H-D News

Press Release from Harley-Davidson:

Milwaukee, Wis. (July 16, 2003) - Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE: HDI) today
announced record revenue and earnings for its second quarter ended June 29, 2003. Revenue for the quarter was $1.22 billion compared with $1.00 billion in the year-ago quarter, a 21.8 percent increase. Second quarter diluted earnings per share (EPS) were 66 cents, a 40.4 percent increase compared with last year’s 47 cents.

“We are pleased with our strong results for 2003 as we head into the second half of the year,” said Jeffrey L. Bleustein, chairman and chief executive officer of Harley-Davidson, Inc. “Our U.S. dealer network sold more motorcycles in this quarter than in any other quarter in our 100-year history. Retail sales grew more than 14 percent compared with last year and outpaced our wholesale shipments by over 11,000 units,” added Bleustein.

On Monday, July 14, the Company unveiled its 2004 Model Year motorcycles to its dealers at its summer meeting held in Las Vegas. “Our dealer network is enthusiastic about the new 2004 Model Year motorcycles which will be available to the public in September. They are particularly excited about the completely redesigned Sportster family, which the Company believes will be a significant factor in attracting new customers and driving demand for Harley-Davidson products well into the future,” said Bleustein.

Motorcycles and Related Products Segment – Second Quarter Results
Second quarter revenue from Harley-Davidson® motorcycles was $955.4 million, an increase of 25.7 percent over last year. Worldwide shipments of Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the second quarter totaled 76,025 units, up 10,485 units or 16.0 percent over last year. After exceeding its second quarter target by 600 units, the Company is increasing its full year 2003 target for Harley-Davidson motorcycles from 290,000 to 290,600. The new target represents a 10.2 percent increase over the prior year. The new factory in York, PA is scheduled to begin ramping up in the third quarter as assembly of the Softail® family of motorcycles is relocated to the new plant.

Second quarter revenue from Parts and Accessories (P&A), which consists of Genuine Motor Parts and Genuine Motor Accessories, totaled $204.2 million, a 20.9 percent increase, or $35.4 million more than the year-ago quarter. Anniversary related sales accounted for $16.5 million and are not expected to be significant in the second half of the year. For the full year 2003, the Company expects P&A revenues to grow slightly faster than the motorcycle unit growth rate.

Second quarter revenue from General Merchandise, which consists of MotorClothes? apparel and collectibles, totaled $43.7 million, down 14.9 percent or $7.6 million over the same period last year. During the second quarter of 2002, General Merchandise revenue benefited from $12 million in 100th Anniversary products. In 2003, shipments of 100th Anniversary merchandise were essentially completed in the first quarter. Given the strong prior year 100th Anniversary revenue, General Merchandise revenue for the full year 2003 is expected to be lower than in 2002.

Second quarter operating margin increased from 18.3 percent in 2002 to 21.9 percent. This increase was primarily driven by the second quarter gross margin, which was 36.4 percent of revenue compared with 33.5 percent in 2002. Gross margin was favorably impacted by wholesale motorcycle price increases, a richer product mix and foreign currency exchange rates. These positive factors were partially offset by higher retirement and health care costs.

The Company believes that gross margin during the second half of the year will be lower than that in the first half due to pricing, product mix and startup costs associated with the new factory for Softail motorcycles in York, PA. Pricing for the 2004 Model Year motorcycles will reflect the elimination of 100th Anniversary special edition features. The third quarter ramp up of the new factory will reduce the number of Softail motorcycles in the mix relative to other product families, while the redesigned Sportster® line of motorcycles will become a larger part of the product mix for the foreseeable future. Softail motorcycles are among the Company’s highest margin motorcycles, while Sportster motorcycles have lower margins.
Get Motorcycle.com in your Inbox
Comments
Join the conversation
Next