Almost a year after Harley-Davidson announced their plans to move to a direct distribution model in Canada, the move seems to be paying off.
Harley-Davidson released their Q1 sales results this week, and as usual with these things, saw a mixed bag of results: Sales of some products were up, sales in some markets were up, and the reverse was also true. But one of the most interesting tidbits of information is that the MoCo’s Canadian sales were up 16.3 per cent in the first quarter of 2016, when compared to 2015 numbers.
In the first three months of 2015, Harley-Davidson sold 2,123 motorcycles in Canada. In 2016, they sold 2,470.
Considering they ended up jettisoning some long-time personnel from Deeley when they took away their distributorship, their immediate progress in the Canadian market is impressive enough. However, when you consider the brand’s made-in-the-USA origins, and the collapse of the Canadian dollar in recent months vs. the US greenback, it’s likely that some of the competition in Canada is wondering –how much longer can they keep it up?
Roadster launch announced
Monday, when we told you about Harley-Davidson’s new Sportster-based Roadster, we told you we didn’t have a Canadian MSRP yet. Word is now, the bike is going to be officially released at Port Dover on May 13, and the price tag will also be announced then. If you’re interested in the sportiest Sportster to come down the pipe in a while, then maybe it will be worth braving the crowds to check the machine out.
It’s a nice looking motorcycle.
When comparing it to other HDs, it looks like something I might actually ride.
However, when comparing it to other motorcycles in general, it’s quickly drops down the list.
The Ducati Scrambler still tops this category for me, but I will say the HD Roadster is much nicer looking than the Bolt.
Wouldn’t it be nice if you could own one of each for a season or two and then be able to really compare.
I like Harley’s, I’ve owned 5 of them over the years. My first one, an old Ironhead, at 17 yrs old. Despite the impression given by my previous posts in which I’ve slammed HD a bit, I have to give them credit, where credit is due, for what they are dong with distribution and, especially, pricing.
I think part of the plan HD Canada has is to try and eliminate or drastically reduce the sales by used US Harley importers and draw those potential sales into the dealerships for new sales instead. The aggressive pricing of new bikes by Harley is putting them at such a level to do just that .Why buy a used 2, 3 4yr old Softail/Road King/ whatever with 5 to 10000 miles on it when you can hit the dealership for a new one at a few thousand dollars more? For example, advertised near me : 2013 Heritage, 6000 miles (9700km) @18200 vs a 2016 fully warranteed Heritage from the dealer at 20200? No brainer for me and maybe for a few others as well.
dong? Come on now proofread Paolo! Proofread! lol
Gee, I wonder if an improving economy had anything to do with it? Employment numbers are up in the populated provinces.
” In the first three months of 2015, Harley-Davidson sold 2,123 motorcycles in Canada. In 2016, they sold 2,470.”
Is that because dealers had more available inventory of popular models, better sales incentives, fire sales pricing ? Gives us a hint.
347 more machines hardly constitutes an out-of-the park home run.
There are lies, damn lies, and statistics….
Oh look a Bolt C-Spec clone