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Harley-Davidson, Inc. is a renowned manufacturer of motorcycles, focusing on both traditional internal combustion and electric models. The company designs, manufactures, and sells motorcycles, along with related parts, accessories, and apparel. Additionally, Harley-Davidson offers financial services to support motorcycle sales, enhancing its comprehensive market presence.
- Harley-Davidson Motor Company (HDMC) - Designs, manufactures, and sells internal combustion engine motorcycles, parts, accessories, and branded apparel.
- Motorcycles - Produces motorcycles with engine displacements ranging from 600cc to approximately 1900cc.
- Parts & Accessories - Offers replacement parts and mechanical and cosmetic enhancements.
- Apparel & Licensing - Sells branded clothing and riding gear under the Genuine MotorClothes® line and licenses the Harley-Davidson name for various products.
- Harley-Davidson Financial Services (HDFS) - Provides retail and wholesale financing for motorcycle purchases and collaborates with insurance companies to offer motorcycle insurance and protection products.
- LiveWire - Focuses on electric motorcycles and related products, selling through independent retail partners and online channels.
- Electric Motorcycles - Sells electric motorcycles primarily in Europe.
- Electric Balance Bikes - Offers electric balance bikes for children under the STACYC brand.
| Name | Position | External Roles | Short Bio | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Jochen Zeitz ExecutiveBoard | President and CEO | Chairman of the Board of LiveWire Group, Inc.; Advisor and Board Member of the Cranemere Group Limited; Co-founder of The B Team; Founder and Chairman of the ZEITZ Foundation; Founder of Segera Conservancy and The Long Run; Co-founder of the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) | Jochen Zeitz has been the CEO of Harley-Davidson since May 2020, focusing on segmentation and execution for both traditional combustion and electric vehicle segments. He has implemented the "Hardwire" strategy for future growth. | View Report → |
Jonathan R. Root Executive | CFO and President, Commercial | N/A | Jonathan R. Root has over 25 years of experience in financial services and corporate finance. He has been with Harley-Davidson since 2011, serving in various roles before becoming CFO and President, Commercial in January 2025. | |
Mark R. Kornetzke Executive | Chief Accounting Officer | N/A | Mark R. Kornetzke has been with Harley-Davidson since 2009, serving as the Chief Accounting Officer. | |
Allan Golston Board | Director | President of the United States Program for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; Board Member at Stryker Corporation; Board Member at Gates Philanthropy Partners | Allan Golston has been a director at Harley-Davidson since 2017. He brings expertise in engineering product development and reducing environmental impact. | |
James Duncan Farley, Jr. Board | Director | President and CEO of Ford Motor Company; Member of Ford's Board of Directors; Represents Ford on the U.S.-China Business Council Board of Directors; Co-chair of the Future of Mobility Commission | James Duncan Farley, Jr. has been a director at Harley-Davidson since 2021. He is the President and CEO of Ford Motor Company, focusing on operational excellence and sustainable profit growth. | |
Jared D. Dourdeville Board | Director | Partner at H Partners Management, LLC | Jared D. Dourdeville was appointed to the Board in February 2022. He brings a long-term investor's perspective and experience in leveraging technology to facilitate business objectives. | |
Maryrose Sylvester Board | Director | Board Member at Waste Management, Inc., Vontier Corporation, Flex Ltd. | Maryrose Sylvester has been a director at Harley-Davidson since 2016. She has expertise in engineering product development and reducing environmental impact, with leadership experience at GE and ABB Group. | |
Norman Thomas Linebarger Board | Director | Former Executive Chairman and CEO of Cummins Inc.; Former Chair of the US-China Business Council | Norman Thomas Linebarger has been a director at Harley-Davidson since 2008. He has extensive experience in leadership roles at Cummins Inc. | |
Rafeh Masood Board | Director | Chief Digital and Growth Officer of Royal Caribbean Group; Adjunct Faculty Member at Carnegie Mellon University | Rafeh Masood was appointed to the board in August 2022. He has extensive experience in digital and omnichannel strategy, supporting Harley-Davidson's Hardwire strategy. | |
Sara Levinson Board | Director | Co-founder and Director of Katapult, Inc.; Board Member at Macy's, Inc. | Sara Levinson has been a director at Harley-Davidson since 1996. She has extensive experience in leadership, marketing, and digital media, supporting Harley-Davidson's brand and online presence. | |
Troy Alstead Board | Director | Founder and CEO of Harbor O5 LLC; Board Member at Levi Strauss & Co., Array Technologies, Inc., OYO Global, RASA Indian Grill | Troy Alstead has been a director at Harley-Davidson since 2017. He is the founder and CEO of Harbor O5 LLC and has held various roles at Starbucks Corporation. |
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Given the 13% decline in global retail sales and your plan to maintain dealer inventory levels flat year-over-year, what measures are you taking to prevent overstocking and potential further destocking in 2025 if retail softness persists?
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With HDMC operating income margin down 720 basis points year-over-year and a challenging macroeconomic environment, how confident are you in achieving the 15% operating margin target by 2025, and what specific initiatives will drive this improvement?
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International retail sales declined 23% in EMEA and 16% in Asia Pacific due to macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties—what targeted strategies are you implementing to address these declines and bolster international performance?
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LiveWire's full-year guidance has been revised downward, and significant cost-cutting measures are underway; at what point will you reevaluate the sustainability of investing in LiveWire if EV market adoption remains slow?
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With high interest rates affecting big-ticket discretionary spending and a stronger demand from higher-income customers, how are you planning to attract mid-income consumers, and is there a plan to introduce more affordable motorcycles to counteract declining sales?
Notable M&A activity and strategic investments in the past 3 years.
| Company | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
LiveWire | 2022 | LiveWire, Harley-Davidson’s electric motorcycle division, was taken public through a SPAC business combination with AEA-Bridges Impact Corp. (ABIC). The deal featured a structured financing with $400 million held in trust, additional investments from Harley-Davidson ($100 million, with a potential extra $100 million) and $100 million from KYMCO, resulting in approximately $294 million net proceeds and a post-transaction equity structure with Harley-Davidson retaining 89.4% control. This strategic transaction aimed to position LiveWire as a leader in the electric motorcycle market while enabling a public listing on the NYSE under the symbol “LVWR”. |
Recent press releases and 8-K filings for HOG.
- Harley-Davidson sent a letter to shareholders regarding its 2025 Annual Meeting (May 14, 2025), urging them to vote the white proxy card "FOR ALL" highly qualified Director nominees to ensure strong board leadership for its next CEO transition.
- The letter criticizes H Partners for what it describes as a misleading campaign aimed at destabilizing the board, despite their previous support for the current CEO and strategic plan.
- Consolidated Q1 2025 revenue fell 23% to $1,329 million with diluted EPS of $1.07 .
- Consolidated operating income reached $160 million with a 12.1% margin, reflecting robust cost control .
- The HDMC segment saw revenue decline by 27% and operating income plunge 51% (margin 10.8%) .
- The HDFS segment improved with a 19% increase in operating income and maintained a 26.1% margin .
- Global retail motorcycle sales dropped 21% globally and 24% in North America due to softer demand and reduced shipments .
- Capital allocation & product updates: Repurchased 3.4 million shares for $87 million, withdrew 2025 guidance amid tariff uncertainties, and launched new 2025 Softail motorcycle models with positive initial feedback .
- Harley-Davidson defends its Hardwire strategic plan and robust governance framework, ensuring strong oversight amid challenging market conditions.
- The Board outlines a thorough CEO search process to select leaders who uphold the company’s legacy and deliver shareholder value.
- The release criticizes H Partners for a disruptive, misleading campaign and urges shareholders to vote "FOR ALL" board nominees via the WHITE proxy card.
- Purple Chip Capital, a long-term shareholder, supports the campaign for board and strategic changes and plans to withhold votes on CEO/Chairman and select directors at the 2025 Annual Meeting.
- Criticism is also aimed at the shift toward online sales and off-brand products—especially the electric Livewire—with a call to return to classics like the Sportster 883.
- Jared Dourdeville resigned from the Board of Directors on April 5, 2025, citing concerns over succession planning, board governance, and the Company’s long-term strategic direction.
- The filing details internal discussions on CEO succession, evaluations of candidate options, and references to the ongoing Hardwire strategic plan.