SpiderMan
01-20-2003, 04:38 PM
Found this tidbit on the NetNews ....
SpiderMan
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API NetNews (Business and Market)
HARLEY TO ABANDON MAKING MOTORCYCLES
In response to ever-increasing sales volume of clothing, accessories, and other Harley paraphernalia, and coupled with tight financial times that put a further squeeze on overpriced, under-performing machinery, Harley-Davidson has partnered with Proptronics to produce a specialty motorcycle called "Stylin' Iron".
Proptronics is the company famous for making fake appliances that are used in model homes for purposes of show only. In a brilliant management decision, Harley-Davidson is acknowledging that the only reason most people buy their equipment is indeed as a fashion accessory. By building a prop motorcycle, costs can be dramatically cut.
The new Stylin' Iron will have the look and feel of a real Harley motorcycle, and even comes equipped with a recorded “potato-potato” sound synthesiser, smoky air pump to simulate exhaust, and an adjustable-rate oil leak. The bike is priced under $1200 and is available immediately.
Corporate-wide sales are expected to soar, as the new model will allow Harley owners to spend more money on leather, hats, sunglasses, black/orange underwear, watercolor tattoos, fake ponytails, and jewelry, due to no longer having to keep the machinery in actual running and riding condition. This expected surge in accessory sales has prompted the Milwaukee company to begin talks with the American clothing designer "Dickies" to supply genuine Harley-Davidson clothing, and retailer Wal-Mart to feature the new Stylin' Irons in their sporting goods department.
A spokesman for Harley-Davidson commented "We expect Stylin' Iron to be a huge success. The phase-out of current machinery will relieve the company of having to deal with complaints from the few Harley riders who actually understand motorcycling, and allow us to focus entirely on the majority of fashion-conscious customers who will continue to buy our products."
"Parked in front of your garage, or towed on a trailer (surveys indicate that 90% of Harley-Davidsons travel to “events” on trailers), Stylin’ Iron is indistinguishable from the current line of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, at least in a fashion sense”.
Company engineers who have tested the new machine claim “it actually performs just as well on the road also, given a suitable downhill grade and tailwind."
SpiderMan
************************************************** ***
API NetNews (Business and Market)
HARLEY TO ABANDON MAKING MOTORCYCLES
In response to ever-increasing sales volume of clothing, accessories, and other Harley paraphernalia, and coupled with tight financial times that put a further squeeze on overpriced, under-performing machinery, Harley-Davidson has partnered with Proptronics to produce a specialty motorcycle called "Stylin' Iron".
Proptronics is the company famous for making fake appliances that are used in model homes for purposes of show only. In a brilliant management decision, Harley-Davidson is acknowledging that the only reason most people buy their equipment is indeed as a fashion accessory. By building a prop motorcycle, costs can be dramatically cut.
The new Stylin' Iron will have the look and feel of a real Harley motorcycle, and even comes equipped with a recorded “potato-potato” sound synthesiser, smoky air pump to simulate exhaust, and an adjustable-rate oil leak. The bike is priced under $1200 and is available immediately.
Corporate-wide sales are expected to soar, as the new model will allow Harley owners to spend more money on leather, hats, sunglasses, black/orange underwear, watercolor tattoos, fake ponytails, and jewelry, due to no longer having to keep the machinery in actual running and riding condition. This expected surge in accessory sales has prompted the Milwaukee company to begin talks with the American clothing designer "Dickies" to supply genuine Harley-Davidson clothing, and retailer Wal-Mart to feature the new Stylin' Irons in their sporting goods department.
A spokesman for Harley-Davidson commented "We expect Stylin' Iron to be a huge success. The phase-out of current machinery will relieve the company of having to deal with complaints from the few Harley riders who actually understand motorcycling, and allow us to focus entirely on the majority of fashion-conscious customers who will continue to buy our products."
"Parked in front of your garage, or towed on a trailer (surveys indicate that 90% of Harley-Davidsons travel to “events” on trailers), Stylin’ Iron is indistinguishable from the current line of Harley-Davidson motorcycles, at least in a fashion sense”.
Company engineers who have tested the new machine claim “it actually performs just as well on the road also, given a suitable downhill grade and tailwind."