Harley Sales Down, But Earnings Are Up

By Bud Wilkinson of RIDE-CT.com

Despite a drop in sales during the first quarter of 2013 when compared to a year ago, both in the U.S. and worldwide, Harley-Davidson today reported a 33.8 increase in earnings per share. First quarter net income was 224.1 million on consolidated revenue of $1.57 billion, compared to net income of $172 million in Q1 of 2012 and consolidated revenue of $1.43 billion.

U.S. dealers sold 34,706 new motorcycles between January and March, a decline of 12.7 percent. Harley attributed the drop to abnormally warm spring weather in 2012 that spurred sales. Worldwide, Harley dealers sold 54,254 motorcycles, down from 59,677 in the same quarter a year ago.

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Scooters are supposed to be affordable, right? Vespa will challenge that premise come fall with the introduction of the “retro-futuristic” 946 model. The MSRP will be $9,946.

That’s more than double the base price of some of its current 150cc models, and the 946 will only have a 125cc engine boasting 11.6 horsepower.

The engine is newly-designed; an air-cooled, fuel-injected four-stroke that promises 129 miles per gallon. The 946 will also have ABS and traction control. The wheelbase will be longer than existing models, too.

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