Harley-Davidson Q3 Sales 2014 Report
Harley-Davidson has reported strong sales and financial results for the third quarter of 2014.
The Motor Company says that 73,217 new models were sold worldwide during Q3 compared to 70,517 during the same period of 2013. Much of the growth success is attributed to the launch of new 2015 models in late August.
“With the successful launch of the 2015 motorcycles in late August, including the return of the Road Glide models, and the outstanding efforts of our dealers, third-quarter retail Harley-Davidson motorcycle sales topped the strong growth of the year-ago quarter,” says Harley-Davidson, Inc. Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Keith Wandell.
“A rebound in Sportster motorcycle sales from this year’s second quarter and increased availability of the Street 750 and Street 500 motorcycles also contributed to these positive results.”
The US topped Q3 sales with 50,167 new motorcycles, up 3.4 percent compared to sales of 48,529 motorcycles in Q3 of 2013.
In international markets, Harley dealers sold 23,050 new motorcycles in the third quarter compared to 21,988 motorcycles in the year-ago period, with sales up 12.8 percent in the Asia Pacific Region, 1.7 percent in the EMEA Region and 7.0 percent in the Latin America Region and down 5.8 percent in Canada.
Harley reports that through the first nine months of 2014, dealers sold 220,850 new Harley-Davidson motorcycles worldwide compared to 214,964 motorcycles in the year-ago period, with retail unit sales up 1.9 percent in the U.S., 11.0 percent in the Asia Pacific Region, 5.9 percent in the EMEA Region and 1.2 percent in the Latin America Region and down 11.4 percent in Canada compared to the year-ago period.
The results are impressive considering last year’s third quarter signified the launch of the Project Rushmore lineup. Harley says Project Rushmore “spurred year-over-year retail sales growth of 20.1 percent in the U.S. and 15.5 percent worldwide, giving the third quarter of 2013 one of the strongest single-quarter retail increases in recent years for Harley-Davidson.”
“Harley-Davidson’s third-quarter financial results were in line with our expectations, and we are on track for a year of growth and strong financial performance in 2014,” Wandell adds.
“We continue to see the success of our product, manufacturing and retail strategies, which are delivering an outstanding customer experience, driving bottom-line improvement and expanding the reach of the brand.”
