The Ultimate Harley Tool - Ford Motor Co. and Harley Davidson Inc. contract - Brief Article - Statistical Data Included

Automotive Industries,  Sept, 1999  by Norman Martin

• E-mail
• Print
• Link

For decades, motorcycle wags have joked that the tool kits supplied with new Harley-Davidsons lack one critical piece: a pickup truck, with which to haul the stricken bike home. Now that Harleys are reliable, however, the new truck isn't required -- unless you're the Hog owner who's got to have everything associated with the famed Milwaukee brand. Or. the Ford owner who also rides a Hog. There are many of both, according to Gurminder Bedi, boss of Ford's truck vehicle center, and that's why Ford created the Harley Edition F-150. It's a limited-production SuperCab loaded with Harley cues -- a rumpa-rumpa exhaust, black-and-orange paint, a black leather interior and 20-inch wheels (the first on any Ford production vehicle). Ford, which has a five-year alliance with Harley, officially will not commit to sales volume. But an inside source says to expect "up to 10,000 units" for 2000.

On the two-wheeled side of the venture, a sport bike "mule" said to be powered by Harley's first-ever liquid-cooled V-twin, was spotted testing earlier this year at Ford's Australian proving ground. H-D is expected to launch the new engine later this year.

COPYRIGHT 1999 Cahners Publishing Company
COPYRIGHT 2000 Gale Group