American motorbike producer Harley-Davidson stated on Wednesday it’s teaming up with China’s Qianjiang Motorcycle to make a new smaller motorbike than its trademark ‘big hogs’.
The determination is a part of Harley’s plan to chop prices and supply half of its gross sales outdoors the United States by 2027. The firm views China as a significant progress market, with gross sales in the nation rising 27 p.c final 12 months in comparison with the earlier 12 months.
The new bike will have an engine displacement of 338 cubic centimeters, which is among the smallest in the corporate’s 116-year historical past. It is deliberate to be offered in China from the top of 2020.
The firm’s current vary of motorcycles is mostly far bigger and comes with engine capacities of greater than 601 cubic centimeters.
Harley didn’t reveal a worth vary for the brand new bike, whereas Qianjiang stated it might be “affordable.” According to Harley, it will be launched elsewhere in Asia after the preliminary launch in China.
The determination is a part of a longer-term technique for coping with decrease gross sales in the US and better prices due to commerce tariffs. Its announcement to maneuver extra manufacturing outdoors the United States has angered President Donald Trump. He referred to as for a boycott after Harley shifted manufacturing to Thailand.
Trump, nevertheless, made a U-turn to assist the producer, after the EU slapped tariffs on Harley-Davidson in retaliation for his tariffs on metal and aluminum imports.
