Special Report BW50
Rev Those Engines
U.S. carmakers could learn a thing or two from HARLEY-DAVIDSON INC. (No. 128). Twenty-five years ago, the motorcycle maker was down for the count against far stronger Japanese competition. Management bought the company from a lackluster parent and buckled down to boost quality and create a brand around the biker lifestyle. Harley’s success since then is legendary. But now growth is slowing— profits increased 17% in the past year, down from the company’s three-year average of 27%. To kickstart performance, Harley must get more women and younger riders interested in its bikes.
