Harley Roars into China & Knockoffs Roar Out

“You just knew with the announcement of the first Harley dealership in China, we would see a flood of knock-off ‘Hardly-Davidson’s’ flooding the market,” explained Robin Hartfiel. “No sooner than the announcement came out, but I had photos from a certain Chinese company pitching me on their new line of Hardly Chinoise Motorbikes.”

Excerpt of Harley-Davidson Release Harley-Davidson Inc. will open its first dealership in China next month marking its entry into the burgeoning economy.

Beijing Harley-Davidson, partnered with dealer Beijing Feng Huo Lun founder Wan Jidong, will open in early April, 2006, the Milwaukee-based motorcycle manufacturer said.

The dealership will have an initial staff of 14 and is located on the Fourth Ring Road, just outside the downtown area in northeast Beijing.

The dealership will sell a range of Harley-Davidson Touring, Softail® and VRSC motorcycles, Genuine Parts and Accessories, and General Merchandise, including Harley-Davidson MotorClothes® apparel, and collectibles.

Harley-Davidson’s management believes the move into China represents a long-term opportunity. Progress will be gradual.

Ownership and riding restrictions remain impediments to the company’s growth there. Disposable income is still too low in China to support a large “premium, heavy-weight” motorcycle market. The company hopes that ownership and riding restrictions will be reduced as disposable income continues to grow.