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Local NewsHouse Of Harley Seeing Sales IncreaseBy Katie DeLong
GREENFIELD - Harley-Davidson Inc. said Thursday its third-quarter profit fell sharply, as the slowing economy took its toll on sales of its iconic motorcycles.
So how does this affect local Harley dealerships?
It’s a different story at the House of Harley in Greenfield. Bikes at this Harley dealership are leaving as quickly as they’re coming.
This dealership sold twice as many Harley’s this year than they did around the same time last year.
House of Harley is hardly affected by our nation’s sluggish economy.
Instead, sales are up.
“The good thing is Harley continues to fund Harley-Davidson credit. As long as they do that, there’s money to loan,” House of Harley Owner John Schaller said.
Thursday, news broke that Harley-Davidson’s third quarter profits were down 37 percent from last year. Still, Schaller has no complaints.
“Thirty-seven percent is a big percentage, but again they made $166 million last quarter, not too shabby,” Schaller said.
If anything, Schaller wants the motorcycle maker to invest more money and increase production.
“We can’t get enough big touring bikes. We’ve searched Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin and we cant find dealers to sell us the bikes because nobody has enough,” Schaller said.
Life is good now, however, the future remains a question
“With the market going up and down every day, who knows three to six months from now,” Schaller said.
Until then, House of Harley will continue on its upswing
“Life is good. Screw it. Let’s ride….the slogan of Harley-Davidson,” Schaller said.
Another reason this dealership is doing well is because Harley’s 105th birthday celebration six weeks ago brought in a lot of sales.
Other dealerships have lost sales, mostly because many customers are struggling with high gas prices and the slump in the housing market.
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