Quote: Indian is going to be a hard sell as a high end cruiser. It really has no continous heritage like Harley or Triumph and those old enough to afford and want one will remember the brand's recent failures. Failures that cost the owners that took a chance and bought one.
How many models will they introduce? Will they have a huge selection of paint options and accessories? Will Polaris outsource components to China like they do with Victory? The buyer of a limited production high end cruiser will probably want to order the bike his way and not just take what the dealer happens to have on the floor. This adds up to a tough business situation for it's dealers. Example: The local Harley dealers around here sell ONLY Harleys and are full of customers every Saturday...and they are buying. The 2 local Victory dealers sell at least 2 other brands of bikes and don't have as much showroom traffic..not even close. Look at the high-end buying experience in a big Harley dealership vs trying to sell a $28,000 Indian that is sitting next to a row of Japanese dirt bikes. and in the back of every buyer (and dealer principal's) mind is "will Indian stick around this time?"
The only good thing this time is Polaris does not need to make money on Indian...for a while anyway.
What components on my Victory were outsourced to China? I know the front end components are. HD front are Japanese I believe. I really don't know. Maybe as many as are on your bike? Are there any components on your Thai built bike not British?
Last I read Victory has the same percentage of U.S. parts as Harley. I am surprised somebody with a Thaiumph would be so concerned with outsourcing.
I almost bought a Victory Vegas 8-ball before deciding on the Triumph this time. The Victory had a big old "Made In China" label wrapped around the main wire harness. Nice bike though a little overdone on the all black, zero chrome trend. Priced about the same as a Harley Dyna Superglide Custom ...without the resale value of course.
This is a quote from Polaris/Victory CEO Scott Wine
Quote: “We’ve decided strategically that we don’t need to be in the seat-making business, we don’t need to be in the stamping business, and we don’t need to be in the tube-bending business,” Wine said outlining the company’s outsourcing strategy, “So we’re going to take those businesses and outsource them.”
And I have given Triumph hell around here for not building every bike in England albeit with some outsourced parts like every other manufacturer does. Engines/powertrains are still all made in England at least. By the way comparing outsourced parts for an $8,000 price point Triumph final assembled in Thailand against a high end over $20,000 Indian would be apples to oranges.
Seems like everyone can take a shot at Harley around here but the Victory boys are a little thin skinned.
2011 Triumph America (10/2011 to 07/2014)
2012 Harley Davidson 1200C Sportster
2014 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide
