|
Quotes & Info
|
| HOG > SEC Filings for HOG > Form 8-K on 5-Mar-2009 | All Recent SEC Filings |
5-Mar-2009
Regulation FD Disclosure
During the first two months of 2009, worldwide retail sales of Harley-Davidson® motorcycles by our dealers decreased 13.0 percent compared to the same two-month period in 2008. U.S. retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles were down 9.4 percent compared to the same period in 2008. International retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles declined 21.5 percent compared to the same period last year. U.S. retail sales for the first two months of 2009 represented 72.8 percent of total worldwide retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles. At this time, the Company continues to expect that it will ship between 264,000 and 273,000 new Harley-Davidson motorcycles in 2009 and believes that it is on track to meet the 2009 guidance outlined in its 2008 fourth quarter and annual earnings release.
The Company generally does not provide retail sales information or updates to earnings guidance other than as included in its regularly scheduled quarterly earnings release and related public filings, and the Company does not anticipate that it will provide further interim retail sales information or unscheduled updates to earnings guidance in the future. However, because of the unprecedented economic conditions, the Company is providing this interim retail sales and guidance update as part of a regularly scheduled presentation to a group of its bankers and financial advisors on March 5. Therefore, the Company is disclosing this update to comply with Regulation FD.
The data source for retail sales figures shown above is sales warranty and registration information provided by Harley-Davidson dealers and compiled by the Company. The Company must rely on information that its dealers supply concerning retail sales, and this information is subject to revision.
Forward-Looking Statements
The Company intends that certain matters discussed in this release are "forward-looking statements" intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can generally be identified as such because the context of the statement will include words such as the Company "believes," "anticipates," "expects," "plans," or "estimates" or words of similar meaning. Similarly, statements that describe future plans, objectives, outlooks, targets, guidance or goals are also forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated as of the date of this release. Certain of such risks and uncertainties are described below. Shareholders, potential investors, and other readers are urged to consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements and cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this release are only made as of the date of this release, and the Company disclaims any obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
The Company's ability to meet the targets and expectations noted depends upon, among other factors, the Company's ability to (i) effectively execute its restructuring plans within expected costs, (ii) manage the risks that its independent dealers may have difficulty adjusting to the recession and slowdown in consumer demand, (iii) manage supply chain issues, (iv) anticipate the
In addition, the Company could experience delays or disruptions in its operations as a result of work stoppages, strikes, natural causes, terrorism or other factors. Other factors are described in risk factors that the Company has disclosed in documents previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Many of these risk factors are impacted by the current turbulent capital, credit and retail markets and our ability to adjust to the recession.
The Company's ability to sell its motorcycles and related products and services and to meet its financial expectations also depends on the ability of the Company's independent dealers to sell its motorcycles and related products and services to retail customers. The Company depends on the capability and financial capacity of its independent dealers and distributors to develop and implement effective retail sales plans to create demand for the motorcycles and related products and services they purchase from the Company. In addition, the Company's independent dealers and distributors may experience difficulties in operating their businesses and selling Harley-Davidson motorcycles and related products and services as a result of weather, economic conditions or other factors.
|
|