Harley Davidson to axe 6 motorcycles from its portfolio

Come 2014 and Harley Davidson would discontinue 6 models from its lineup. The models facing the axe would be the XR1200X Sportster, FXS Softail Blackline, FLHTC Electra Glide Classic, FLHRC Road King Classic and the FLHR Road King.

Harley Davidson XR1200X

Harley Davidson FXS Softail Blackline

Harley Davidson FLHTC Electra Glide Classic

The XR1200X Sportster, FXS Softail Blackline and the FLHTC Electra Glide Classic are being primarily taken off the lineup due to stagnant sales. The FLHRC Road King Classic would see discontinuation of sales in North America while the FLHR Road King will see end of sales in other regions.

Harley Davidson FLHR Road King

With a revamp in the pipeline for the FLTRX Road Glide Custom and FLTRU Road Glide Ultra, there will be a temporary cease of sales for both these tourers till the production lines are updated for the new rollout.

Harley Davidson FLTRX Road Glide Custom

2013 harley davidson FLTRU Road Glide Ultra

The news isn’t an official statement from the Milwaukee based motorcycle manufacturer, but rather a leaked communication that Harley Davidson had sent out to it’s dealers before the annual dealer convention. Clarifying on the said stand taken by Harley Davidson, the memo reads “optimise the number of choices available, reduce product overlap, reflect marketplace dynamics and reduce model complexity in showrooms”.

Global YoY sales figures of Harley Davidson motorcycles have witnessed a decline with 54,254 motorcycles being sold in the first quarter of 2013 as compared to 59,677 units of last year- down 12.7%. However Harley Davidson has quoted first quarter income of 2013 at US$ 224.1 million when compared to US$172 million in 2012.

Keith Wandell, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Harley-Davidson said “With our focus on continuous improvement throughout our operations and providing outstanding products and customer experiences, we have continued to deliver gains in Harley-Davidson’s financial and competitive performance. The successful launch of seasonal surge production at our York assembly operations in the first quarter is the latest example of our efforts to drive greater efficiency and be even more responsive to the market. Thanks to the outstanding efforts of our employees, dealers and suppliers, we believe Harley-Davidson is well positioned to deliver on all the ways we serve our customers, generate strong results for investors and build a successful business for the long term.”

Via VisorDown

4 thoughts on “Harley Davidson to axe 6 motorcycles from its portfolio”

  1. Pit Bull Da Kahuna

    Cannot believe that the Road Glide and Ultra Glide Classic our going away. Of course they do not say what is going to replace these top of the line baggers.

  2. No Road King. OK, fine. Just hope the MOCO provides a model as nice of riding and NOT make me pay for electronic s**t that I don’t want.

  3. scooter trash custom cycle

    that’s got to be bullshit the road glide is the best motorcycle on the market along with all the bagger models if they do this say good bye to Harley Davidson motor company …….

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