Harley-Davidson Opens New Asia Pacific Headquarters in Singapore

Harley-Davidson has opened a new regional headquarters for the Asian market in Singapore.

The new facility will house Harley-Davidson‘s sales, marketing and dealer development operations for its Asia Pacific region. The region office was previously located at Harley-Davidson’s global base in Milwaukee. According to ChannelNewsAsia.com, Harley-Davidson hired 20 employees for the Asia Pacific office with 19 of them locals.

“This office is brick and mortar proof of Harley-Davidson’s commitment to the Asia Pacific region and to introducing the brand’s ideals of individuality and self-expression to more customers here,” said Matt Levatich, President and Chief Operating Officer, Harley Davidson Motor Company during the grand opening ceremony. “We are excited to be opening this new office because now we are in a better position to support the growing number of customers across this region who are eager to take part in the unique Harley-Davidson experience.”

Harley-Davidson sold 20,987 units in the Asia Pacific region in 2010, accounting for 9.4% of the company’s worldwide sales.

[Source: Harley-Davidson, ChannelNewsAsia.com]

SINGAPORE, May 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Harley-Davidson Motor Company announced today the official opening of its Asia Pacific headquarters during an event held at the Company’s new regional office in Singapore. The region office had been based at the Company’s global headquarters in Milwaukee.

“This office is brick and mortar proof of Harley-Davidson’s commitment to the Asia Pacific region and to introducing the brand’s ideals of individuality and self-expression to more customers here,” said Matt Levatich, President and Chief Operating Officer, Harley Davidson Motor Company during the grand opening ceremony. “We are excited to be opening this new office because now we are in a better position to support the growing number of customers across this region who are eager to take part in the unique Harley-Davidson experience.”

Harley-Davidson’s strategic growth plans include opening new markets and expanding in existing ones. The Company expects that retail (unit) sales of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles outside of the U.S. will exceed 40% of the total by 2014. In 2010, international retail sales were 35.5 percent of the Company’s total unit volume, with the Asia Pacific region accounting for 9.4% of Harley-Davidson’s retail volume.

Harley-Davidson is not new to the Asia Pacific region. Its globe trotting founders realized the importance of international markets to the Company’s success soon after the company was founded in 1903. Harley-Davidson archives note sales to Japan as early as 1912, and Australia is home to the oldest continuously operating Harley-Davidson dealership outside of the US, established in 1918.

“We have a rich history in the region and this hub will help continue the storyline by bringing us closer to our customers and better able to make their dreams a reality,” said Dave Foley, Vice President and Managing Director, Harley-Davidson Asia Pacific.

All Harley-Davidson functions critical to development and support for the markets are represented in the Company’s new Asia Pacific headquarters including sales, marketing, dealer development, and others.

Harley-Davidson Motor Company, a subsidiary of Harley-Davidson Inc. (NYSE: HOG), produces heavyweight Custom, Cruiser, and Touring motorcycles and offers a complete line of Harley-Davidson motorcycles parts, accessories, riding gear and apparel, and general merchandise. For more information, please visit Harley-Davidson’s website at www.harley-davidson.com.

By Dennis Chung