Harrikalle kilpailija

[Blower1]

HARLEY DAVIDSON FACES STIFF COMPETITION FROM JOHNSON MARINE WHO INTRODUCES A NEW LINE OF MOTORCYCLES
__________________________________________________

At a press conference late Monday, the CEO of Johnson Marine, makers of Johnson outboard marine engines and other recreational equipment, unveiled a new line of heavyweight cruiser style motorcycles designed to compete head to head with industry leader Harley-Davidson. Peter Long, Johnson's Brands Marketing Manager said, "We have studied the market and determined that Harley, while highly successful, has narrowly missed the mark when targeting motorcycle buyers." Long added, "We at Johnson are convinced that our product hits the target dead center and promises to draw sales away from Harley-Davidson in a way no other motorcycle has been able to accomplish."

The new line of bikes, marketed under the name Big Johnson Motorcycles, will, according to Long, deliver what Harley has only promised. "Our research show that this, a Big Johnson, is what Harley buyers are really after."

At the unveiling of the new line Monday, several current Harley owners agree. "When I bought my Harley, what I really needed was a Big Johnson," said one Harley owner. "But I see now that riding a Harley is no replacement for having a Big Johnson."

Manager Long also said that his company would follow the lead of Harley-Davidson and cash in on a huge market for non-motorcycle related products. "We realize that not every guy can have a Big Johnson," said Long, "But image is very important to people. If they don't have a Big Johnson, they at least want to project the image of having one."

Asked if he anticipated Big Johnsons showing up in the hands of Harley owners, Long said it was unlikely. "I just don't see the need to have a Harley if you have a Big Johnson," he said. "And I can't imagine someone who spends all their resources to acquire a Harley having a Big Johnson. I think it boils down to this - You either have a Harley, or you have a Big Johnson, but you are not likely to have both."

"Given the choice," said Long, "I think most guys will opt for the Big Johnson."

Another force driving sales for the company will come from women. A survey of the wives and girlfriends of nearly 1,000 potential motorcycle buyers indicates less than 5% would approve of their partner spending $20,000 on a Harley Davidson. But, when asked if they would be willing to pay the same amount of money to get their partner a Big Johnson, nearly 4 out 5 thought that would be money well spent.

One female present at the product unveiling was quoted as saying, "There is no way I will let Lonnie drop 20 grand on another one of those Harleys, but 20 grand to get him a Big Johnson? Well, that's something we could both enjoy, and it's something he really needs."

Carla Roundheel, manager of the dealership network now being established, said her motto is simple. "I service what we sell."

Big Johnson Motorcycles will be traded on the New York stock exchange under the abbreviation PNSNV.
     

[Jussi]

Tuo juttu oli kai liikkeellä ekan kerran joskus 2000-luvun alussa. Hauska.

[ma^ko]

Mun mielest toi liikkui niit aikoi ku OMC meni nurin ekan kerran, Johnson Marinehan oli osa OMC:tä ja muistan ku joku spekuloi nerokkaasti että onkohan tuo prätkäprojekti tyhjentänyt kassan... EvillRuden Fict koneiden laatuonkelmien sijasta.

[Hemuli]

"But I see now that riding a Harley is no replacement for having a Big Johnson"



Olisko tuo Suomessa sitten "Iso Jorma"

[Smuige]

"But I see now that riding a Harley is no replacement for having a Big Johnson"



Olisko tuo Suomessa sitten "Iso Jorma"

Jaa, litran pullossa vai ilmeisesti...

Taikka Keski-Suomessa K-K-K  (von Birkenstock)   


Katsotaanhan miten tää yksi "veneenrakentaja" (tai "brändin" omistaja) pärjää ns. H-D kilpailijallaan.
On ilmeisesti jotain tzargoja kun on nostanut Chris Craftin ja Rivan jo suosta...

[Kokkonen]

 
Ducati on tämän päivän kapinallisen pyörä, Harley on out.
Nuorempi sukupolvi on löytänyt Ducatista sen mitä H-D ei enää pysty tarjoamaan.

Motorcyclistonline kirjoittaa jotenkin tuohon suuntaan, että: "Pitkään meluisan virallisen bad-boy kultuurin esikuvana ratsastanut Harley-Davidson näyttää olevan asettumassa vähemmän ärsyttävään imagoon, jonnekin Briggs & Strattonin ja Black and Deckerin tasolle, mutta antaa enemmän arvoa vyötärölle ja mukavalle satulalle.
Tuhlaamatta aikaa, Ducati on täyttämässä kulttuuri-ikonin tyhjiön omalla sekoituksellaan pyöriä, typyköitä ja "yhteenkuuluvaisuutta".

"Misanon World Ducati Week on sitten tämän kulttuurimuutoksen kulminaatiopiste. WDW ei ole mikään kuivakka Sturgis, se on enemmän omituinen ja kokonaan erilainen."

"Ja nahkaliivit on sitten myös out uuden sukupolven kulttuurissa."

Hmmm... ei olisi hassumpaa kehitystä.
Harrikka kun on kapinallisen imagonsa rahastanut loppuun tuolla saralla.

Koko juttu Motorcyclistonline 

[mikira]

Ducati julkaisi juuri custom pyöränsä muutama päivä sitten, edellinen ducatin custom oli indiana 80 luvun puolivälissä ja ei ollut suurikaan myyntimenestys.

Hyvin Italialainen tutkielma power customista tämä Diavel.


http://www.diavel.ducati.com/jsp/en/index/index.jsp

[Kokkonen]

Huhutaan Ducatin omistajien olevan aikeissa myydä tänä vuonna omistuksensa 1 miljardilla eurolla.
Mahdollisia ostajakanditaatteja spekuloidaan seuraavista:
- Intialainen Mahindra
- Volkswagen (eivät kommentoi)
- BMW (joka on lmoittanut, ettei juuri nyt ole kiinnostuneet)
- Harley-Davidson (eivät kommentoi)


Edit Kokkonen typo

[Kokkonen]

Ducati on edelleen kaupan, viimeisten tietojen mukaan vahvin ostajakanditaati olisi Intian suurin mp valmistaja Hero, siis sama puulaaki joka tekee yhteistyötä Eric Buell Racingin kanssa.

Iloisena Intiaan, Kiina kaatu kohta  

“It is an excellent fit -- Ducati is a big brand and has a lot of technology; Hero is looking to be a serious global player,” said Deepesh Rathore, managing director of IHS Automotive in India. “Hero might get it cheap. Thanks to the European slowdown, Ducati’s numbers haven’t been great.”

Hero, which in December 2010 decided to exit a 26-year partnership with Honda Motor Co. (7267), the world’s largest motorcycle maker, is looking to gain technology through partnerships and acquisitions after that licensing relationship ends in 2014. Last month, Hero entered into a partnership with Erik Buell Racing, where it would sponsor two EBR teams in the AMA Pro Racing National Guard Superbike Championship in return for technology and design support for future models.

Edit: Myynnin taustalla saattaa painaa myös seikka, että Italia lopetti valtiontuet moottoripyörille ja se on ajanut maan pyörätehtaat ahdinkoon. Tuet otettiin käyttöön 2009. Maan moottoripyörien myynti on puolittunut  viiden vuoden takaisista lukemista.

[Kokkonen]

Laitan tännekin pisteen näille spekulaatioille:
Audi osti 18.4.2012 Ducatin 860 miljoonalla Eurolla.

Audi.com sivuilta:

AUDI AG is acquiring from Investindustrial Group the tradition-steeped Italian sports motorcycle manufacturer Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A., which has its registered office in Bologna. The transaction will be completed as quickly as possible once authorized by the competition authorities. The Supervisory Boards of AUDI AG and Volkswagen AG approved the acquisition today in Hamburg. Ducati is known worldwide as a leading brand in motorcycle manufacture, with outstanding expertise in engine development and lightweight construction.

Alongside the traditional Italian brands Lamborghini and Italdesign, Ducati is now a third pillar for AUDI AG in Northern Italy. Another building block in the Company’s growth strategy thus falls into place. Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG, declared: “Ducati is known worldwide as a premium brand among motorcycle manufacturers and has a long tradition of building sporty motorcycles. It has great expertise in high-performance engines and lightweight construction, and is one of the world’s most profitable motorcycle manufacturers. That makes Ducati an excellent fit for Audi.” The progressive control systems and special combustion chamber process of Ducati engines, their resulting sporty character, and Ducati’s extensive know-how in lightweight construction thus offer great potential for AUDI AG and the Volkswagen Group.

[Hemuli]

Tän vanhan tarinan kun luin uudestaan (nauratti edelleen) niin noista porukan vastauksista tuli mieleen että kukaan ei vissiin tajunnut alkuperäisen jutun juonta? Vaikka vitsien selittäminen onkin persiistä niin sanottakoon että tarina on täysin kieli poskella kirjoitettu - sen syvin tarkoitus ehkä aukeaa muillekin kun kerrotaan että "Johnson" on yksi monista amerikkalaisen puhekielen ilmaisuista miehiselle sukupuolielimelle .