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BMW Motorrad delivered 42,592 motorcycles and scooters to customers in the first three months of 2021 (+ 22.5 %) - its best-ever Q1 sales result - underpinning " BMW Motorrad ' s successful growth strategy . Both in terms of its strong product offering and the market launch of various new products - providing key elements for the continued success of BMW Motorrad ."

Harley-Davidson Board Member Brian Niccol has resigned from the Board of Directors . Niccol ' s ' day job ' is as Chairman and CEO of Chipotle Mexican Grill , Inc . It is not thought his departure is the result of disagreements with the company ' s direction of travel or policies .

As EICMA continues to work hard to win industry confidence for its November 24-28 planned 2021 ' Milan Show ', it has announced the addition of Royal Enfield to Honda as being among the OEMs to have committed to exhibit so far . In theory , this will be the 78th year for EICMA , if it goes ahead - with the uncertainty triggered by BMW ' s decision to withdraw from the show permanently and a third wave of the coronavirus pandemic still making nothing certain at this time . This is Royal Enfield ' s 120th anniversary - making it the longest motorcycle brand in continuous production in the world .

In association with R & R Promotions , the Loretta Lynn family is hosting the Tennessee Motorcycles and Music Revival at Hurricane Mills , TN ., May 20-23 . The brainchild of surrounding area Harley dealers , the event promises four days of bike shows , daily live music on three stages , flat track racing , demonstration rides , shopping with industry-leading vendors , local food trucks , three bars , trail riding and more .

In March , Congressmen Peter Welch of Vermont and John Curtis of Utah formally introduced the Recreational Trails Program Full Funding Act in the U . S . House of Representatives . The Act would increase funding from $ 84 million to at least $ 250 million per year , dramatically helping construction and maintenance on public lands , much of the work being long overdue .

<<< Continued from cover a 25 % incremental tariff ( 31 % total tariff ) on motorcycles imported into the European Union from the U . S ., including Harley-Davidson motorcycles . This tariff became effective June 22 , 2018 . The tariff is scheduled to increase to a 50 % incremental tariff ( 56 % total tariff ) effective June 1 , 2021 . " Harley-Davidson remains committed to free and fair trade and is focused on ensuring it remains globally competitive in the interests of its stakeholders and is committed to ensuring its customers around the world have access to its products ." In terms of its Q1 Fiscals , it looks like Harley ' s financial fortunes are somewhat on the mend , with Motorcycles and Related Products segment revenue up by + 12 % " amid strong retail demand for Touring motorcycles ." However , it has to be remembered that , as with all manufacturer and wider market data we ' ll be seeing in 2021 , the picture is distorted by lapping the sometimes quite dreadful pandemic-driven data seen in 2020 - so context is important in making any real judgement on Harley ' s progress . Global retail motorcycle sales in the first quarter were up + 9 %, " driven by very strong Q1 U . S . retail growth over Q1 prior year . EMEA retail sales declines were impacted by continued COVID lockdowns , the company ' s decision not to continue selling Street or Sportster motorcycles in Europe and shipping delays brought on by the pandemic . " In Latin America , retail sales were impacted by the reduction in dealers and pricing actions across the portfolio , which were executed as part of the Rewire strategy . " Significantly improved Motorcycle segment gross margin and operating margin were driven by favorable mix following the Rewire product portfolio adjustments , lower sales incentives and reduced SG & A . HDFS , Harley ' s Financial Services segment , saw Q1 2021 operating income growth of $ 96m over Q1 2020 - driven by a favorable adjustment to the provision for credit losses ." Jochen Zeitz is quoted as saying : " I am very pleased with the pace of recovery that we have seen across our business , as demonstrated by the strong financial results this quarter . The actions we have taken to reshape the business are having a positive impact on our results , especially for our most important North American region . " We can see the initial signs of consumer excitement and optimism returning and I am confident Harley- Davidson in 2021 is a significantly leaner , faster and more efficient

Harley-Davidson sales revenue and production data … 1st quarter 2021

Income statements in THREE MONTHS ENDED $ 1,000s ( except share ) MARCH 2021 MARCH 2020 % change

RETAIL SALES OF H-D MOTORCYCLES :

organization which is ready to win and successfully deliver on our 5-year Hardwire strategy as the most desirable motorcycle brand in the world ." Consolidated revenue was up + 10 % in the first quarter over Q1 2020 . " Bottom-line results reflect the significant net income improvement in Q1 with strong results in both the Motorcycles and the Financial Services segments . As stated , revenue from the Motorcycles and Related Products segment was up during the first quarter - " primarily driven by a + 3 % increase in wholesale shipments and a favorable mix of Touring motorcycles . First quarter global retail motorcycle sales were up + 9 %, driven by a + 31 % retail growth in the United States ." Parts and Accessories revenue was mostly in line with Motorcycle revenue growth , while General Merchandise was up + 2 % over Q1 2020 . First quarter gross margin was up 5.1 percentage points to Q1 prior year , while first quarter operating margin finished up 10.8 percentage points over Q1 prior year due to stronger mix , the near elimination of sales incentives and lower spending versus prior year . Financial Services segment operating income was up significantly over prior year in the first quarter , primarily driven by a $ 102m decrease in the provision for credit losses .

Harley-Davidson generated $ 163m of cash from operating activities during Q1 2021 , $ 171m favorable to Q1 2020 . Cash and cash equivalents were $ 2.3bn at the end of the first quarter , up $ 856m to the end of the prior year first quarter . " Cash allocation priorities remain to first fund growth through The Hardwire initiatives , then to pay dividends and , given the company ' s continued strong cash position , the company will be evaluating share repurchases and may choose to repurchase shares ."

Guidance - as a result of its Q1 performance , for the full-year 2021 , the company says it now expects :

• Motorcycles segment revenue growth to be 30-35 %, an increase from the previously communicated growth range of 20-25 %.

• Motorcycles segment operating income margin of 7-9 %, which is 200 basis points better than previous guidance . Assuming the company is not able to mitigate the additional EU tariffs to any extent in 2021 , the company expects the operating income margin would be 5-7 %, in line with original guidance .

• Financial Services segment operating income growth of 50-60 %, an increase from the previously communicated range of 10-15 %.

• Capital expenditures of $ 190m to $ 220m .