Harley Davidson reported their 1st quarter results and they’re not out of the woods yet. Another 300 to 400 production jobs will be eliminated as they continue to adjust production to stay in line with shipments. The Company still plans to ship between 264,000 and 273,000 Harley-Davidson motorcycles to dealers worldwide in 2009, less than last year but in line with earlier announcements.
Every motorcycle manufacturer is working through a challenging business environment right now and Harley is no exception. With a combination of cost controls, smart marketing and a little bit of economic improvement, things should improve for everyone.
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Reports surfaced earlier on Thursday that General Motors was considering axing its GMC and Pontiac brands, but a top GM exec says that is not the case. GM has already announced that it will be selling or winding down three of its brands by 2012 – Hummer, Saab and Saturn – but says it will focus on its four core brands, Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC, moving forward.
Mark LaNeve, GM’s head of sales and marketing, called the earlier reports of the demise of GMC and Pontiac “unfounded, unsubstantiated and untrue.†LaNeve says  … Details
The iShares Cup 2009 fleet will feature 40 of the World’s best sailors, who between them have over 50 World Championship titles, 27 America’s Cup participations, 17 Round the World navigations and 14 Olympic campaigns. From inshore to offshore, from technical dinghy specialists to giant multihull gladiators, these sailors are riding high at the peak of their professional sailing careers.
Forty sailors across 10 teams are now officially confirmed for the 2009 series and it is anticipated that the competition will be intense in what has become sailing’s hottest property…Â DetailsÂ
The 8th annual Clean Water Classic surfing contest will be held Friday, May 15th through Sunday, May 17th 2009 at Westport, Washington. This event is a benefit for the Pacific Northwest chapters of the Surfrider Foundation and, in the past, the event has been awarded the Surfrider Foundation Chapter Event of the Year. Surfrider Foundation is a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to the protection and enjoyment of the world’s oceans, waves and beaches for all people through conservation, activism, research and education…Â Details
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