Just saw yesterday that Longley's in Peterborough is closed. Apparently they are closing down quite a few across Canada but I can't seem to find much news on it.
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Canadian Harley Dealers closing
- Thread starter woot
- Start date
There's a thread.
www.gtamotorcycle.com
I haven't seen a full list yet. It is obvious that they are trimming the dealer network substantially.
Policaro Harley-Davidson. Great Dealership
I'm hearing this over on the Harley site. A lot of Harley dealerships are closing. Harley is not supplying product to them. They intend to close a lot of dealerships, mostly the mom and pop places in smaller towns. Likely has to do with the company's restructuring.
www.gtamotorcycle.com
I haven't seen a full list yet. It is obvious that they are trimming the dealer network substantially.
Not a Harley person, but this seems like this is just going to piss a lot of people off. Maybe not a good move for a company that seems to live and breathe on brand loyalty.
?
Wonder if any of these places will rebrand and start selling metrics/Indians out of spite
?
Wonder if any of these places will rebrand and start selling metrics/Indians out of spite
TK4
Well-known member
With the Motor Company's current plan to cut back production, hold off on new models and make the dealers sell what they can get (new and used) to clean out the pipeline, it makes it tough to keep a high overhead operation open.
Is H-D shutting them down or are they voluntarily packing it in ?
The dealers called the shots for years, right or wrong. Now the Mother Ship has decided to take back control.
Is H-D shutting them down or are they voluntarily packing it in ?
The dealers called the shots for years, right or wrong. Now the Mother Ship has decided to take back control.
TK4
Well-known member
I'd love to know more - any links ?
Pulling out entirely is easier. The indian dealers probably had their contract with HD India so head office can just kill HD India and move on. Since they are keeping some canadian dealers, that solution wouldnt work well.
Mad Mike
Well-known member
This isn’t unprecedented in the auto industry. Us automakers did this 10 years ago and it worked out well for the manufacturers and dealers.
I’d like to see bike dealers join into the automalls and auto strips we see in the car biz.
"Now, the rumour mill has it that the contract for every Canadian Harley-Davidson dealer is up at the end of this year, and the network will be trimmed right back. As well, multi-line dealers will apparently be forced to separate their lines to provide exclusivity to Harley. I was unable to contact Winhold this week to confirm this. But if it’s true, there are pros and cons.
The pros are that Harley shops could all be the clean, corporate, metal-and-glass dealerships that premium products demand, with no more dirty bikers hanging out in the back; the cons are that you might have to ride six hours to your local dealership for warranty work, like owners in Nova Scotia when Sydney’s Cabot Power Sports stops selling Harleys at the end of October."
Opinion: Harley-Davidson’s Future | Canada Moto Guide
Canada Moto Guide Editor Mark Richardson discussions the current state and future of Harley-Davidson, among the world’s most iconic brands.
canadamotoguide.com
J_F
Guest
I recall legal action and lots of trouble for GM
when they got rid of Pontiac and Oldsmobile
basically cut the dealer numbers is half
many had been in business for generations
I am surprised there were any multi-line HD dealers to begin with
Trials
Well-known member
You mean like Motosport Plus in Kingston, they've been around forever. Two entrances, separate showrooms.
It costs millions to support 'independent' dealers, co-op advertising , signage, sales brochures , all of it. Less dealers = less corporate cost.
As a manufacturer you can risk souring your customer base or keep running till your out of money. Hard choices
As a manufacturer you can risk souring your customer base or keep running till your out of money. Hard choices
They had to have as it's been my observation that the ones that have closed have done so with little more than a polite "We're closing" and then "We're closed" posts on social media.
No drama. No kicking and screaming. Nothing. Just 'see ya', turn off the lights, lock the doors.
So, kinda like Tesla. But without all the technology and stuff.
Last i was in a Canadian Harley dealer i seen more used US bikes on the floor then new bikes. I guess when you get limited stock you need to cast a wide net
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