Company overview
Harley-Davidson, Inc. (H-D) is an American motorcycle manufacturer and lifestyle brand headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Founded in 1903, it emerged as one of only two American motorcycle manufacturers to survive the Great Depression. The company’s history includes numerous ownership changes and periods of economic difficulty, yet it has maintained a strong brand identity and loyal customer base. Harley-Davidson is known for its distinctive style of customization, particularly the chopper motorcycle design. Initially focused on heavyweight air-cooled cruisers with engines over 700 cc, the company expanded its offerings in the early 21st century with models like the VRSC and Street. Production facilities are located in York, Pennsylvania; Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin; Tomahawk, Wisconsin; Manaus, Brazil; and Rayong, Thailand. Harley-Davidson began producing bicycles in 1917 to bolster motorcycle sales and later collaborated with BMW on a shaft-driven motorcycle during World War II. During the war, it produced over 90,000 motorcycles for the U.S. Army and supplied thousands more to Allied nations through Lend-Lease programs. Following the war, Harley-Davidson acquired and adapted designs from other manufacturers, including the DKW RT 125, which became the Hummer. The company also established a partnership with Aermacchi in 1960, producing motorcycles under the Harley-Davidson brand until 1978.
