MIAMI, Oct. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of the growing opportunity to introduce the unique Harley-Davidson experience to more customers worldwide, Harley-Davidson announced today the opening of a new permanent Latin America headquarters in Miami, Florida, USA.
"As part of its business transformation, Harley-Davidson is taking one of the world's most iconic brands to the many roads of the world," said Mark Van Genderen, vice president and managing director, Harley-Davidson Latin America during the grand opening event. "This new regional headquarters is part of that transformation, and confirmation that Harley-Davidson is committed to fulfilling the dreams of customers in Latin America from Tierra del Fuego to the Rio Grande."
Harley-Davidson's strategic growth plans include opening new markets and expanding in existing ones. The Company expects that sales outside of the US will exceed 40% of the total by 2014 and growth in the markets that make up the Latin America region are a key part of achieving that goal.
"Our new location will help us better and more quickly respond to our Latin American customer's needs," added Van Genderen. "Harley-Davidson's increased focus on customers outside of the US is an exciting time for us, since many Latin American countries have well-established motorcycle cultures and thousands of avid enthusiasts."
Harley-Davidson has long had a presence in the region. In fact, archive records show our motorcycles winning races in Sao Paulo, Brazil as far back as 1918. More recently, the Company established complete knockdown (CKD) assembly operations in Manaus, Brazil in 1998, to better serve the needs of customers in the fast growing economy. Harley-Davidson motorcycles have also been sold in Mexico dating back more than 80 years.
The Latin America regional office, (which had been based out of the Company's global headquarters in Milwaukee, USA) supports subsidiary operations in Brazil and Mexico, as well as operations in many other countries through the region's Latin America Direct Markets group. All Harley-Davidson functions critical to development and support for the markets are represented in the new 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
SOURCE Harley-Davidson, Inc.
www.Harley-Davidson.com