Harley-Davidson valued at “More than General Motors”

**Bob** · 26th March 2005, 00:41

The market value of Harley-Davidson has surpassed that of General Motors (US$16.6 billion market value), the world's largest carmaker.

To be fair, the shift doesn't speak to the success of Harley as much as it does to GM's problems, with the motoring giant forecasting its worst first-quarter loss in 14 years, but it does speak volumes for the American bike manufacturer’s ongoing ability to keep generating profits.

**merv** · 26th March 2005, 10:22

About 10 or 15 year ago the news was all about how Microsoft passed GM on the stock market a sign that the old technologies were being over taken by the new in value. Harley are doing well having figured out how to make old technology attractive by being a lifestyle thing and not a necessity. GM on the other hand don't seem to have figured this out and they don't seem to be able to compete on any front properly so their shares take a dive because of serious losses.

**Oscar** · 27th March 2005, 20:54

Maybe, maybe not: GM is not the World's biggest car maker and only smaller than smaller than HD on one measure.

Whereas HD's market value is certainly listed as being in excess of US$17b on the Nasdaq, and General Motors' market valuation is listed as US$16.5b, the world's biggest car maker, Toyota is listed by Forbes as being worth US$115.4b.

GM NYSE

HD Value

It should also be noted that whereas GM's market value has fallen dramatically, they still employ 350,000 people compared to HD's 9,100, and have sales of US$185.5b compared to HD's paltry US$4.62b. The other thing, is as we speak, HD's shares are falling (and have been for some time) and GM's are going up.

**Motu** · 27th March 2005, 22:07

I read once that GMs profit on each car was $1 - but when you churn out billions a year,the dollars mount up.Shear volume,HD will never produce even the tiniest fraction of vehicles GM does.