History of Harley Davidson

in #harley-davidson2 years ago

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Harley-Davidson is an American motorcycle manufacturer founded in 1903 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The company was started by William S. Harley and brothers Arthur, Walter, and William A. Davidson.

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In the early days, the company produced small engines that could be attached to bicycles, and the first official Harley-Davidson motorcycle was built in 1903. By the 1920s, Harley-Davidson had become one of the largest motorcycle manufacturers in the world. The company's motorcycles were popular with military riders during World War II, and in the post-war years, Harley-Davidson became a symbol of freedom and rebellion, thanks in part to the iconic image of Marlon Brando riding a Harley in the 1953 film "The Wild One."

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In the 1960s and 1970s, however, the company faced competition from foreign motorcycle manufacturers and struggled financially. In an effort to improve its products and market share, Harley-Davidson began producing larger, more powerful motorcycles and entered into partnerships with other companies.

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In the 1980s, a group of investors led by Willie G. Davidson, the grandson of one of the original founders, purchased the company and implemented a turnaround strategy. This strategy included renewed investment in product development, and the introduction of new models and redesigns of existing ones, such as the Softail, which combined the classic look of a hardtail motorcycle with the comfort of a modern suspension.

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In recent years, Harley-Davidson has continued to evolve, with a focus on developing new technologies and expanding its global reach. Electric motorcycles have been added to the lineup, and the company is also engaged in a multi-year strategy to build the next generation of Harley-Davidson riders, targeting women and urban youth. Today, Harley-Davidson is one of the most recognized brands in the world and continues to be an iconic symbol of American culture.

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However, in recent year, the company also facing challenges due to the changing preference of the customer towards the electric vehicles and decrease in the sales, but they are trying to overcome the challenges by introducing new models and focusing on the market which still has potentials.

(Note: All the images were taken from "Pexels" its a stock free image website)

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Thanks for the history to HD. Good to know how it reach to what it is today. Good Bikes.