Thais would go for it just to build their ego.

 

By far the worst and least safe brand in the world. Surprised they lasted this long anyway.

Edited July 22, 2017 by BMW Overlander

[bazza73]

4 hours ago, BMW Overlander said:

You would be surprised how many attention seeking, wannabe tough guys, both expats and Thais would go for it just to build their ego.

 

By far the worst and least safe brand in the world. Surprised they lasted this long anyway.

I'm just a humble scooter driver. HD's have always struck me as all show and no go. I suppose they work if one wants to sit on the world's biggest vibrator.

[guzzi850m2]

4 hours ago, BMW Overlander said:

You would be surprised how many attention seeking, wannabe tough guys, both expats and Thais would go for it just to build their ego.

 

By far the worst and least safe brand in the world. Surprised they lasted this long anyway.

Exactly but seems to apply to other brands as well.

 

BMW R1200 Adventure series seems to attract wannabe world tourers, where +75% of the buyers don't know how to ride off-road in the first place and that model got some problems too:

 

http://blog.motorcycle.com/2017/07/05/manufacturers/bmw/2014-2017-bmw-r1200gs-r1200gs-adventure-recalled-f/

[BMW Overlander]

12 hours ago, guzzi850m2 said:

Exactly but seems to apply to other brands as well.

 

BMW R1200 Adventure series seems to attract wannabe world tourers, where +75% of the buyers don't know how to ride off-road in the first place and that model got some problems too:

 

http://blog.motorcycle.com/2017/07/05/manufacturers/bmw/2014-2017-bmw-r1200gs-r1200gs-adventure-recalled-f/

 

Out of those 75%, at least 50% willing to learn off-roading, the reason they bought the bike at first place.

 

Perhaps you didn't know, GS is not exclusively off-road bike, there is such thing called DUAL PURPOSE motorcycle, look it up.

 

It takes you places which are off limits to conventional sport / touring bikes or HD relics.

 

To ride a HD you don't even need a skill, gramps can do it.

 

And thanks for the link, an example how BMW does things: creating awareness, performing free inspection and parts replacements.

 

Still the safest and most technologically advanced motorcycle brand.

Edited July 23, 2017 by BMW Overlander

[canthai55]

All well and good - you like BMW. Others do not share your choice of motorcycle.

And to state that no skill is required to ride a HD shows you have never ridden one for any length of time, or never ridden a fast one.

It takes skill to ride any motorcycle.

And to my eye it must be aesthetically pleasing - something which to my taste can not be said for any BMW.

Ride what you like. Let others do the same. And the asinine comments help no one

[Anythingleft?]

42 minutes ago, canthai55 said:

And to my eye it must be aesthetically pleasing - something which to my taste can not be said for any BMW.

Personally I would have either of these in a heartbeat..!!!     hope the attachments show up....

[johnarth]

20 hours ago, Gandtee said:

Glad to see that the Donald's made in America is working. An American icon made in Thailand?

I could be wrong but I think the bikes will still be made in America and imported to Thailand in parts then assembled in Thailand which will drop the price which they hope will start the sales over Asia. well is the way I see it. if so and it works the Donald has done well. But then I am Aussie lol