Corporate suicide watch: Harley-Davidson plans to go all-electric

American Thinker ^ | 22 Jan, 2023 | Thomas Lifson

[MtnClimber]

I can’t think of a worse example of a corporate CEO misreading his customer base than this via the Robb Report (Hat tip: Ed Driscoll, Instapundit)

“At some point in time, Harley Davidson will be all-electric,” the executive [Harley-Davidson CEO Jochen Zeitz] recently told Dezeen. “But that’s a long-term transition that needs to happen. It’s not something you do overnight.”

Zeitz’s pronouncement seems guaranteed to make a not-insignificant portion of the manufacturer’s customer base cringe. For many enthusiasts, the thing that really sets a Harley apart from other motorcycles—American-made or otherwise—is a thunderously loud internal combustion engine. But the company knows that no matter how important those large-displacement mills might be change is on the horizon.

Maybe by “long term” he means several generations from now. If not, this is a surefire recipe for disaster.

With a battery much bigger than the electric motor, the look won't be nearly as appealing

Perhaps it is just an attempt to pre-empt critics, possibly including the CEO’s college indoctrinated children, claiming that Harley emissions are making “the oceans boil” as Al Gore recently claimed at Davos, after deplaning from his Gulfstream private jet, the Flying Squirrel.

But after all, what does Harley-Davidson really have to offer aside from a bad boy image connected to loud exhaust pipes...

[adorno]

Most people have no need and no desire to put their lives at risk to save a few hours.

I've never made that trip alone, and I've had at least one other driver along. And, you fail to understand. Driving time is what takes 20-21 hours, while the entire trip may be longer with pit stops, some of which may include an overnight stay at a motel. or hotel. The trip is mostly boring, but, it's enjoyable at times. However, I'm getting too old to do that kind of trip anymore. But still, refueling is a lot less troublesome in an ICE vehicle than with a BOW.

[Dead Corpse]

There’s a difference between a stupid comment and a factually accurate statement you don’t like because it makes you look like an ass...

I’m not expecting you to be smart enough to know the difference.

https://search.brave.com/search?q=EV%27s+suck+in+cold+weather&source=desktop

[Captain Peter Blood]

Sales of Harley’s have been slowly going down as Baby Boomers don’t buy any longer and are selling what they have into an increasing flooded market.

So if the switch to Electric comes that may be the final nail for Harley and then it is bought or goes belly up.

[TexasGator]

“Would you like further explanation?”

No. I just found it interesting that you would post that you refill your gas tank when you go to a gas station.

[Dead Corpse]

Or... they could do what other manufacturers do, improve the product and innovate...

There’s a reason I bought a Triumph and not a Harley...

[TexasGator]

You sure get ornery when your posts are outed!

[TexasGator]

“There’s a difference between a stupid comment and a factually accurate statement you don’t like because it makes you look like an ass...”

Your first post to me was both stupid and factually inaccurate.

[Dead Corpse]

My first post to you in this thread:

Unless you have the heat on in a MN winter... in which case it’ll take a week to charge and you’ll make it across town and back...

Factually accurate.

Took a week to charge.

Also... You aren't supposed to charge them every night. It reduces battery efficiency and wears the cells out... Just like a laptop battery...

IOW, the only one being factually inaccurate here is YOU.

[TexasGator]

“Took a week to charge.”

False. He merely read off the display when he plugged it in. He didn’t charge it for five days with the 120 v outlet..

If fact, he said he uses a higher capacity level 2 220 v charger.

[TexasGator]

“Also... You aren’t supposed to charge them every night. It reduces battery efficiency and wears the cells out... Just like a laptop battery...”

False. OW, the only one being factually inaccurate here is YOU.

---

Electric car manufacturers recommend charging your electric car every night. They have charging control algorithms to ensure the battery health is maintained with frequent, convenient, and nightly charging. Tesla, BMW, and Nissan, for example, recommend charging overnight to start the day.

https://pluginreport.com/should-i-charge-my-electric-car-every-night/

[adorno]

No. I just found it interesting that you would post that you refill your gas tank when you go to a gas station.

Well, I don't go there to empty it. That would make no sense. ;)

[adorno]

You sure get ornery when your posts are outed!

I don't speak or understand English. What's 'ornery'? ;)

Rhymes withe 'eery'. Is that what you meant? ;)

No hablo Ingles. ;)

No comprendo.

[TexasGator]

You must be a Yankee transplant to Florida!

or·ner·y
[ˈôrn(ə)rē]
ADJECTIVE
NORTH AMERICAN
INFORMAL
bad-tempered and combative:
“some hogs are just mean and ornery”

[adorno]

You must be a Yankee transplant to Florida!

You can't be serious. Or are you?

I was born, not in NY,but I did live in NYC (Mahattan, Queens, Bronx).

My languages are more than one. Bet you couldn't tell. ;)

Mientras tanto (meanwhile), trata de adivinar (try to guess) my other language. (Should be simple).

But, it's still a BOW. ;)

[Dead Corpse]

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/what-to-know-about-charging-your-electric-car-every-night-11625253027

[Dead Corpse]

Also, fast charging is harder on the batteries... Thank you for bringing that up as well.