Buell no more?

[AndyH]

Is this for real?

http://www.buell.com/en_us/

[BaZa®]

True:

Buell Motor Company Folds :: 10-15-2009


There have been rumours for weeks that Buell would not re-open after the current shut-down. It appears that those rumours are true.

BUELL OFFICIALS THANK CUSTOMERS, DEALERS AND EMPLOYEES FOR UNFORGETTABLE RIDE


EAST TROY, Wis. (Oct. 15, 2009) - Buell Motorcycle Company officials thanked the company's customers, employees and dealers for an unforgettable ride, following today's announcement by Harley-Davidson, Inc. that it will discontinue the Buell® product line as part of Harley-Davidson's go-forward business strategy. The new long-term strategy aims to drive Company growth through a focus of efforts and resources on the Harley-Davidson® brand.

"I want to personally thank all our past and present Buell employees, dealers and suppliers for their efforts. I also want to thank Buell motorcycle owners for their support and passion for the brand," said Buell Motorcycle Company President Jon Flickinger.

Flickinger said a limited number of new Buell motorcycles remain available for sale through authorized dealerships and production will wind down by October 30. He also stressed that Harley-Davidson will provide replacement parts and service through dealerships and that warranty coverage will continue as normal for Buell motorcycles.

"I will always be proud of what we have accomplished. It is a testimony to what a small group of passionate and inspired people can do, and with brilliant innovations, we've produced some of the best-handling bikes of all time," said Buell Chairman and Chief Technical Officer Erik Buell. "I personally look forward to exploring how I can continue to work with Harley-Davidson to bring advanced product technology to riders.

"I have also had the great fortune to meet and get to know many Buell riders over the years, and they are an amazing and interesting group of free thinkers," Buell said. "May you ride with pride into the future. And may your roads ahead be as adventuresome and rewarding as mine have been for the last 26 years."

A wholly owned subsidiary of Harley-Davidson, Inc. since 1998, Buell Motorcycle Company was founded in 1983 by Erik Buell and produced more than 135,000 motorcycles. Over the past 26 years, Buell motorcycles won numerous design accolades and awards, and countless races and championships around the world, including the AMA Pro Daytona SportBike championship in 2009.
ENDS

[HogHog]

That's pretty sad

Always liked them but never had one.

[Mark-Bursledon]

Looks like MV is been sold off to sad news all round


Harley-Davidson reported this morning a 21 percent decrease in motorcycle sales in the third quarter of 2009. The company also said it plans to discontinue its Buell production line and divest MV Agusta, an Italian motorcycle maker Harley purchased recently.


The company also said in this morning's earnings report that talks have begun on a new contract with union workers the plants in York County. Harley said its "two path" study into whether to keep Harley in York County continues and that it still expects to make a decision by the end of the year.


Harley's sales fell by about 30 percent this spring. Shutdown weeks and job reductions have come this year as the Milwaukee-based company has sought to scale back production. Locally, four full weeks and two partial weeks of shutdown time were scheduled earlier this year. Three weeks have already happened.


York County hosts Harley's largest manufacturing facility, but the company said earlier this year it might move the operations elsewhere to make them more cost effective. The company maintains its preferred option is to stay, and union and company representatives reportedly told workers last week a restructuring plan is "viable." Contract negotiations are also part of the effort to keep the Springettsbury Township plants from moving.


Harley said this morning it plans to end Buell production and terminate about 180 total positions. Most of those workers will see their employment end by Dec. 18, the company said. MV Agusta will go up for sale, only a little more than a year after Harley purchased it.
Harley CEO Keith Wandell said in the release the company is seeking through the moves to have a "single-minded focus on the Harley-Davidson brand."

[English Steve]

That's very bad news. The Buells are a machine I have admired for some time, but never owned.

[Hilts]

Report on the US 'Harleytalking' forum today that H-D is selling off Buell & M.V. and will just focus on H-D.................

HD to sell MV-AGUSTA and close BUELL !!! - Harley Davidson Community

[Phil]

I was just going to post this. As Dealers we were just informed.

To be precise, they are going to sell MV Agusta, but Buell is just going bye bye.

I wiil be involved in a group web meeting with Harley later today. I'll let you all know.

[BaZa®]

Already on our front page 'News Desk' and our Buell section. Buell Motor Company Folds :: 10-15-2009

In fact we had it here before H-D Talking

HDRCGB Today, 2.48 pm

H-D Talking Today, 3:30 PM

[Heritagebob]

Shame, Good luck for the future Erik!

[Maggar]

Bloody hell, it'll be in the Quin at Christmas!