Harley-Davidson: no US sales hit from job offshoring dustup

Harley-Davidson executives said today they had seen no US sales hit so far over the decision to relocate some American manufacturing overseas as the company navigates trade conflicts.

"We've actually done quite a lot of consumer research...and we see no discernible shift in the sales patterns" or to brand favourability, chief executive Matt Levatich said on an analyst conference call.

The motorcycle company found itself in the firing line of President Donald Trump, who repeatedly attacked the company on Twitter after Harley announced the move on June 26 in response to European Union tariffs on US-made bikes.

Trump's attacks on Harley for being the first to "wave the White Flag" had raised fears among investors the company's sales could be hurt given the president's popularity in areas of the United States where Harleys sell well.

But Harley executives said direct consumer research, as well as sales, showed no evidence of a hit due to the uproar.

"We'll continue to be sure we monitor it...and correct errors in interpretation that seem to pop up from time to time," Levatich said. "We're on it." Trump's name did not come up during a 60-minute earnings conference call, although Levatich did say at one point that the company was working with US administration officials and other governments to "get these tariffs removed."