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Victory versus Harley - Lean versus Fat

by Steve
Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Reuters published an interesting piece that compares Polaris, the maker of Victory motorcycles, with Harley-Davidson, on a financial health standpoint...

http://www.reuters.com/article/reutersEdge/idUSN1628214920080416

In short, it paints of picture of Polaris gaining ground on Harley, for two main reasons...

Polaris is actually doing well selling ATVs, snowmobiles, and "side-by-sides", those 4-6 seater off-road vehicles. Victory motorcycle sales are actually lagging.

Polaris doesn't have its own financial arm, unlike Harley.

It's Harley's financial unit, Harley-Davidson Credit Corp, that is the big monkey on HD's back. Polaris, on the other hand, refers customers to outside lenders. Should Harley ever pull out of this financial mess, I wonder if it makes sense for them to sell off the Credit Corp.

Or maybe Harley ought to get into the off-road market.

Labels: Harley Davidson, Polaris Industries