Harley-Davidson,
the motorcycle maker, reported a fourth-quarter loss Friday, its first
quarterly shortfall in 16 years, hurt by restructuring costs and the
sluggish economy. Harley-Davidson has come under pressure over the last
year as the tight credit markets and the weak economy led consumers to
shun purchases of its high-end, heavyweight motorcycles. The company
has been reorganizing its business through layoffs, factory closures
and closing or selling unwanted brands. Harley said shipments of its
bikes to dealers in 2009 fell 27 percent, to 223,023. For 2010, Harley
said it expects shipments to fall another 5 to 10 percent to 201,000 to
212,000 motorcycles. Harley-Davidson said it lost $218.7 million, or 94
cents a share, during the fourth quarter. That marks its first
three-month loss since the fourth quarter of 1993 and contrasts with a
profit of $77.8 million, or 34 cents a share, a year ago. Revenue
tumbled 40 percent, to $764.5 million from $1.28 billion a year ago.
