Introduction:
The Harley-Davidson Inc is a manufacturing company with its operating headquarters based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the United States. It is a recreational facilities manufacturer but it specializes in motor cycles especially for highway cruising or leisure. It is one of the two remaining mass producers of motor cycles in the United States, the other being victory. It produces a variety of motor cycles depending on horse power and the use intended for the cycles. Some of the earlier versions created have been phased out although they are available at the company headquarters gallery.The company has many production plants within the United States as well as around the globe.
History:
The company’s history dates back to 1901 when 21 year old William S. Harley introduced a plan for the manufacture of a small engine that could displace 7.07 cubic inches (116 cc) with four-inch flywheels that could operate on the pedal-bicycle frame. By 1903 the cycle was completed with the help of the Davidson brothers although the cycle did not meet the best standards to undo competition.
The two friends never lost hope and soon after Work begun on a new and improved machine. This first “real” Harley-Davidson motorcycle had a bigger engine of 24.74 cubic inches (405 cc) with 9-3/4 inch flywheels weighing 28 pounds. The machine also had an advanced loop-frame. It was similar to the 1903 Milwaukee Merkel motorcycle. The friends also got help with their new engine from motor engineer Ole Evinrude. Elder brother of Arthur Davidson also lent a hand. By September 1904 the cycle was operational. 1n 1906 the Harley-Davidson built their first production plant where today the company headquarters are located.
Company analysis: products
The Harley-Davidson company products are mainly motorcycles. Since the company prefers to reserve its image as American made, it does outsourcing but the final product is assembled in the United States. The products are usually durable consumer goods, although they produce both normal and luxury goods. Normal goods produced include some series that are specifically made for general policing and military expeditions while luxury goods are special bikes made for fun purposes like track racing.
Since inception the company has produced many types of motor cycles but its most protected rights are those of engine types which depend on size and power of the cycle. These have included the light engines, one cylinder engines, two cylinder engines, big twin engines, sport engines and water cooled engines. The classic Harley-Davidson engines are two-cylinder, V-twin engines with the pistons mounted in a 45° “V”. The crankshaft has a single pin, and both pistons are connected to this pin through their connecting rods.
The Revolution, Jointly designed and developed with Porsche in Germany and based on the VR1000 Harley-Davidson Super Bike engine, 2002-present, 69 cubic inches (1,131 cc), 60 degree V-twin, liquid cooled is the most current of the above series.
Current models:
The current models within the company line or the Modern Harley-branded motorcycles fall into one of five model families: Touring, Softail, Dyna, Sportster and VRSC. Model families are distinguished by the frame, engine, suspension, and other characteristics.
The Sportster: these are predominantly racing motor cycles. They were conceived in 1957 and they are the longest running model family in the company’s lineup.
Dyna: these models utilize the big-twin engine (F), small-diameter telescopic forks similar to those used on the Sportster (X), and the Dyna chassis (D). Therefore, all Dyna models have designations that begin with FXD, e.g. FXDWG (Wide Glide) and FXDL (Low Rider).
Touring: touring models use Big-Twin engines and large-diameter telescopic forks. The touring family, also known as “dressers”, includes three Road King models, and five Glide models offered in various trim. The Road Kings have a “retro cruiser” appearance and most models are equipped with a large clear windshield.
Elasticity of goods and market share:
Harley-Davidson’s products are relatively price elastic. This is due to the fact that there exist a relatively competitive market with close substitutes from companies like Honda and Suzuki. Harley-Davidson has an overall market share of around 22 %( 2002 estimates) but the American market share is as follows:
Harley-Davidson 34.8%
Honda 23.7%
Suzuki 14.6%
Kawasaki 13.6%
Yamaha 10.0%
BMW 2.3%
Ducati .9%
Moto Guzzi .1%
The pie chart below represents this information.
Historically neither Harley nor its Japanese competitors disclose horsepower of their engines or sales figures, however, an industry consultant says the American cruiser market grew nine percent in 1995 and sixteen percent in 1996 to just over 119,000. A new plant was developed in 1998, in Kansas City, Missouri raising capacity to 210,000 motorcycles produced a year by the year 2003.
Marketing strategies:
To improve on market share every company uses its own strategy. But in any industry there are four core elements of marketing strategy. These four elements are strategies that involve the product, pricing, promotion, and distribution. In all these areas the Harley-Davidson has formulated the best mix that suits their company.
This has included large investments in their dealers, moderate pricing, the use of female images to advertise in order to lure in many more female riders since only 7%of riders are females.
Labor issues:
Just like in any other industry or market the treatment of workers and worker rights are very crucial. Although the Harley-Davidsons’ have had a good workers profile they have had intermittent negative profiles with their unionisable workers and their unions. The most significant dispute was in early this year where a workers strike led to a two-week disruption of national production.
On February 2, 2007, upon the expiration of their union contract, about 2,700 employees at Harley-Davidson Inc.’s largest manufacturing plant in York, PA went on strike after failing to agree on wages and health benefits.During the period of the strike, the company refused to pay for any portion of the striking employees’ health care.
“Like many other unionized manufacturers, Harley-Davidson’s prior labor-management relations can be characterized as usually cordial, but generally adversarial. We made several attempts in the late 1970s and throughout the ’80s to turn this around. But the normal stress of business, coupled with wariness on both sides, always seemed to conspire to upset our initiatives. In the mid-1990s, however, the senior management of Harley-Davidson and the presidents of the two internationals, the IAM and PACE, go together for discussions on how to make a sea change in our relations. The outcome of these important discussions was a formal partnering agreement between Harley-Davidson management and our union leaders, which outlined a way of working together that is mutually beneficial. Partnering has fundamentally changed the way we do business. It’s made Harley-Davidson a better place to work and, in the process, it’s made our business more successful than ever”. These were Remarks by Jeffrey Bleustein, Chairman and CEO Harley-Davidson Inc, delivered to the Summit on the 21st Century Workforce, June 20, 2001 MCI Center, Washington, DC.
Conclusion:
The Harley –Davidson is a publicly traded at the New York stock exchange. As such the company has defied great odds like surviving the great depression of 1929-1935 as well as stiff competition from Japanese competition. This has however prompted the company to outsource the production of smaller parts to countries like china in order to reduce operational costs.
However since the Harley-Davidson prefers to be labeled the American icon it has
reserved the final assembly to be done on American soil.
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There are many various options of direct vehicle insurance bills to choose from, depending on what vehicle owner have to insure and what he can afford. Where should you start?
Physical Damage Requirements of American Mobile Insurance Department for Vehicle Owners
First of all everybody should ask himself if he have enough care in case of a road accident occurring. In most states the general motor insurance deals include property damage liability and bodily injury protection insurance for vehicle driver. There are exclusions binded with mobile liability insurance coverage and it is always recommended by the motor insurance dealers that you cover yourself to the fullest by buying the biggest amounts that you able to carry. Liability option protect others that you cause destroy. It do not normally cover driver, passions or motor vehicle in any way. Property damage liability covers you if your vehicle destroy somebody else vehicle. Usually it is their mobile, but it may be a guardrail, a home or another property damaged in automotive accident. It is a good idea to purchase enough of this motor insurance to cover the volume of damage your vehicle might do to another owner.
Personal Damage Liability Bill in Commercial Motor Insurance Deals
Bodily injury liability option is mandatory in many states but some no-fault state like Michigan or North Dakota do not require it. Whether it is required by state or not it is advised to buy this coverage and again with the highest limits you can donate. Bodily injury liability covers other driver bodily injuries or death for which you are at-fault. Doing motor insurance claims for bodily injury may be for such things as medical policies, loss of job or pain and suffering. In the case of a serious crush, you wish a lot of insurance to cover a pretension against you in a lawsuit. So it is a well idea (and usually an agency demand) to get the equal amount of coverage for all of your mobiles.
As we said there are exceptions to all state demanding bodily injury liability option. For instance in Minnesota or in New Jersey owners do not must maintain this coverage by department laws, unless they involved into a road accident with injuries. Then if they did have it, bodily injury liability would bring coverage if he was at fault in an auto accident and the motorist in the other vehicle suffered injuries is over the personal injury protection. Bodily injury liability covers injuries to driver only and if you have to obtain online mobile insurance costs for more protection, you need to go to ins company in your region. If he did not have this protection the other party has the opportunity to sue and the department may put a material responsibility on his driving ticket, which he would must carry for three years. That financial responsibility is named an SR22, or high risk vehicle insurance conviction for convicted motorists. So even in a state such as New York where this option is not required it is much better to have it in case of making an accident with victims than to not and leave you and your assets at risk plus being required to have a high risk assurance.
Personal Injury Options for Uninsured and Underinsured Drivers
Uninsured motorist bodily injury (UMBI) is the other coverage you may have to understand. Uninsured person policy protect you if another party was at-fault and you were injured and they were not insured. UMBI protect you and your passengers for bodily injuries, damages, or mortgage caused by an at-fault uninsured driver. If you are involved in mobile accident where the other driver is at fault but has no coverage, your national motor insurance policy will cover your medical expenses up to the value on your contract with insurer.
There is also underinsured motorist bodily injury (UNDUM) which will help you and your friends for injuries, vehicle damages or mortgage caused by the negligence of a driver with insufficient insurance. If you ilvodlved into a road accident with a individual whose coverage cannot meet your damages, your mobile insurance coverage will meet the difference up to the max limit of listed liability.
In some states like California UMBI and sometimes UNDUM as well, are mandatory as part of the commercial motor insurance quotes while in just a few another states this care is not compulsory however the local motor insurance provider may propose you the coverages and you must decline in writing if you do not wish them as option of your ins policy.
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Basic auto liability insurance policies consist of two types of benefits or coverage. They are coverage for bodily injury and property damage. Bodily injury liability insurance provides protection from various claims and court cases that are filed against insured persons, in case the insured person is the cause of injury or death of another person. This type of basic auto insurance coverage pays costs for the affected person or his relatives for the pain, suffering, and other hardships, and also for economic damages. This auto liability insurance coverage is optional, as it can be selected if a person needs it.
In property damage auto liability insurance coverage, insured persons are protected from claims and court cases for the damage of property of another person as a result of accident. Property generally refers to the vehicle of another person. However, damage to lamp posts, fences, telephone poles, and buildings is also considered in property liability.
Basic low cost auto liability insurance policies are affordable and simple. Once a policy is selected, a “Limitation on Lawsuit” option is obtained along with the policies. There are certain limitations on the lawsuit option. Legal action can be taken only if death occurs or the person is seriously injured with any one of the conditions such as displaced fracture, dismemberment, major disfigurement or scarring, loss of fetus, and also for other permanent injuries in which body parts cannot function normally.
General online low cost car liability quotes are risky and provide very less or sometimes even no protection for bodily injury. Two-wheel motorized vehicles and commercial autos are commonly insured using these basic auto liability insurance quotes. Local auto insurance companies provides detailed information on types of auto liability insurance coverages, car auto insurance company ratings and more.
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VH International Business Solutions Inc (www.ManhattanVirtualOffice.com), proud of its success thanks Employees, Clients, Associates and Friends for their support on its 19th anniversary milestone.VH International Business Solutions Inc, New Yorkâs preferred executive office and voice mail provider, is celebrating its nineteenth anniversary in 2009. With over 17 thousand clients since its launch nineteen years ago, VH International Business Solutions, Inc has become New York Cityâs destination for business professionals seeking a unique executive office organization.”What started out 19 years ago as a basic virtual office support service has steadily grown into a business far exceeding anyone’s expectations,” said James Spence, VH International Business Solutionâs vice president of operations. “We are all very proud of this accomplishment and grateful to our clients and employees who helped get us here.”VH International Business Solutions, Inc initially offered its services to the local market. With the proliferation of consumer Internet access, the Company was the first in New York City to offer NYC virtual office services interactively via the World Wide Web. With this success, VH International Business Solutions established an instant business-to-business worldwide access to the New York market making available for the first time New York City virtual office services for organizations of all sizes, from the independent entrepreneur to enterprise-level Fortune 500 companies.”Today VH International Business Solutions offers a comprehensive suite of executive office and business support services that can be tailor-made and bring about a meaningful difference for any company of any size in the world,” said Mr. Spence. “We pride ourselves on service that is reliable, efficient and competitively priced â all backed by our celebrated no-nonsense world class customer service. Our mission is to ensure our clients get the service they deserve and are entitled to.”Added Mr. Spence, “During our 19-year life span, our focus on customer service has never wavered. We understand our clientâs specific needs, there is no such thing as one solution for all. Because we offer client support staffed by seasoned professionals, whether you are an independent professional or a business, we have been able to deliver timely solutions again and again with a very satisfied customer rating.”Continued Mr. Spence, “By being in touch with our client base, we have also been able to anticipate their needs and grow with their business. That’s one of the major reasons why we have been so successful. We very much look forward to the next 19 years.”For additional information on VH International Business Solutions, visit www.ManhattanVirtualOffice.comABOUT VH International Business Solutions, IncConceived in 1987 and Incorporated in 1990, VH International Business Solutions is today an international provider of New York executive and staffed virtual office services. In the contiguous United States, we offer voice mail points of presence in ninety percent of the Country. Our suite of executive and office support services are not only comprehensive but can also be custom fit for any enterprise-level need. Our services include, but are not limited to New York based virtual and staffed office services, business meeting facilities, nationwide voice mail services, live answering services, New York State incorporation filing services and much more. In addition, VH International Business Solutions is focused on providing its clients with superior support service, which is backed by a seasoned group of professionals who understands the needs and issues of today’s business and employees. At VH International Business Solutions, you to get the attention you deserve. For more information, please visit www.ManhattanVirtualOffice.com
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However, since car insurance policies can be very complicated, you may not even be covered by your policy if something happens to your car. If your car’s wheels get destroyed and the wheels are not covered by your cheap auto insurance policy, then the car insurance company will have nothing to do with your repair or replacement expenses. This can be a waste, especially since you pay a hefty monthly fee to the insurance company to keep your insurance policy going.
To minimize the chances of you getting a bad deal for your money the next time you run into an automobil accident, be sure that you get the best car insurance rates and ins policy that you can possibly get. The best insurance may not mean the most expensive or most loaded policies, because not everybody can afford to pay such hefty fees. What you do need on the other hand is the best automobile insurance company and quote that your own money can buy and pay for every month.
More than getting the most affordable deal, you should also sign up with an auto insurance company or agent that is ready to help you whenever you find yourself in a tight spot. In this case, cheap doesn’t always mean good because just because insurance is offered to you at an extremely low price means that the company is sure to help and pay what is due their client when the time comes.
When people get into accidents, their insurance agents (if they’re that sort) make it very hard on them and try to wiggle out of paying by arguing that they are not covered by the car insurance policy or that the insurance company should only pay part of the expenses. Ask around with family, friends and people you trust on who they believe the best and most trustworthy companies are before signing.
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