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Article: Harley-Davidson to focus on core bikes: ; Company cited big dip in third-quarter profits
- Article from:
- Charleston Daily Mail
- Article date:
- October 16, 2009
- Author:
CopyrightCopyright 2009 Charleston Daily Mail. Provided by ProQuest LLC. (Hide copyright information)
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DETROIT - With motorcycle sales still sluggish, Harley-Davidson
Inc. said Thursday it is leaving the sport-bike market in a back-to-
basics strategy that focuses on its core lineup of heavyweight
bikes.
The company, which reported an 84-percent slide in third-quarter
profits, said it will discontinue its Buell motorcycle line and sell
its MV Agusta brand in order to focus on its namesake motorcycles.
The decision to sell MV Agusta marks an about-face for Harley,
which bought the Varese, Italy-based company last year for $109
million. At the time, Harley touted the purchase as an expansion
into the premium sport-bike segment. Now, the company will focus on
its roots: big, noisy, heavyweight ...