American Motorcycle Dealer AMD 189 April 2015 | Page 8

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The dealer inventory position
appears appropriate for the time of
year, but commentary suggests that
some dealerships’ levels of noncurrent models remain an issue.
Baird say that based on Harley
data and their own research
assumptions, the average US
dealers had 65 bikes at the end of
the fourth quarter, up from 60 bikes
at the end of the fourth quarter
2013.
Speaking to inventory levels and
Harley-Davidson's promotional
activity, one dealer said that "the
70% [Road Glide] order plan hurts
our ability to remain nimble with
r e s p e c t t o m a r ke t t r e n d s.

Forecasting such a large percentage
of our buying 90 days out doesn't
provide any strategic advantage to
my dealership." Another dealer said
that "they are promoting the wrong
things at the wrong time. I feel
marketing is way off this year and I
really do not appreciate a promo on
an oil change that does not even
cover my cost of goods. Too much
on the LiveWire, not enough push
on the Street when we finally got
units. Core products in the catalogs
that are on back order and cannot
be [obtained] until the season is not
acceptable –