Harley-Davidson proudly produced their 4 millionth motorcycle, a 2013 Road Glide Ultra, on October 16, 2012 in their York, Pennsylvania facility. Less than one month later, November 1, 2012, the Honda ATV manufacturing plant in Timmonsville, South Carolina drove their 2.5 millionth all-terrain vehicle off the assembly line.
The Harley-Davidson motorcycle plant in York, PA began production in 1973 and about 20 years later built their 1 millionth bike motorcycle. A mere 19 years later the 4 millionth motorcycle rolled off the assembly line and into a dealership in Leesburg, Florida, where it was sold to a couple who had previously owned five other Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Unbeknownst to the new owners, who were treated to an all expense paid trip to the plant to meet the workers and watch the video of the birth of their new Harley-Davison motorcycle, they purchased a very special Road Glide Ultra. The couple that purchased the 2013 Road Glide Ultra plan on taking their new motorcycle on a trip to Panama City in May 2013 and then to Harley-Davidson’s 110th anniversary celebration in Milwaukee from August 29th through September 1st.
A little over 500 miles away, in Timmonsville, South Carolina at the Honda of South Carolina Manufacturing facility, production was complete on their 2.5 millionth Honda ATV after 14 years of operation. Honda celebrated by offering all their powersports dealers a chance to win $10,000 by producing the best Honda ATV display on their showroom floor. The contest paid off, as Honda ATV sales in November posted their highest market share in the past 10 years. In addition to the production of 2.5 million Honda ATVs, the facility also hit a milestone when the two millionth engine was produced in July of 2013.
With all the negative news about the economy, both Harley-Davidson and American Honda Motor Co. should be commended for restructuring efforts that have resulted in milestone achievements.