Motorcyle and Biker Ride Reports and General Info

Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Norman Gregory Fernandez

If you have been in a Motorcycle Accident ANYWHERE in The State of California, call me now 24 hours per day, 7 days a week, for a free consultation at 800-816-1Law (800-816-1529), Extension 1

Real World riding experiences, good and bad, of California Biker and Motorcycle Lawyer Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq., and other authors.

General Information and Motorcycle Product Reviews will also be posted here. If you wish to contribute to the this section section of the blog shoot us an email to law@norman-law.com.

Search

Choose skin

biker
custom

Linkblog

Motorcycle Manufacturers

Law Blogs

Lawyers

My Motorcycle and Biker Law Firm Website This is my law firm's Motorcycle Website. On my website you will find out about The Law Office of Norman Greogory Fernandez's law practice related to Motorcycle and Biker personal injury, biker's rights, criminal law, online legal books, and ton's of information. Check it out!
The Law Offices of Norman Gregory Fernandez & Associates This is my main website. On this site you will find out about the various aspects of my law firm's legal practice. We do Personal Injury, Family Law, Civil Litigation, Appelate Work, Criminal Law, Workers Compensation, and other types of cases. There is a ton of information on my mail website. Check it out!

Non Motorcycle Related Links

GalaxyStorm Radio The Best Rock & Roll on the Net GalaxyStorm Radio is the best Rock & Roll radio station on the internet. Their playlist is the best I have ever heard. They play Rock & Roll from the 60's to present time and they have some great comedy on their station as well. Their website has tons of fun stuff to look at too!

Motorcycle Rights Organizations

Motorcycle Events

Motorcycle Education and Resources

Legal Links

Calfornia Wrongful Death Center This website deals exclusively with Wrongful Death in the State of California. If you have been the victim of a wrongful death in California check out this site.
California Family Law Center This is the main family law website for the Law Offices of Norman Gregory Fernandez & Associates. You will find all sorts of information related to California Family Law on this site.
California Personal Injury Center This is the Law Office of Norman Greogory Fernandez's main personal injury website. If you have been injured in the State of California you are going to want to check out this site.

Motorcycle & Biker Blogs

A day in the life of Michael N. Odom, A Biker's Blog Michael N. Odom is a biker and a whole lot more. I recommend that you check out his Blog for many interesting articles written from a biker's perspective.

Other

Legal Disclaimer
The Biker and Motorcycle Lawyer Blog / Blawg, the Biker and Motorcycle Related Legal Articles Blog, the Motorcycle Safety Tips Blog, the Link Blog, the Motorcyle and Biker Ride Reports Blog, the California Personal Injury Lawyer, Attorney, Blog, and the Southern California Family Law Blog / Blawg is published by Attorney Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq., and The Law Offices of Norman Gregory Fernandez & Associates, as an educational resource only. None of the material on this site is expressly or impliedly meant to provide legal advice to you in any way shape or form. Since the material on this site is provided for educational use only, and laws continuously change from time to time, the author of this website neither expressly nor impliedly warrants that any of the material provided on this website is accurate. If you have a legal issue we strongly suggest that you contact a lawyer in your State for a legal consultation. If you are in the State of California, you may contact The Law Offices of Norman Gregory Fernandez & Associates for a consultation on your matter. No attorney / client relationship shall be expressly or impliedly created between Attorney Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq., or The Law Offices of Norman Gregory Fernandez and you, by the publishing of articles on this site, nor should you interpret that any such relationship has been created by the publishing of any content on this site.
All articles related to Biker Safety are provided for educational use only, and constitute expressions of opinions and advice of the author only. Attorney Norman Gregory Fernandez and The Law Offices of Norman Gregory Fernandez shall assume no liability whatsoever for your reliance on any of articles contained herein, nor should you rely on said articles as statements of fact.

Misc

XML Feeds

RSS 0.92: Posts, Comments
RSS 1.0: Posts, Comments
RSS 2.0: Posts, Comments
Atom: Posts, Comments

What is RSS?

Is Honda Motor Corporation about to buy Harley Davidson?

06/25/07

Is Honda Motor Corporation about to buy Harley Davidson?

09:28:45 pm, by Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq.

, 510 words, 7485 views

Categories: News, Announcement, Articles, Editorial, Other

I have been reading about the rumors that Honda Motor Corporation is going to be buying Harley Davidson for the past week. I have been reading the expected responses from die hard loyal Harley Davidson motorcycle riders that it will never happen, it is just a rumor, etc.

Then my friend from Blawg Review sent me a link to an article in Biker News Online which contains links to articles on subject from the Associated Press, Forbes, and Reuters. I concur with Biker News Online that publications such as these do not just throw rumors out unless there is some validity to the story.

The big question is; can Honda buy Harley Davidson? Yes they can.

What most people do not realize about publicly owned companies such as Harley Davidson is that they are owned by stockholders and not just by one or two people.

I am not going to write a dissertation on what a Public Corporation is as opposed to a privately held company. However, I will tell you that once a Corporation goes public, which means shares of their stock are purchased and sold on the public stock exchange, anything is possible. Most publicly held corporations have what is called a majority stockholder who owns the largest percentage of shares in a corporation.

Corporate takeovers can be friendly or they can be hostile.

Harley Davidson was taken over years ago by AMF Corporation. Later, the management and employees of Harley Davidson managed to arrange to buy a majority share of Harley Davidson stock from AMF, which made it an independent Public company again, with the majority of shares being owned by the company.

From what I have read, such a takeover of Harley Davidson by Honda would result in a Honda that controls 60 percent of the motorcycle market. This issue brings forth another issue; even if Honda decided to purchase Harley Davidson through a friendly or hostile takeover, would Federal Anti-Trust Regulators allow such a deal to happen? Could be, you never know.

My personal take on a potential Honda takeover of Harley Davidson is that I hope it does not happen. Harley Davidson is an American Icon and a national treasure that I think should be preserved as an American Company. Harley Davidson is uniquely American just like apple pie and the 4th of July.

Furthermore, the vast amount of corporate mergers that have taken place in the past 3 decades, have very much taken away true competition in every market from consumer electronics to automobiles.

I do not know if Harley Davidson has the will, means or muscle to keep a takeover from happening. They are supposed to do what is in the stockholders interest. That is how Public Corporations operate. In the end it will be decided by the shareholders of Harley Davidson themselves. Will their greed allow Honda to take over Harley Davidson? In the free market, a lust for profit drives everything.

I hope Harley Davidson remains an American Company.

Everyone is welcome to comment on this story.

Permalink 26 comments • Trackback (0)

Trackback address for this post:

Comments, Trackbacks, Pingbacks:

Comment from: Sandie[Member} [Visitor]

· http://bikerlawblog.com/index

I hope that Honda does not buy Harley Davidson. My husband has Harley Davidson stock. I hate to bring this up.......but, most Harley parts are foreign made and some bikes are not even assembled in the USA. Look at the Harley Davidson T-shirt,leather vests,chaps,handbags and saddle bags or boots and read the label and see where they are made and then look at the price tag. Shame on the American Icon. My husband saves all stock parts and new parts boxes, even a derby cover is made in Korea but it is officially licensed Harley Davidson.

Permalink 06/26/07 @ 12:22

Comment from: Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq. [Member]

· http://www.motorcycleaccidentlawyer.biz/

You are right Sandie. Our nation has pimped most of it's manufacturing capability to third world nations to cut cost. Harley Davidson has done the same thing on many of it's items.

Our nation has probably already forgot how to mass manufacture many items and products.

Nonetheless I hope Honda does not buy Harley.

Permalink 06/26/07 @ 16:37

Comment from: Kristanna [Visitor]

This rumor about Honda, producer of designer Honda emblems- http://www.aftermarketperformanceparts.com/honda-emblems.html -buying Harvey Davidson has been all over the net. I haven't seen anyone from among these articles, even in this one, have agreed into this action. Consequently, this might not be pursued by Honda.

Permalink 06/26/07 @ 18:46

Comment from: Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq. [Member]

· http://www.motorcycleaccidentlawyer.biz/

The point of my article is that the rumor is also in the mainstream media now, i.e., Associated Press, Reuters, Forbes, etc.

Publications like these don't write stories unless there is some basis for the story. Interestingly neither Honda or Harley are denying the rumors.

In the end we will find out won't we!

Norm

Permalink 06/26/07 @ 19:10

Comment from: Sandie[Member} [Visitor]

· http://bikerlawblog.com/index

Yes, Norm it is a sad day when we go into a dealership and pay $24.95 for a men's t-shirt with the dealership name and Harley Logo on the back and the shirt comes from China. Yes, we will find out in the end if Honda is buying Harley. I agree there is something to the story when Associated Press is printing the story. Can you just imagine going into a Honda/Harley dealership??? What will the back of the T-shirts look like????? I went and looked at the part boxes and I am sorry to say that not one was manufactured in the United States.

Permalink 06/27/07 @ 16:31

Comment from: Motorbikes [Visitor]

· http://www.bikeintro.com

It is harley death when this happens.

Permalink 06/29/07 @ 02:55

Comment from: Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq. [Member]

· http://www.motorcycleaccidentlawyer.biz/

Let's just hope it does not happen!

Norm

Permalink 06/29/07 @ 03:57

Comment from: Sandie[Member} [Visitor]

· http://bikerlawblog.com/index

Can anyone just imagine what the T-shirts we buy at Harley dealerships will look like???

Permalink 06/29/07 @ 22:27

Comment from: Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq. [Member]

· http://www.motorcycleaccidentlawyer.biz/

God AMF was bad enough; "Harley Davidson-Honda." It makes me sick thinking about it.

Permalink 06/29/07 @ 22:49

Comment from: Gary [Visitor]

They would say it as: "Honda-Harley Davidson".....LOL

Permalink 07/01/07 @ 10:44

Comment from: Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq. [Member]

· http://www.motorcycleaccidentlawyer.biz/

Oh god help me...........

Permalink 07/01/07 @ 19:43

Comment from: Ken [Visitor]

The one thing I have seen in the many years that I have riden motorcycle is that the honda brand will out perform, cost less, be of a higher quality. "the death of Harley" as quoted from above....no.....the take over ( if in fact ) will turn the motorcycle icon in to a "real" motorcycle.
I would consider buying one then.
Honda and kawasaki both have plants in the US.
Harley is not an american made product, just assembled in the US.

Permalink 07/02/07 @ 19:45

Comment from: Deviate [Visitor]

· http://www.ricekiller.com

I have to admit: I would absolutely laugh.

Honestly, I seriously doubt it would change HD's product much (if at all). I just think it would be hilarious because it would irritate oh-so-many brand loyalists. Especially since a lot of loyal HD owners tend to be less than accepting of other brands (namely Honda) than most bikers.

Permalink 07/11/07 @ 10:36

Comment from: Sandie[Member} [Visitor]

· http://bikerlawblog.com/index

I am a "loyalist" that would not be happy. It would be like the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers football teams combining. Thus a big rivalry gone forever!! I am still wondering about the back of Harley Dealerships logo shirts. I just can't imagine a Honda/Davidson T-shirt???

Permalink 07/16/07 @ 05:24

Comment from: John Mendol [Visitor]

Hold on people !
I love the Harley as much as the next guy but we are now talking about survival.
Let's look at what Harley has been doing to put food on the table lately. China and Mexico come to mind ? The all American Icon has turned it's back on what it stands for.
If you want to talk about a commitment to the North American , you need not look any further than Honda itself. With aproximately 80% of it's content in automobiles being North American (The big 3 don't come close) , as well as the fact they are commited to building the products where they are sold, it is hard to think of them as the Japanese enemy anymore. Honda builds great products and you can be sure their aim would be to preserve the American ideals. Afterall , their own bikes are mainly maunufactured in Ohio with most of the parts coming form local suppliers.
Let's face it, the war ended along time ago and it is time to put the us against them attitude to bed.
If you want to see Harley survive you should be happy a successful , financially secure , North American manufacturer like Honda is interested.

Permalink 07/25/07 @ 12:32

Comment from: Sandie[Member} [Visitor]

· http://bikerlawblog.com/index

John Mendol is correct and his comment well stated. It is like the Pittsburgh Steelers becoming bed buddies with the Cleveland Browns........... The United States no longer grows enough food to feed our country.

Permalink 07/26/07 @ 05:35

Comment from: Mark Salyzyn [Visitor]

John Mendol's claim is mostly correct. The Honda GoldWing is more of an American Motorcycle than the Harley, although neither can be classed as American Made due to content rules.

Permalink 08/06/07 @ 14:08

Comment from: Jon [Visitor]

I like the comradeship HD promotes and the "family" concept. It is marketing, true but it seems to work. HD has cult creation like Starbucks or Apple computers.

I don't believe Honda would care to continue that. Honda has no reason they think to celebrate America or the military or any of the traditions we hold dear. Harley does that and appeals to a segment that is proud to be American.

I just went to a Honda site to see the motorcycles and I had to first wade through all the cars and SUVs which are what Honda cares about. Seems the bikes are an after thought.

I sincerely hope Honda does not but HD. (What about regulatory considerations??) However if they do, it would certainly be an end to an era of expressive motorcycling. Insted of displaying my American/POW flag on the back of my bike, I guess I would get a Starbuck banner and learn to go poetry readings insted of bike rallys.

Permalink 08/20/07 @ 15:46

Comment from: Sandie[Member} [Visitor]

· http://bikerlawblog.com/index

Fords now make a Harley Davidson line truck. The Hallmarks stores now carry merchandise that has Harley Davidson on the logo and these items are most often made in China.You do not have to go to a licensed Harley Dealership to buy Harley merchandise. I was in Lake George, New York last weekend and there was Harley merchandise in most every store. I bought my Harley shirt from McDermotts Harley Davidson and it was made in China. I would recommend that anyone who would like to ride in a beautiful place hit Lake George, NY for the Americade next summer.

Permalink 08/22/07 @ 06:11

Comment from: charlie [Visitor]

at long last we might be able to buy a harley that has performance and reliability.

Permalink 08/23/07 @ 15:19

Comment from: Dave [Visitor]

I am a Harley Davidson Loyalist, I am reading in this column that alot of people are saying that alot of Harley Davidson parts and clothing are made in China, and Tawiian, can you imagine if all of that stuff was American made, you would not be able to afford it. Shame on the Greedy American workers who gets 20.00/hour or more to make this stuff. You would not be able to afford it. You wonder why companies go outside of the United States. Shame on the Unions. You think people would learn from the steel companies but I guess not. If this takeover happens I will most certainly by myself a Victory.

Permalink 09/09/07 @ 17:54

Comment from: Norman Gregory Fernandez, Esq. [Member]

· http://www.motorcycleaccidentlawyer.biz/

I don't know Dave. Are you saying American workers should work for a buck an hour like the Chinese?

If Americans were paid like 3rd world workers how could they buy a house, pay for rent, get medical insurance, or even afford to live for that matter?

I don't know about unions, but I do know that you need money to live in this country. I don't expect American workers to be paid slave wages like they do in Communist China or in India.

I do know one thing, all of our manufacturing is being shipped overseas because of the slave wages being paid over there. In the end for us to compete our workers would have to accept slave wages. It really is a shit sandwich!

Norm

Permalink 09/10/07 @ 16:26

Comment from: Sandie[Member} [Visitor]

· http://bikerlawblog.com/index

Norm: Your comment is so right. Sir, I agree with you 100%. Want to run for President? This country needs somebody with your brains and knows the laws. AMEN!!!!!

Permalink 09/11/07 @ 20:24

Comment from: Jeremy [Visitor]

A Honda/Harley merger would put them at 65% of the US motorcycle market, according to Forbes. Yamaha would come in 2nd at 16%. No way the FTC would let that happen, which is probably why nothing more has been heard about the whole thing in months.

Aside from anti-trust issues, though, Harley would have benefited and improved in such a merger. Access to Honda's technology, funding, and operating under their more effecient business model would have rejuvenated the marque. And let's not get purple-faced about the prospect of "Honda-Davidson" merchandise. Honda would have kept themselves and HD as disassociated as possible in marketing, in order not to tarnish HD's aura. Much like Yamaha has spun off its cruiser line into the Star brand.

Permalink 09/23/07 @ 00:57

Comment from: Sandie[Member} [Visitor]

· http://bikerlawblog.com/index

I will be "purple faced"!! I do not want a Honda logo on my Harley Shirt!!! Just doesn't seem proper. It is just too hard to swallow to walk into a show room and see Honda's and Harley's side by side for sale. I think if they merge they should have different buildings for each,like Chevrolet has their dealerships and General Motors has their dealerships but they are one.

Permalink 09/25/07 @ 06:06

Comment from: Rafael E. Maduro [Visitor]

Well, lets face the truth Honda is a huge company all over the world they have the funds to buy HD. But I do think it will not be the good thing to happen. Honda and Harley is and has for long long years competitive against Harley. And I do think that it should stay that way. But if it will happen what can we do A Honda is a Honda and Harley will stay the American Icon. One thing I'm sure is that Honda will surely adress all Harley. They are relaible.

Best regards,

Rafael E. Maduro
VTXofAruba

Permalink 03/03/08 @ 16:46

Motorcyle and Biker Ride Reports and General Info