Be prepared to pay less for your Harley obsession.
Harley-Davidson will establish a production center in Thailand within five years to lower cost, price and hopefully double sales in ASEAN, which is currently the American cycle-maker’s second largest market, according to its Thai distribution company.
within five years, Ken Swenson, General Manager of Power Station Motor Sports – the
Currently, Harley bikes are hit with huge import duties of 90 percent to 100 percent. If produced locally, prices would drop to THB250,000 to THB300,000, about half of current sticker, according t o Ken Swenson, general manager of Power Station Motor Sports.
Swenson added sales in Asia have risen 11.3 percent from the previous year as it targets new, younger customers with updated, modern designs at lower prices.
“Harley started to target the buyers of upper-medium motorbikes which have cheaper prices and lower CCs,” Swanson said. “We do not think this will ruin our image at all because Harley is a lifestyle brand, and our customers understand this. Some customers even buy both a premium bike and a cheaper bike for different uses.”
He added the demand for Harley motorcycles outside of Bangkok has increased, and the company plans to launch showrooms in major cities throughout the country within five years under the budget of THB30 million to THB50 million each.
The confirm its off-the-chart sales figures, Harley Davidson has recently opened the largest showroom in ASEAN on Rama IX road, which displays 300 motorcycles, merchandise and accessories expected to bring the company a 30 percent sales increase.
Harley will also start a second-hand motorcycle business and accept trade-ins from, starting in the middle of 2014, Prachachart reported.
Photo: Harley Davidson
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