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BRIEFS
Six years after dropping out of the prestigious " blue-chip " S & P 100 stock listing in 2020, S & P has now downgraded Harley to a ' junk grade ' stock. The plan to try to claw its way out of low volume sales with lower priced( and therefore lower margin) units has not gone over well on Wall Street yet with concerns that increased sales of " price-point " models could equate to lower profits. The ongoing tension between Harley ' s need to propagate its brand and boost dealership door swings and investor ' s " need " to suck as much revenue out of the company as possible, is increasing the volume of calls for Artie Starrs and his CFO Jonathan Root to embrace the once considered impossible solution of de-listing and taking Harley back into private ownership. The company went onto the stock market in 1986 and in some circles, there is growing concern about the long-term benefits of its 4.9 % HDFS equity and loan book sale. According to S & P Global Ratings, Harley has been downgraded one notch to BB + from BBB-, moving its long-term credit rating from investment grade to what is commonly referred to as " junk " status. Despite the downgrade, S & P said " Harley- Davidson maintains a strong liquidity position. As of March 31, the company held approximately $ 1.8bn in cash and cash equivalents and had access to more than $ 2bn through its commercial paper program. The stable outlook reflects the company ' s liquidity and relatively conservative leverage profile," according to the ratings agency. Though technically possible, it is considered rare for a company to recover its position in the premium index listing. However, S & P ' s present assessment differs from other major credit agencies. According to their own reports, both Moody ' s and Fitch continue to rate Harley-Davidson ' s debt within investment-grade territory, although at different levels / PSB.
H-D revives Super Glide with 2,500 Limited Edition 250th Anniversary Specials
In celebration of America ' s 250th anniversary, Harley has added an homage to its iconic Super Glide with a new ' Liberty Edition ' Road Glide added to its 2026 ' Enthusiast Collection ' offering. The new limited-edition Super Glide motorcycle marks 55 years after the original ' Factory Custom ' motorcycle launched in 1971. " The 2026 model ' s definitive cruiser stance, laced wheels, brilliant chrome and classic paint and graphics are a tribute to the original 1971 Super Glide. Production will be limited to 2,500 serialized motorcycles and presented in 2026 as a Special Edition to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the U. S. A." The 1971 Harley-Davidson FX Super Glide was one of the first complete motorcycles styled by Willie G. Davidson, who joined the Motor Company as a designer in 1963 and was inspired in part by home-built custom motorcycles he had seen prowling the streets of Los Angeles. The FX Super Glide combined the Big Twin FL chassis with a narrow XL Sportster front fork. Its white finish
with red and blue striping and stretched Bar and Shield tank graphic are reprised on the 2026 Super Glide model. The 2026 Super Glide will only be offered in the United States and Canada with an MSRP of $ 15,999. In addition to the wire wheels, this 2026 Super Glide special features a five-gallon teardrop fuel tank topped with a chrome console, and a chrome mini ape handlebar; an M8 117 Classic
V-Twin; the fuel tank and fenders are finished in White Onyx Pearl paint topped with red and blue fender striping and graphics inspired by the 1971 Super Glide model, with serialization presented on the fuel tank console, and brilliant chrome powertrain trim and covers including air cleaner cover, single muffler exhaust, side covers, rear fender struts, signals and headlamp.