Hog Wild! Harley Beats Honda In U.S. Sales - motorcycle sales - Brief Article

Automotive Industries, Feb, 2000 by Lindsay Brooke

For the first time in history, annual U.S. sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles surpassed those of arch-rival Honda Motor Co. In 1999 Harley's retail sales were 131,259 units, up sharply from 109,247 bikes sold in '98. Honda sold 126,500 machines in '99, an increase of 9,336 units over the previous year.

Harley was the overall market share leader with 26.55 percent, according to industry analyst Don J. Brown of D.J. Brown and Assoc. in Irvine, Calif. Honda's '99 share was 26.5 percent. Brown says Harley's achievement is impressive because it sells only heavyweight street models, starting at 883cc. Honda's much wider range begins with 50cc lightweights and includes dirt bikes. Its '99 total does not include scooters.

"Harley's done a good job, riding the retro craze of mid-life crisis baby-boomers," laughs American Honda Vice President Tom Elliott. "I was surprised to see them take the lead. But our guys have planned a serious assault to retake the lead."

Last year was another banner year for the U.S. motorcycle market, which continues to enjoy growth across the board. Total industry sales of two-wheelers were 494,000, compared with 404,338 units in 1998.