Harley-Davidson reported a profit of $134.0 million dollars over the third quarter of 2012. That represents a 27% decrease from the net profit of $183.6 million reported over the same quarter of 2011, but the drop was an expected result from a planned decrease in third quarter shipments as Harley-Davidson adopts an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) manufacturing system at its York, Pa., factory.

The Milwaukee company shipped 52,793 motorcycles in the three months ended Sept. 30, 2012, compared to 61,745 motorcycles in the same period in 2011. Shipments are expected to decrease further over the fourth quarter but Harley-Davidson plans to make up for it with increased production in the new year.

“The third quarter marked a pivotal milestone in Harley-Davidson’s transformation,” says Keith Wandell, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Harley-Davidson. “With the launch of the ERP production system at York, a major piece of our restructuring work is behind us. We are now focused on optimizing the system and look forward to the start of seasonal surge production early next year.” Continue Reading »

Suzuki reported its second consecutive profitable quarter from its motorcycle division, following  11 consecutive quarters in the red.

For the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2011, Suzuki raked in 62.3 billion yen (US$808.5 million) from motorcycle sales, compared to the 61.4 billion yen (US$796.8 billion) reported in the same period last year. Operating income for the quarter totaled 400 million yen (US$5.2 million), an improvement from the 300 million yen (US$3.9 million) profit reported in the first quarter. By comparison, the total 700 million yen (US$9.1 million) operating income reported this year is a big improvement from the 4.1 billion yen (US$53.2 million) loss reported in the first half last year.

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The BMW Group reported a 14.8% increase in motorcycle revenue and a 6.5% increase in unit sales during the quarter ended Sept. 30, 2011.

The German manufacturer sold 28,862 units over the quarter, including 26,312 BMW-branded motorcycles and 2,550 units from its Husqvarna subsidiary. BMW sales were up 7.4% from the 24,493 units sold in the same quarter of 2010. Husqvarna sales were down 1.9% however from the 2,601 units sold in Q3 2010.

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Honda reports a 20.0% year-on-year increase in motorcycle and ATV sales over the second quarter ended Sept. 30, 2011. Despite a record second quarter for motorcycle sales, Honda saw a drop in net profit due to struggling auto sales and the aftereffects of the Japanese earthquake in March and flooding in Thailand.

According to its second quarter 2011-2012 report, Honda sold 3.28million motorcycles, a new second quarter record. By comparison, Honda sold 2.73 million motorcycles in the same quarter last year.

Motorcycles generated 38.9 billion yen (US$498.7 million) in operating income, a 29.6% increase from the same quarter last year. Despite the strong performance from its motorcycle division, Honda saw a 55.5% drop in net income, taking in 60.4 billion yen (US$774.3 million) over the quarter, compared to 135.4 billion yen (US$1.74 billion) reported last year. Honda attributes the decrease to parts shortages created by the March earthquake and tsunami, as well as a strong yen.

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As expected, Harley-Davidson reported a net income of $183.6 million over the third quarter ended Sept. 25, 2011, a 106% increase from the $88.8 million reported in the same quarter of 2010.

Harley-Davidson reported sales revenue of $1.23 billion, a 13.4% increase from the $1.09 billion reported in the same quarter of 2010. Operating income from sales totaled $180.7 million, a year-on-year increase from $101.5 million.

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Polaris Industries announced another record quarter with sales growth across all its product lines including on-road vehicle sales which consist mainly of Victory Motorcycles and Indian Motorcycles.

The Medinia, Minn., company reported $67.6 million in net income for the third quarter ended Sept. 30, 2011, a 43% increase from the $47.2 million reported in the same quarter of 2010. Overall sales brought in $729.9 million, a 26% increase from Q3 2010′s $580.1.

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Suzuki’s motorcycle business saw a profit for the first time in 11 quarters despite selling 21.0% fewer motorcycles.

In the quarter ended June 30, 2011, Suzuki saw an operating income of 300 million yen (US$3.8 million), compared to a loss of 1.8 billion yen (US$22.9 million) reported in the same quarter of 2010. Suzuki netted 75.4 billion yen (US$961.5 million) in motorcycle sales over the quarter, a year-on-year increase of 8.0% from 69.8 billion yen (US$890.0 million) in 2010.

Looking at unit sales however, the picture is less rosy. Suzuki sold 648,000 motorcycles over the quarter (including 6,000 ATVs), a decrease from the 820,000 units (with 7,000 of them ATVs) in the same quarter of 2010. Sales in China accounted for most of the decrease, as sales dropped to 215,000 units from 429,000 units.

North American sales fell to 15,000 units from17,000 units while European sales dropped from 33,000 units to 25,000 units. Meanwhile, Suzuki saw increases in unit sales in Japan (22,000 vs. 20,000), Africa (31,000 vs. 23,000) and Central and South America (48,000 vs. 36,000).

Overall, Suzuki saw a net profit of 18.7 billion yen (US$238.4 million), a 23.6% increase from the 15.2 billion yen (US$193.8 million) reported a year earlier.

[Source: Suzuki]

A drop in net sales, an appreciating yen and the fallout from the March 11 earthquake and tsunamis in Japan contributed to a 4.6% drop in profit for Yamaha Motor Co. over the second quarter of 2011.

Over the quarter ended June 30, 2011, Yamaha saw a 5.9% drop in net sales compared to the same period in 2010.Yamaha reports sales of 344.5 billion yen (US$4.48 billion) over the second quarter, compared to the 366.3 billion yen (US$4.77 billion) reported in the same quarter in 2010. Yamaha’s second quarter net income totaled 15.5 billion yen (US$201.6 million), a 4.9% drop from the 16.2 billion yen (US$210.7 million) reported last year.

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The Piaggio Group reported slight increases in net sales and net profit over the first six months of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010.

Net sales increased 1.1% to 830 million euros (US$1.19 billion) over the first six months of 2011, compared to 820 million euros (US$1.18 billion) in the first half of 2010. Piaggio reported a net profit of 33.3 million euros (US$47.9 million), a slight increase from the net profit of 33.1 million euros (US$47.6 million) reported last year.

Piaggio reported an 18.8% increase in motorcycle sales, though those gains were overshadowed by a decrease in scooter sales. Piaggio generated 102.1 million euros (US$146.8 million) from motorcycle sales, compared to 85.9 million euros (US$123.5 million) in 2010. Piaggio attributed the growth to strong demand for Aprilia and Moto Guzzi models.

Scooter sales however dipped to 397.0 million euros (US$570.6 million) compared to net sales of 421.3 million euros (US$605.5 million) in 2010.

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Polaris Industries reported a 99% increase in on-road vehicle (i.e. Victory Motorcycles) sales, and a 90% increase in overall net income over the second quarter of 2011.

For the quarter ended June 20, 2011, Polaris reported $30.9 million in product sales from its on-road division which consists primarily of Victory Motorcycles. That is nearly double the $15.5 million reported in the same quarter of 2010.

Victory’s North American unit sales were up 40% over the second quarter, while the rest of the heavyweight cruiser and touring industry saw only a single-digit increase in U.S. sales. Sales outside of North America increased by 34%.

Overall, Polaris reported all-time record second quarters in both sales ($607.9 million) and net income ($48.7 million).

[Source: Polaris]

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