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- Xref: sparky misc.consumers:21564 soc.culture.japan:13188 sci.electronics:22062 soc.culture.african.american:13478 misc.education:5659 misc.entrepreneurs:3859 rec.motorcycles:43204 rec.motorcycles:43205
- Newsgroups: misc.consumers,soc.culture.japan,sci.electronics,soc.culture.african.american,misc.education,misc.entrepreneurs,rec.motorcycles,rec.motorcycles
- Path: sparky!uunet!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!pacific.mps.ohio-state.edu!linac!att!mcdchg!laidbak!tellab5!sdc!kenk
- From: kenk@sdc.com (Ken Konecki)
- Subject: Re: DOES AMERICA SAY YES TO JAPAN? - Off track!!
- Message-ID: <1993Jan5.224453.125@sdc.com>
- Sender: news@sdc.com (Netnews administrator)
- Nntp-Posting-Host: grumpy
- Organization: Systems Development Corporation
- References: <1993Jan01.103831.6531@deeptht.armory.com> <1993Jan4.201248.4828@island.COM> <thomasd.59.726252693@tps.COM>
- Date: Tue, 5 Jan 1993 22:44:53 GMT
- Lines: 31
-
- I knew this would eventually happen:
-
- In article <thomasd.59.726252693@tps.COM> thomasd@tps.COM (Thomas W. Day) writes:
- | In article <1993Jan4.201248.4828@island.COM> fester@island.COM (Mike Fester) writes:
- |
- | >Ever hear of Harley-Davidson? It's conveniently located (at least,
- | >corporate headquarters) right there in "the formerly strong midwest of this
- | >country".
- |
- | I really don't think using Harley as evidence that U.S. companies are
- | capable of competing is valid. Harley sells a marginal quality, specific
- | market motorcycle to people who have more money than sense. In no area is
- | Harley able to field a motorcycle that can compete with the Japanese
- | majors. Harley exists for its value as a keepsake, not as a motorcycle.
- | For instance, Harley makes a bike that is matched in performance and
- | function by all of the Japanese manufacturers, but Harley doesn't make a
- | sport touring bike, a dirt bike, or a multi-purpose bike. Harley isn't
- | even the lowest cost, highest quality producer in their small niche. In
- | effect, they are making the same bike they have been making for 50 years
- | with minor "improvements." They are in the same status vehicle group as
- | Rolls Royce.
- |
- | Because they have been successful in finding a small niche of
- | the motorcycle market to participate in and are the sole American
- | manufacturer in that market, they are a popular benchmark for American
- | manufacturing success. They are less of a success than is popularly
- | believed.
- --
- Ken Konecki
- e-mail:kenk@sdc.com -or- ...!uunet!tellab5!sdc!kenk
- "Getting an inch of snow is like winning 10 cents in the lottery"
-