Document


 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549
FORM 10-K
ý
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended: December 31, 2018
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from             to             
Commission file number 1-9183
Harley-Davidson, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Wisconsin
 
39-1382325
(State of organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
3700 West Juneau Avenue
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
 
53208
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip code)
Registrant's telephone number: (414) 342-4680
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
 
Name of each exchange on which registered
COMMON STOCK, $.01 PAR VALUE PER SHARE
 
NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: NONE
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.   Yes  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes  ¨   No  ý
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ý
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act
Large accelerated filer
 
ý
 
Accelerated filer
 
¨
 
Emerging growth company
 
o
Non-accelerated filer
 
¨
 
Smaller reporting company
 
¨
 
 
 
 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes  ¨    No  ý
Aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant at July 1, 2018: $6,987,984,229
Number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding at February 1, 2019: 159,543,955 shares
Documents Incorporated by Reference
Part III of this report incorporates information by reference from registrant’s Proxy Statement for the annual meeting of its shareholders to be held on May 9, 2019
 




Harley-Davidson, Inc.
Form 10-K
For The Year Ended December 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
Page
Part I
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1.
Item 1A.
Item 1B.
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
 
 
 
Part II
 
 
 
 
 
Item 5.
Item 6.
Item 7.
Item 7A.
Item 8.
Item 9.
Item 9A.
 
 
 
Part III
 
 
 
 
 
Item 10.
Item 11.
Item 12.
Item 13.
Item 14.
 
 
 
Part IV
 
 
 
 
 
Item 15.
Item 16.
 
 


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PART I
(1) Note regarding forward-looking statements
The Company intends that certain matters discussed by the Company in this report are “forward-looking statements” intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can generally be identified as such because the context statement will include words such as the Company “believes,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,” “estimates,” or words of similar meaning. Similarly, statements that describe future plans, objectives, outlooks, targets, guidance or goals are also forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated as of the date of this report. Certain of such risks and uncertainties are described in close proximity to such statements or elsewhere in this report, including under the caption “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of this report and under “Cautionary Statements” in Item 7 of this report. Shareholders, potential investors, and other readers are urged to consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements and cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in the Overview and Outlook section of Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations are only made as of January 29, 2019 and the remaining forward-looking statements in this report are made as of the date indicated or, if a date is not indicated, as of the date of the filing of this report (February 28, 2019), and the Company disclaims any obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. 
Item 1.        Business
General
Harley-Davidson Motor Company was founded in 1903. Harley-Davidson, Inc. was incorporated in 1981, at which time it purchased the Harley-Davidson® motorcycle business from AMF Incorporated in a management buyout. In 1986, Harley-Davidson, Inc. became publicly held. Unless the context otherwise requires, all references to the “Company” include Harley-Davidson, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries. Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company for the groups of companies doing business as Harley-Davidson Motor Company (HDMC) and Harley-Davidson Financial Services (HDFS). The Company has two reportable segments: the Motorcycles and Related Products (Motorcycles) segment and the Financial Services segment.
Strategy
The Company's long-term strategy, announced in 2017, is to build the next generation of Harley-Davidson riders globally and includes the following 2027 objectives:

Build two million new Harley-Davidson riders in the U.S.
Grow the Harley-Davidson international business to 50 percent of its total annual volume
Launch 100 new, high-impact Harley-Davidson motorcycles
Deliver superior return on invested capital for HDMC that falls within the top quartile of the S&P 500
Grow the business without growing its environmental impact

On July 30, 2018, the Company disclosed its “More Roads to Harley-Davidson” plan to accelerate the Company's strategy to build the next generation of riders globally. The More Roads to Harley-Davidson plan through 2022 includes three growth catalysts:

New products - keep current riders engaged and inspire new riders by extending heavyweight leadership and expanding into new markets and segments
Broader access - meet customers where they are and how they want to engage with a multi-channel retail experience
Stronger dealers - drive a performance framework to improve dealer financial strength and the Harley-Davidson customer experience
Motorcycles and Related Products Segment
The Motorcycles segment consists of HDMC, which designs, manufactures and sells at wholesale on-road Harley-Davidson motorcycles as well as motorcycle parts, accessories, general merchandise and related services. The Company conducts business on a global basis, with sales in the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe/Middle East/Africa (EMEA) and Asia Pacific.

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The following table includes Motorcycles segment revenue by product line as a percent of total revenue for the last three fiscal years(a):
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Motorcycles
 
78.1
%
 
76.6
%
 
76.9
%
Parts & Accessories
 
15.2
%
 
16.3
%
 
15.9
%
General Merchandise
 
4.9
%
 
5.3
%
 
5.4
%
Licensing
 
0.8
%
 
0.8
%
 
0.8
%
Other
 
1.0
%
 
1.0
%
 
1.0
%
 
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
(a)
In connection with the adoption of ASU 2014-09, the Company has changed its presentation of disaggregated Motorcycles segment revenue and the prior period has been recast to reflect the new presentation.
Motorcycles - The Company's current Harley-Davidson motorcycle offerings include cruiser and touring models that feature unique styling, innovative design, distinctive sound, and superior quality with the ability to customize. These Harley-Davidson motorcycles generally have engines with displacements that are greater than 601cc's, up to a maximum displacement of approximately 1900cc's.
The total on-road motorcycle market is comprised of the following segments:
Cruiser (emphasizes styling and owner customization);
Touring (emphasizes rider comfort and load capacity and incorporates features such as fairings and luggage compartments);
Standard (a basic motorcycle which usually features upright seating for one or two passengers);
Sportbike (incorporates racing technology, aerodynamic styling, low handlebars with a “sport” riding position and high performance tires); and
Dual (designed with the capability for use on public roads as well as for some off-highway recreational use).
The Company's current lineup of motorcycles competes primarily in the cruiser and touring segments of the market. Competition in the segments of the motorcycle market in which the Company currently competes is based upon a number of factors including product capabilities and features, styling, price, quality, reliability, warranty, availability of financing, and quality of the dealer network that sells the product. The Company believes its motorcycles continue to generally command a premium price at retail relative to competitors’ motorcycles. The Company emphasizes remarkable styling, customization, innovation, sound, quality and reliability in its products and generally offers a two-year warranty for its motorcycles. The Company considers the availability of a line of motorcycle parts & accessories and general merchandise, the availability of financing through HDFS and its global network of independent dealers to be competitive advantages.
Under the More Roads to Harley-Davidson plan, the Company intends to introduce new products including electric motorcycles; a new middle-weight platform of motorcycles that includes adventure touring, custom and streetfighter models with engine displacements ranging from 500cc's to 1250cc's; and smaller displacement motorcycles for emerging markets. The Company plans to introduce these new motorcycles between 2019 and 2022, starting with a new electric motorcycle, LiveWireTM, in the second half of 2019.
Motorcycle Industry Data - In 2018, the U.S. and European markets accounted for approximately 76% of the total annual independent dealer retail sales of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles. The most significant other markets for the Company, based on the Company's 2018 retail sales data, were Japan, Australia, and Canada.
In the U.S., the 601+cc portion of the motorcycle market represented approximately 77% of the total motorcycle market in 2018, based on new units registered. The cruiser and touring segments accounted for approximately 70% of the U.S. 601+cc market in 2018. Harley-Davidson has been the historical market share leader in the U.S. 601+cc portion of the motorcycle market (U.S. industry data source: Motorcycle Industry Council).

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The following chart includes U.S. retail registration data for 601+cc motorcycles for the years 2016 through 2018:
U.S. Motorcycle Registration Data(a)(b) 
601+cc (Units in thousands)
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Total new motorcycle registrations
 
263.8

 
288.8

 
311.7

Harley-Davidson new registrations
 
131.1

 
146.5

 
159.5

 
 
49.7
%
 
50.7
%
 
51.2
%

(a)
Data includes on-road 601+cc models. On-road 601+cc models include dual purpose models, three-wheeled vehicles and autocycles. Registration data for Harley-Davidson Street® 500 motorcycles is not included in this table.
(b)
U.S. industry data is derived from information provided by the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC). This third-party data is subject to revision and update. The retail registration data for Harley-Davidson motorcycles presented in this table will differ from the Harley-Davidson retail sales data presented in Item 7 of this report. The Company’s source for retail sales data in Item 7 of this report is sales and warranty registrations provided by Harley-Davidson dealers as compiled by the Company. The retail sales data in Item 7 includes sales of Harley-Davidson Street® 500 motorcycles which are excluded from the 601+cc units included in the retail registration data in this table. In addition, small differences may arise related to the timing of data submissions to the independent sources.
The European 601+cc motorcycle market is larger than the U.S. market and customer preferences differ from those of U.S. customers. The touring and cruiser segments represented approximately 51% of the European 601+cc market in 2018 compared to approximately 70% of the 601+ cc market in the U.S.
The following chart includes European retail registration data for 601+cc motorcycles for the years 2016 through 2018:
European Motorcycle Registration Data(a)(b) 
601+cc (Units in thousands)
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
Total new motorcycle registrations
 
397.7

 
390.6

 
391.9

Harley-Davidson new registrations
 
40.9

 
38.1

 
42.3

 
 
10.3
%
 
9.8
%
 
10.8
%
 
(a)
On-road 601+cc models include dual purpose models, three-wheeled vehicles and autocycles. Registration data for Harley-Davidson Street® 500 motorcycles is not included in this table.
(b)
Europe data includes retail sales in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Industry retail motorcycle registration data is derived from information provided by the Association des Constructeurs Europeens de Motocycles (ACEM), an independent agency. This third-party data is subject to revision and update. The retail registration data for Harley-Davidson motorcycles presented in this table will differ from the Harley-Davidson retail sales data presented in Item 7 of this report. The Company’s source for retail sales data in Item 7 of this report is sales and warranty registrations provided by Harley-Davidson dealers as compiled by the Company. The retail sales data in Item 7 includes sales of Harley-Davidson Street® 500 motorcycles which are excluded from the 601+cc units included in the retail registration data in this table. In addition, some differences may arise related to the timing of data submissions to the independent sources.
Parts & Accessories (P&A) and General Merchandise – The Company offers a complete line of Harley-Davidson P&A and General Merchandise. P&A products are comprised of replacement parts (Genuine Motor Parts) and mechanical and cosmetic accessories (Genuine Motor Accessories). General Merchandise includes MotorClothes® apparel and riding gear.
Licensing – The Company creates an awareness of the Harley-Davidson brand among its customers and the non-riding public by licensing the name “Harley-Davidson” and other trademarks owned by the Company for use on a wide range of products for enthusiasts and others.
Patents and Trademarks – The Company strategically manages its portfolio of patents, trade secrets, copyrights, trademarks and other intellectual property.

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The Company and its subsidiaries own, and continue to obtain, patent rights that relate to its motorcycles and related products and processes for their production. Certain technology-related intellectual property is also protected, where appropriate, by license agreements, confidentiality agreements or other agreements with suppliers, employees and other third parties. The Company diligently protects its intellectual property, including patents and trade secrets, and its rights to innovative and proprietary technology and designs. This protection, including enforcement, is important as the Company moves forward with investments in new products, designs and technologies. While the Company believes patents are important to its business operations and in the aggregate constitute a valuable asset, the success of the business is not dependent on any one patent or group of patents. The Company’s active patent portfolio has an average age for patents of approximately seven years. A patent review committee manages the patent strategy and portfolio of the Company.
Trademarks are important to the Company’s motorcycle business and licensing activities. The Company has a vigorous worldwide program of trademark registration and enforcement to maintain and strengthen the value of the trademarks and prevent the unauthorized use of those trademarks. The HARLEY-DAVIDSON trademark and the Bar and Shield trademark are each highly recognizable to the public and are very valuable assets. Additionally, the Company uses numerous other trademarks, trade names and logos which are registered worldwide. The following are among the Company’s trademarks: HARLEY-DAVIDSON, H-D, HARLEY, the Bar & Shield Logo, MOTORCLOTHES, the MotorClothes Logo, the Willie G Skull Logo, HARLEY OWNERS GROUP, H.O.G., the H.O.G. Logo, SOFTAIL and SPORTSTER. The HARLEY-DAVIDSON trademark has been used since 1903 and the Bar and Shield trademark since at least 1910. Substantially all of the Company’s trademarks are owned by H-D U.S.A., LLC, a subsidiary of the Company, which also manages the Company’s global trademark strategy and portfolio.
Marketing and Customer Experiences – The Company’s products are marketed to retail customers worldwide primarily through digital and experiential activities as well as through more traditional promotional and advertising activities. Additionally, the Company's independent dealers engage in a wide range of local marketing and experiential activities in part supported by cooperative programs with the Company.
Customer experiences have traditionally been at the center of much of the Company’s marketing. To attract customers and achieve its goals, the Company participates in motorcycle rallies and special motorcycle events around the world, racing activities, music festivals, sports events and other special events.
The Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.®) promotes Harley-Davidson products and the related lifestyle and sponsors motorcycle events, including rallies and rides for Harley-Davidson motorcycle enthusiasts throughout the world.
The Company's Harley-Davidson® Riding Academy offers a series of rider education experiences that provide both new and experienced riders with deeper engagement in the sport of motorcycling by teaching basic and advanced motorcycling skills and knowledge. The courses are conducted by a network of participating Harley-Davidson dealerships in the U.S., China, Mexico and Colombia, enabling students to experience the Harley-Davidson lifestyle, environment, people and products as they learn.
Through the Company's agreement with EagleRider, riders in the U.S. can rent Harley-Davidson motorcycles and participate in motorcycle tours. EagleRider is the exclusive provider of Harley-Davidson touring and cruiser motorcycle rentals and has locations throughout the U.S., including at select Harley-Davidson dealerships. Outside the U.S., riders can rent Harley-Davidson motorcycles from participating dealers through the Company's Authorized Rental Program and participate in tours through the Company's Harley-Davidson Authorized Tours Program.
The Company's Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is a unique destination that the Company believes builds and strengthens bonds between riders and Harley-Davidson and enhances the Harley-Davidson brand among the public at large.
Distribution – The Company’s products are retailed primarily through a network of independent dealers, of which the majority sell Harley-Davidson motorcycles exclusively. These dealerships stock and sell the Company’s motorcycles, P&A, general merchandise and licensed products, and perform service on Harley-Davidson motorcycles. The Company believes the quality retail experience that its independent dealers provide is a differentiating and strategic advantage for the Company.

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The Company distributes its motorcycles and related products to a network of independent dealers located in approximately 100 countries worldwide. The following table includes the number of worldwide Harley-Davidson independent dealerships by geographic location as of December 31, 2018:
 
 
United States
 
Canada
 
Latin America
 
EMEA
 
Asia Pacific
 
Total
Dealerships
 
691

 
69

 
64

 
412

 
299

 
1,535

P&A, general merchandise and licensed products are also retailed through eCommerce channels in certain markets. In the U.S., the Company operates an eCommerce site that offers products sold through participating authorized U.S. Harley-Davidson dealers and also sells directly to consumers through a well-known third-party eCommerce site. The Company also utilizes third-party eCommerce sites in select international markets.
Retail Customer and Dealer Financing – The Company believes that HDFS, as well as other third-party financial institutions, provide access to financing for Harley-Davidson dealers and their retail customers. HDFS provides financing to Harley-Davidson independent dealers and retail customers of independent dealers in the U.S. and Canada. The Company’s independent dealers and their retail customers in EMEA, Asia Pacific and Latin America are not directly financed by HDFS, but have access to financing through other established financial services companies, some of which have licensing or branding agreements with HDFS.
Seasonality – The timing of retail sales made by the Company’s independent dealers tracks closely with regional riding seasons. The seasonality of the Company’s wholesale motorcycle shipments primarily correlates with the timing of retail sales. The Company utilizes flexible or surge manufacturing capabilities to help align the production and wholesale shipment of motorcycles with the retail selling season. This provides the Company the ability to reduce the impact of seasonality on inventory levels in the U.S. and Canada. In EMEA, Asia Pacific and Latin America, the Company utilizes a distribution process whereby Company-owned inventory is maintained locally at a level sufficient to fulfill dealer orders as needed.
Motorcycle ManufacturingThe Company has a flexible manufacturing process designed to help ensure it is well-positioned to meet customer demand in a timely and cost-effective manner.(1) This flexible or surge manufacturing capability allows the Company to increase the production of motorcycles ahead of and during the peak retail selling season to more closely correlate the timing of production and wholesale shipments to the retail selling season. It also allows the Company to respond to the desired model mix to meet customer demand.
The majority of the Company's motorcycles are manufactured at facilities located in the U.S. The Company's U.S. manufacturing facilities supply the U.S. market as well as certain international markets. Additionally, the Company operates facilities in Thailand, Brazil, India and Australia. The Company began producing at its new facility in Thailand in 2018, which currently manufactures motorcycles for certain Asian markets. In Brazil, the Company operates a Complete Knock Down (CKD) assembly facility, which assembles motorcycles sold in Brazil from component kits sourced from the Company’s U.S. plants and suppliers. In India, the Company operates a manufacturing facility that includes both CKD assembly of certain motorcycles for sale in India and production of the Company’s Street 750® motorcycles for distribution to markets outside of North America. Like its U.S. manufacturing facilities, the Company’s Thailand, Brazil and India operations are focused on driving world-class performance. The motorcycles assembled at the Company's international facilities have the same authentic look, sound, feel and quality of a motorcycle manufactured by the Company's U.S. facilities. These international facilities enable the Company to be close to the customer, provide quality products at a competitive price and grow its overall international business. In early 2019, the Company will cease operation of its manufacturing facility in Australia, which had produced a portion of its wheels for its motorcycles. These wheels will be sourced from other current suppliers.
Raw Materials and Purchased Components – The Company continues to establish and reinforce long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with its suppliers. Through these collaborative relationships, the Company gains access to technical and commercial resources for application directly to product design, development and manufacturing initiatives. In addition, through a continued focus on collaboration and strong supplier relationships, the Company believes it will be positioned to achieve strategic objectives and deliver cost and quality improvements over the long-term.(1) 
The Company's principal raw materials that are purchased include steel and aluminum castings, forgings, steel sheet and bar. The Company also purchases certain motorcycle components including, but not limited to, electronic fuel injection systems, batteries, tires, seats, electrical components, instruments and wheels. The Company closely monitors the overall viability of its supply base. At this time, the Company does not anticipate difficulties in obtaining raw materials or components.(1) 
Regulation – International, federal, state and local authorities have various environmental control requirements relating to air, water and noise that affect the business and operations of the Company. The Company strives to ensure that its facilities and products comply with all applicable environmental regulations and standards.

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The Company’s motorcycles and certain other products that are sold in the United States are subject to certification by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for compliance with applicable emissions and noise standards. Certain Harley-Davidson products are designed to comply with EPA and CARB standards and the Company believes it will comply with future requirements when they go into effect.(1) Additionally, certain of the Company’s products must comply with the motorcycle emissions, noise and safety standards of Canada, the European Union, Japan, Brazil and certain other foreign markets where they are sold, and the Company believes its products currently comply with those standards. Because the Company expects that environmental standards will become more stringent over time, the Company will continue to incur research, development and production costs in this area for the foreseeable future.(1) 
The Company, as a manufacturer of motorcycle products, is subject to the U.S. National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, which is administered by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Company has certified to NHTSA that certain of its motorcycle products comply fully with all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards and related regulations. The Company has from time to time initiated certain voluntary recalls. During the last three years, the Company has accrued $110.0 million associated with 9 voluntary recalls related to Harley-Davidson motorcycles.
Employees – As of December 31, 2018, the Motorcycles segment had approximately 5,300 employees.

Approximately 2,200 unionized employees at the U.S. manufacturing facilities are represented as follows:
York, Pennsylvania - International Association of Machinist and Aerospace Workers (IAM), collective bargaining agreement will expire on October 15, 2022
Kansas City, Missouri - United Steelworkers of America (USW) and IAM, collective bargaining agreement will expire on December 31, 2019
Milwaukee, Wisconsin - USW and IAM, collective bargaining agreements will expire on March 31, 2019
Tomahawk, Wisconsin - USW, collective bargaining agreement will expire on March 31, 2019
Financial Services Segment
The Financial Services segment consists of HDFS which is engaged in the business of financing and servicing wholesale inventory receivables and retail consumer loans, primarily for the purchase of Harley-Davidson motorcycles. HDFS also works with certain unaffiliated insurance companies to provide motorcycle insurance and protection products to motorcycle owners. HDFS conducts business principally in the U.S. and Canada. The Company’s independent dealers and their retail customers in EMEA, Asia Pacific and Latin America are not financed by HDFS, but have access to financing through other third-party financial institutions, some of which have licensing or branding agreements with the Company or HDFS.
Wholesale Financial Services – HDFS provides wholesale financial services to Harley-Davidson dealers, including floorplan and open account financing of motorcycles and motorcycle parts and accessories. HDFS offers wholesale financial services to Harley-Davidson dealers in the United States and Canada, and during 2018, all of such dealers utilized those services at some point during the year.
Retail Financial Services – HDFS provides retail financing to consumers, consisting primarily of installment lending for the purchase of new and used Harley-Davidson motorcycles. HDFS’ retail financial services are available through most Harley-Davidson dealerships in the United States and Canada.
Insurance Services – HDFS works with certain unaffiliated insurance companies which offer point-of-sale protection products through most Harley-Davidson dealers in both the U.S. and Canada, including motorcycle insurance, extended service contracts and motorcycle maintenance protection. HDFS also direct-markets motorcycle insurance and extended service contracts to owners of Harley-Davidson motorcycles. In addition, HDFS markets a comprehensive package of business insurance coverages and services to owners of Harley-Davidson dealerships.
Licensing HDFS has licensing arrangements with third-party financial institutions that issue credit cards bearing the Harley-Davidson brand in U.S. and international markets. Internationally, HDFS licenses the Harley-Davidson brand to local third-party financial institutions that offer products to the Company’s retail customers such as financing and insurance.
Funding – The Company believes a diversified and cost-effective funding strategy is important to meet HDFS’ goal of providing credit while delivering appropriate returns and profitability. Financial Services operations have been funded with unsecured debt, unsecured commercial paper, asset-backed commercial paper conduit facilities, committed unsecured bank facilities and asset-backed securitizations.
Competition – The Company regards its ability to offer a package of wholesale and retail financial services in the U.S. and Canada as a significant competitive advantage. Competitors in the financial services industry compete for business based

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largely on price and, to a lesser extent, service. HDFS competes on convenience, service, brand association, dealer relations, industry experience, terms and price.
In the United States, HDFS financed 64.9% of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles retailed by independent dealers during 2018, compared to 61.2% in 2017. In Canada, HDFS financed 39.9% of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles retailed by independent dealers during 2018, compared to 41.9% in 2017. Competitors for retail motorcycle finance business are primarily banks, credit unions and other financial institutions. In the motorcycle insurance business, competition primarily comes from national insurance companies and from insurance agencies serving local or regional markets. For insurance-related products such as extended service contracts, HDFS faces competition from certain regional and national industry participants as well as dealer in-house programs. Competition for the wholesale motorcycle finance business primarily consists of banks and other financial institutions providing wholesale financing to Harley-Davidson dealers in their local markets.
Trademarks – HDFS uses various trademarks and trade names for its financial services and products which are licensed from H-D U.S.A., LLC, including HARLEY-DAVIDSON, H-D and the Bar & Shield logo.
Seasonality – HDFS experiences seasonal variations in retail financing activities based on the timing of regional riding seasons in the U.S. and Canada. In general, from mid-March through August, retail financing volume is greatest. HDFS wholesale financing volume is affected by inventory levels at Harley-Davidson dealers. Dealers generally have higher inventory in the first half of the year. As a result, outstanding wholesale finance receivables are generally higher during the same period.
Regulation – Operations of HDFS (both U.S. and foreign) are subject, in certain instances, to supervision and regulation by state and federal administrative agencies and various foreign governmental authorities. Many of the requirements imposed by such entities are in place to provide consumer protection as it pertains to the selling and servicing of financial products and services. Therefore, HDFS operations may be subject to limitations imposed by regulations, laws and judicial and/or administrative decisions. In the U.S. for example, applicable laws include the federal Truth-in-Lending Act, Equal Credit Opportunity Act and Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Depending on the specific facts and circumstances involved, non-compliance with these laws may result in consequences such as limiting the ability of HDFS to collect all or part of the principal or interest on applicable loans, entitling the borrower to rescind the loan or to obtain a refund of amounts previously paid, or could subject HDFS to the payment of damages or penalties and administrative sanctions, including “cease and desist” orders, and could limit the number of loans eligible for HDFS securitization programs.
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act granted the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the Bureau) significant supervisory, enforcement, and rule-making authority in the area of consumer financial products and services. Certain Bureau actions and regulations will directly impact HDFS and its operations. For example, the Bureau has supervisory authority over non-bank larger participants in the vehicle financing market, which includes a non-bank subsidiary of HDFS.
Such regulatory requirements and associated supervision also could limit the discretion of HDFS in operating its business. Noncompliance with applicable statutes or regulations could result in the suspension or revocation of any charter, license or registration at issue, as well as the imposition of civil fines, criminal penalties and administrative sanctions.
A subsidiary of HDFS, Eaglemark Savings Bank (ESB), is a Nevada state thrift chartered as an Industrial Loan Company (ILC). The activities of this subsidiary are governed by federal laws and regulations as well as State of Nevada banking laws, and are subject to examination by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and Nevada state bank examiners. ESB originates retail loans and sells the loans to a non-banking subsidiary of HDFS. This process allows HDFS to offer retail products with many common characteristics across the United States and to similarly service loans to U.S. retail customers.
Employees – As of December 31, 2018, the Financial Services segment had approximately 600 employees.
Internet Access
The Company’s website address for investor relations is http://investor.harley-davidson.com/.
The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to those reports, are available on its website free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after it electronically files such material with, or furnishes such material to, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
In addition, the Company makes available, through its website, the following corporate governance materials: (a) the Company’s Corporate Governance Policy; (b) Committee Charters approved by the Company’s Board of Directors for the

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Audit and Finance Committee, Human Resources Committee, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Sustainability Committee; (c) the Company’s Financial Code of Ethics; (d) the Company’s Code of Business Conduct (the Code of Conduct); (e) the Conflict of Interest Process for Directors, Executive Officers and Other Employees (the Conflict Process); (f) a list of the Company’s Board of Directors; (g) the Company’s Bylaws; (h) the Company’s Environmental and Energy Policy; (i) the Company’s Policy for Managing Disclosure of Material Information; (j) the Company’s Supplier Code of Conduct in four languages including English; (k) the Sustainability Strategy Report; (l) the list of compensation survey participants used as market reference points for various components of compensation as reported in the Company’s Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement filed with the SEC on March 29, 2018, which compensation relates to the Company’s named executive officers; (m) the California Transparency in Supply Chain Act Disclosure; (n) Statement on Conflict Minerals; (o) Political Engagement and Contributions 2017-2018; and (p) the Company's Clawback Policy. The Company's Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC on or about March 29, 2019, which will include information related to the compensation of the Company's named executive officers, will be made available through its website.
The Company satisfies the disclosure requirements under the Code of Conduct, the Conflict Process and applicable New York Stock Exchange listing requirements regarding waivers of the Code of Conduct or the Conflict Process by disclosing the information in the Company’s proxy statement for its annual meeting of shareholders or on the Company’s website. The Company is not including the information contained on or available through its website as a part of, or incorporating such information by reference into, this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 1A.    Risk Factors
An investment in Harley-Davidson, Inc. involves risks, including those discussed below. These risk factors should be considered carefully before deciding whether to invest in the Company.

The Company may not be able to successfully execute its long-term business strategy. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to drive growth and increase ridership to the extent desired through its focus of efforts and resources on its long-term business strategy and the Harley-Davidson brand, or to enhance productivity and profitability to the extent desired through pricing and continuous improvement.

The Company’s strategy to grow ridership may not be successful. The Company has been successful in marketing its products in large part by promoting the experience of Harley-Davidson motorcycling. To sustain and grow the business over the long-term, the Company must grow the sport of motorcycling and continue to be successful selling products and promoting the experience of motorcycling to new customers, including new riders, competitive riders and those who have motorcycle licenses but do not currently ride. The Company’s efforts toward building two million riders in the U.S. between 2017 and 2027 and growing ridership internationally may not be successful, and achieving such growth in ridership may still not adequately meet the desired result of driving unit sales growth. Further, growing ridership in the U.S. may be challenging because the motorcycle market in the U.S. has been stagnant or declining, and the Company expects those conditions to continue. Failure to successfully drive demand for the Company's products may have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and results of operations.

Changes in trade policies, including the imposition of tariffs, their enforcement, and downstream consequences, may continue to have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, and outlook. Tariffs and/or other developments with respect to trade policies, trade agreements, and government regulations could have a material adverse impact on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations. To date, the European Union has placed a 25% incremental tariff (31% total tariff) on motorcycles imported into the European Union from the U.S., and that is scheduled to increase to a 50% incremental tariff (56% total tariff) effective June 1, 2021. Shipments of motorcycles to the European Union are a significant and growing portion of the Company’s total motorcycle sales. The China tariffs on Harley-Davidson motorcycles exported from the U.S. increased from 30% to 55%, effective August 23, 2018, and are set to remain in place indefinitely. In addition, the U.S government has imposed tariffs of 25% on steel imports and 10% on aluminum imports from certain countries, which has resulted in increased costs to the Company for these materials.

Without limitation, (i) tariffs currently in place, (ii) the imposition by the U.S. government of new tariffs on imports to the U.S. and/or (iii) the imposition by foreign countries of tariffs on U.S. products, including tariffs imposed in response to U.S. tariffs, could materially increase: (a) the cost of our products that we are offering for sale in relevant countries, (b) the cost of certain products that we source from foreign manufacturers, and (c) certain raw materials that we utilize, the prices of which tariffs may impact. We may not be able to pass such increased costs on to our dealers or their customers, and we may not be able to secure sources of certain products and materials that are not subject to

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tariffs on a timely basis. Such developments could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The Company previously disclosed plans to mitigate the impact of the current incremental European Union and China tariffs by the end of 2019. The Company is pursuing regulatory approvals for motorcycles sourced in Thailand to receive lower tariff treatment, but it is uncertain whether the Company will succeed in obtaining these regulatory approvals. As a result, the Company is considering multiple other options to serve the EU market should they be required. Options other than assembling motorcycles in Thailand would likely not result in mitigating the full impact of the current incremental European Union tariffs by the end of 2019.

The Company must effectively execute its manufacturing optimization plan within expected costs and timing. In January 2018, the Company announced a multi-year manufacturing optimization plan anchored by the consolidation of its final assembly plant in Kansas City, Missouri, into its York, Pennsylvania plant, and the closure of its wheel operations in Australia. These actions are designed to eliminate excess capacity and reduce production costs and component supply costs. Effectively executing these plans within expected costs and realizing expected benefits will depend upon a number of factors, including the time required to complete planned actions and effective collaboration with the unions representing the Company’s employees, the absence of material issues associated with workforce reductions, availability of and effective use of third-party service providers to assist in implementing the actions, the ability and effectiveness of current suppliers to take on additional component production volume, avoidance of unexpected disruptions in production, retention of key employees involved in implementing the restructuring plans and the ability of the Company to dispose of vacated facilities in a cost effective manner.

The Company’s ability to remain competitive is dependent upon its capability to develop and successfully introduce new, innovative and compliant products. The motorcycle market continues to change in terms of styling preferences and advances in new technology, and at the same time, it is subject to increasing regulations related to safety and emissions. The Company must continue to distinguish its products from its competitors’ products with unique styling and new technologies. The Company may not be able to achieve its goal of introducing 100 new, high-impact motorcycle models between 2017 and 2027, and introducing those models may still not lead to the desired result of driving unit sales growth. As the Company incorporates new and different features and technology into its products, the Company must protect its intellectual property from imitators and ensure its products do not infringe the intellectual property of other companies. In addition, these new products must comply with applicable regulations worldwide and satisfy the potential demand for products that produce lower emissions and achieve better fuel economy. The Company must make product advancements to respond to changing consumer preferences and market demands while maintaining the unique look, sound and feel associated with Harley-Davidson products, and development of electric vehicles will present challenges to the Company’s ability to maintain such look, sound and feel. The Company must also be able to design and manufacture these products and deliver them to a global marketplace in an efficient and timely manner and at prices that are attractive to customers. There can be no assurances that the Company will be successful in these endeavors or that existing and prospective customers will like or want the Company’s new products.

Increased supply of and/or declining prices for used motorcycles and excess supply of new motorcycles may adversely impact retail sales of new motorcycles by the Company’s independent dealers. The Company has observed that when the supply of used motorcycles increases or the prices for used Harley-Davidson motorcycles decline, there can be reduced demand among retail purchasers for new Harley-Davidson motorcycles (at or near manufacturer’s suggested retail prices). Further, the Company and its independent dealers can and do take actions that influence the markets for new and used Harley-Davidson motorcycles. For example, introduction of new motorcycle models with significantly different functionality, technology or other customer satisfiers can result in increased supply of used motorcycles, which could result in declining prices for used motorcycles and prior model-year new motorcycles. Also, while the Company has taken steps designed to balance production volumes for its new motorcycles with demand, those steps may not be effective, or the Company’s competitors could choose to supply new motorcycles to the market in excess of demand at reduced prices which could also have the effect of reducing demand for new Harley-Davidson motorcycles (at or near manufacturer’s suggested retail prices). Ultimately, reduced demand among retail purchasers for new Harley-Davidson motorcycles leads to reduced shipments by the Company.

The motorcycle industry has become increasingly competitive. Many of the Company’s competitors are more diversified than the Company, and they may compete in all segments of the motorcycle market, other powersports markets and/or the automotive market. Certain competitors appear to be increasing their investment in products that compete with the Company's products. Also, the Company’s manufacturer’s suggested retail price for its motorcycles is generally higher than its competitors, and as price becomes a more important competitive factor for consumers in

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the markets in which the Company competes, the Company may be at a competitive disadvantage. Furthermore, many competitors headquartered outside the U.S. experience a financial benefit from a strengthening in the U.S. dollar relative to their home currency that can enable them to reduce prices to U.S. consumers. In addition, the Company’s financial services operations face competition from various banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions that may have access to additional sources of capital at more competitive rates and terms, particularly for borrowers in higher credit tiers. The Company's responses to these competitive pressures, or its failure to adequately address and respond to these competitive pressures, may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and results of operations.

Changes in general economic and business conditions, tightening of credit and retail markets, political events or other factors may adversely impact dealers’ retail sales. The motorcycle industry is impacted by general economic conditions over which motorcycle manufacturers have little control. These factors can weaken the retail environment and lead to weaker demand for discretionary purchases such as motorcycles. Weakened economic conditions in certain business sectors and geographic areas can also result in reduced demand for the Company's products. Tightening of credit can limit the availability of funds from financial institutions and other lenders and sources of capital which could adversely affect the ability of retail consumers to obtain loans for the purchase of motorcycles from lenders, including HDFS. Should general economic conditions or motorcycle industry demand decline, the Company’s results of operations and financial condition may be substantially adversely affected. The motorcycle industry can also be affected by political conditions and other factors over which motorcycle manufacturers have little control.

Expanding international sales and operations subjects the Company to risks that may have a material adverse effect on its business. Expanding international sales and operations is a part of the Company’s long-term business strategy, particularly in light of the U.S. market conditions. There is no assurance that the Company will accomplish this successfully. Further, to support that strategy, the Company must increase its presence outside the U.S., including additional employees and investment in business infrastructure and operations. International operations and sales are subject to various risks, including political and economic instability, local labor market conditions, the imposition of foreign tariffs and other trade barriers, the impact of foreign government laws and regulations and U.S. laws and regulations that apply to international operations, and the effects of income and withholding taxes, governmental expropriation and differences in business practices. The Company may incur increased costs and experience delays or disruptions in product deliveries and payments in connection with international operations and sales that could cause loss of revenues and earnings. Unfavorable changes in the political, regulatory and business climate could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s net sales, financial condition, profitability or cash flows. This includes, for example, the uncertainty related to the United Kingdom’s withdrawal from the European Union (commonly known as “Brexit”). Business practices that may be accepted in other countries can violate U.S. or other laws that apply to the Company. Violations of laws that apply to the Company's foreign operations, such as the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, could result in severe criminal or civil sanctions, could disrupt the Company's business and result in an adverse effect on the Company's reputation, business and results of operations.

The Company may not be able to successfully execute its manufacturing strategy. The Company’s manufacturing strategy is designed to continuously improve product quality and increase productivity, while reducing costs and increasing flexibility to respond to ongoing changes in the marketplace. Based on the Company’s strategy, the Company may, from time to time, open, close, expand, contract or restructure one or more of its manufacturing facilities. The Company believes flexible manufacturing, including flexible supply chains and flexible labor agreements, is the key element to enable improvements in the Company’s ability to respond to customers in a cost effective manner. To execute this strategy, the Company must be successful in its implementation of facility changes and in its continuous improvement efforts, all of which are dependent on the involvement of management, production employees and suppliers. Any inability to achieve these objectives could adversely impact the profitability of the Company’s products and its ability to deliver the right product at the right time to the customer.

The Company must prevent and detect issues with its products, components purchased from suppliers, and its suppliers’ manufacturing processes to reduce the risk of recall campaigns, increased warranty costs or litigation, increased product liability claims or litigation, delays in new model launches, and inquiries or investigations by regulatory agencies. The Company must also complete any recall campaigns within cost expectations. The Company must continually improve and adhere to product development and manufacturing processes, and ensure that its suppliers and their sub-tier suppliers adhere to product development and manufacturing processes, to ensure high quality products are sold to retail customers. If product designs or manufacturing processes are defective, the Company could experience delays in new model launches, field actions such as product programs and product recalls, inquiries or investigations from regulatory agencies, warranty claims, and product liability claims, which may involve purported class actions. While the Company uses reasonable methods to estimate the cost of

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warranty, recall and product liability costs and appropriately reflects those in its financial statements, there is a risk the actual costs could exceed estimates and result in damages that are not covered by insurance. Further, selling products with poor quality, the announcement of recalls, and the filing of product liability claims (whether or not successful), may also adversely affect the Company’s reputation and brand strength.

A cybersecurity breach may adversely affect the Company’s reputation, revenue and earnings. The Company and certain of its third-party service providers and vendors receive, store, and transmit digital personal information in connection with the Company’s human resources operations, financial services operations, e-commerce, the Harley Owners Group, dealer management, mobile applications, planned connected vehicle services offerings and other aspects of its business. The Company’s information systems, and those of its third-party service providers and vendors, are vulnerable to the continually evolving cybersecurity risks. The Company's plan to offer connected vehicle services will heighten these risks. Unauthorized parties have attempted to and may attempt in the future to gain access to these systems or the information the Company and its third-party service providers and vendors maintain and use through fraud or other means of deceiving our employees and third-party service providers and vendors. Hardware, software or applications the Company develops or obtains from third-parties may contain defects in design or manufacture or other problems that could unexpectedly compromise information security and/or the Company’s operations. The methods used to obtain unauthorized access, disable or degrade service or sabotage systems are constantly evolving and may be difficult to anticipate or detect. The Company has implemented and regularly reviews and updates processes and procedures to protect against unauthorized access to or use of secured data and to prevent data loss. However, the ever-evolving threats mean the Company and third-party service providers and vendors must continually evaluate and adapt systems and processes, and there is no guarantee that they will be adequate to safeguard against all data security breaches or misuses of data. The Company has experienced information security attacks, but to date they have not materially compromised the Company’s computing environment or resulted in a material impact on the Company’s business or operations or the release of confidential information about employees, customers, dealers, suppliers or other third parties. Any future significant compromise or breach of the Company’s data security, whether external or internal, or misuse of customer, employee, dealer, supplier or Company data could result in disruption to the Company’s operations, significant costs, lost sales, fines and lawsuits, and/or damage to the Company’s reputation. In addition, as the regulatory environment related to information security, data collection and use, and privacy becomes increasingly rigorous, with new and evolving requirements, compliance could also result in the Company being required to incur additional costs.

The Company is exposed to market risk from changes in foreign exchange rates, commodity prices and interest rates. The Company sells its products internationally and in most markets those sales are made in the foreign country’s local currency. As a result, a weakening in those foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar can adversely affect the Company's revenue and margin, and cause volatility in results of operations. Furthermore, many competitors headquartered outside the U.S. experience a financial benefit from a strengthening in the U.S. dollar relative to their home currency that can enable them to reduce prices to U.S. consumers. The Company is also subject to risks associated with changes in prices of commodities. Earnings from the Company’s financial services business are affected by changes in interest rates. Although the Company uses derivative financial instruments to some extent to attempt to manage a portion of its exposure to foreign currency exchange rates and commodity prices, the Company does not attempt to manage its entire expected exposure, and these instruments generally do not extend beyond one year and may expose the Company to credit risk in the event of counterparty default to the derivative financial instruments. There can be no assurance that in the future the Company will successfully manage these risks.

The Financial Services operations are exposed to credit risk on its retail and wholesale receivables. Credit risk is the risk of loss arising from a failure by a customer, including the Company's independent dealers, to meet the terms of any contract with the Company’s financial services operations. Credit losses are influenced by general business and economic conditions, including unemployment rates, bankruptcy filings and other factors that negatively affect household incomes, as well as contract terms and customer credit profiles. Credit losses are also influenced by the markets for new and used motorcycles, and the Company and its independent dealers can and do take actions that impact those markets. For example, the introduction of new models by the Company that represent significant upgrades on previous models may result in increased supply or decreased demand in the market for used Harley-Davidson branded motorcycles, including those motorcycles that serve as collateral or security for credit that HDFS has extended. This in turn could adversely impact the prices at which those motorcycles may be sold, which may lead to increased credit losses for HDFS. Negative changes in general business, economic or market factors may have an additional adverse impact on the Company’s financial services credit losses and future earnings. The Company believes HDFS' retail credit losses may continue to increase over time due to changing consumer credit behavior and HDFS' efforts to increase prudently structured loan approvals to sub-prime borrowers, as well as actions that the Company has taken and could take that impact motorcycle values. Increases in the frequency of loss and decreases in

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the value of repossessed Harley-Davidson branded motorcycles also adversely impact credit losses. If there are adverse circumstances that involve a material decline in values of Harley-Davidson branded motorcycles, those circumstances or any related decline in resale values for Harley-Davidson branded motorcycles could contribute to increased delinquencies and credit losses.

The Company’s success depends upon the continued strength of the Harley-Davidson brand. The Company believes that the Harley-Davidson brand has significantly contributed to the success of its business and that maintaining and enhancing the brand is critical to expanding its customer base. Failure to protect the brand from infringers or to grow the value of the Harley-Davidson brand may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and results of operations.

The Company’s operations are dependent upon attracting and retaining skilled employees, including skilled labor, executive officers and other senior leaders. The Company’s future success depends on its continuing ability to identify, hire, develop, motivate, retain and promote skilled personnel for all areas of its organization, and to effectively execute reorganization actions within expected costs and realize the expected benefits of those actions. The Company’s current and future total compensation arrangements, which include benefits and incentive awards, may not be successful in attracting new employees and retaining and motivating the Company’s existing employees. In addition, the Company must cultivate and sustain a work environment where employees are engaged and energized in their jobs to maximize their performance, and the Company must effectively execute reorganization actions. If the Company does not succeed in attracting new personnel, retaining existing personnel, implementing effective succession plans and motivating and engaging personnel, including executive officers, the Company may be unable to develop and distribute products and services and effectively execute its plans and strategies.
 
The Company sells its products at wholesale and must rely on a network of independent dealers to manage the retail distribution of its products. The Company depends on the capability of its independent dealers to develop and implement effective retail sales plans to create demand among retail purchasers for the motorcycles and related products and services that the dealers purchase from the Company. If the Company’s independent dealers are not successful in these endeavors, then the Company will be unable to maintain or grow its revenues and meet its financial expectations. Further, independent dealers may experience difficulty in funding their day-to-day cash flow needs and paying their obligations resulting from adverse business conditions such as weakened retail sales and tightened credit. If dealers are unsuccessful, they may exit or be forced to exit the business or, in some cases, the Company may seek to terminate relationships with certain dealerships. As a result, the Company could face additional adverse consequences related to the termination of dealer relationships. Additionally, liquidating a former dealer’s inventory of new and used motorcycles can add downward pressure on new and used motorcycle prices. Further, the unplanned loss of any of the Company’s independent dealers may lead to inadequate market coverage for retail sales of new motorcycles and for servicing previously sold motorcycles, create negative impressions of the Company with its retail customers, and adversely impact the Company’s ability to collect wholesale receivables that are associated with that dealer.

The Company must invest in and successfully implement new information systems and technology. The Company is continually modifying and enhancing its systems and technology to increase productivity and efficiency and to mitigate failure risks from older/aged technologies currently in its portfolio. The Company has several large, strategic information system projects in process. As new systems and technologies (and related strategies) are implemented, the Company could experience unanticipated difficulties resulting in unexpected costs and adverse impacts to its manufacturing and other business processes. When implemented, the systems and technology may not provide the benefits anticipated and could add costs and complications to ongoing operations and older technologies may fail, which may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and results of operations. In the case of the Company's planned electronic vehicle services offering, these risks are heightened because these services are dependent on (1) the successful implementation of complex third-party cloud solutions, (2) the ability of a rider's motorcycle and mobile application to successfully connect to each other, and (3) the support of cellular carriers.

The Company must comply with governmental laws and regulations that are subject to change and involve significant costs. The Company’s sales and operations in areas outside the U.S. may be subject to foreign laws, regulations and the legal systems of foreign courts or tribunals. These laws and policies governing operations of foreign-based companies may result in increased costs or restrictions on the ability of the Company to sell its products in certain countries. U.S. laws and policies affecting foreign trade and taxation may also adversely affect the Company's international sales operations.

The Company’s domestic sales and operations are subject to governmental policies and regulatory actions of agencies of the United States Government, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), SEC, National Highway

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Traffic Safety Administration, Department of Labor and Federal Trade Commission. In addition, the Company’s sales and operations are also subject to laws and actions of state legislatures and other local regulators, including dealer statutes and licensing laws. Changes in regulations or the imposition of additional regulations may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and results of operations.
Tax - The Company is subject to income and non-income based taxes in the U.S. and in various foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining the Company's worldwide income tax liabilities and other tax liabilities including the impact of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (2017 Tax Act). The Company believes that it complies with applicable tax law. If the governing tax authorities have a different interpretation of the applicable law or if there is a change in tax law, the Company's financial condition and/or results of operations may be adversely affected. To the extent there are considerable changes to tax laws, the Company may need to readjust its tax strategy, and may not be able to take full advantage of such changes.
Environmental - The Company’s motorcycle products use internal combustion engines. These motorcycle products are subject to statutory and regulatory requirements governing emissions and noise, including standards imposed by the EPA, state regulatory agencies, such as the California Air Resources Board, and regulatory agencies in certain foreign countries where the Company’s motorcycle products are sold. The Company is also subject to statutory and regulatory requirements governing emissions and noise in the conduct of the Company’s manufacturing operations. Any significant change to the regulatory requirements governing emissions and noise may substantially increase the cost of manufacturing the Company’s products. If the Company fails to meet existing or new requirements, then the Company may be unable to sell certain products or may be subject to fines or penalties. Further, in response to concerns about global climate changes and related changes in consumer preferences, the Company may face greater regulatory or customer pressure to develop products that generate less emissions. This may require the Company to spend additional funds on research, product development, and implementation costs and subject the Company to the risk that the Company’s competitors may respond to these pressures in a manner that gives them a competitive advantage.
Financial Services - The Company’s financial services operations are governed by a wide range of foreign, federal and state laws that regulate financial and lending institutions, and financial services activities. In the U.S. for example, these laws include the federal Truth-in-Lending Act, Equal Credit Opportunity Act and Fair Credit Reporting Act. The financial services operations originate the majority of its consumer loans through its subsidiary, Eaglemark Savings Bank, a Nevada state thrift chartered as an industrial loan company. Federal and state bodies may in the future impose additional laws, regulation and supervision over the financial services industry.
Violations of, or non-compliance with, relevant laws and regulations may limit the ability of HDFS to collect all or part of the principal or interest on applicable loans, may entitle the borrower to rescind the loan or obtain a refund of amounts previously paid, could subject HDFS to payment of damages, civil fines, or criminal penalties and administrative sanctions and could limit the number of loans eligible for HDFS securitizations programs. Such regulatory requirements and associated supervision also could limit the discretion of HDFS in operating its business, such as through the suspension or revocation of any charter, license or registration at issue, as well as the imposition of administrative sanctions, including "cease and desist" orders. The Company cannot assure that the applicable laws or regulations will not be amended or construed in ways that are adverse to HDFS, that new laws and regulations will not be adopted in the future, or that laws and regulations will not attempt to limit the interest rates charged by HDFS, any of which may adversely affect the business of HDFS or its results of operations.
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act) is a sweeping piece of legislation impacting financial services and the full effect will not be fully known for years, as regulations that are intended to implement the Dodd-Frank Act are adopted, and the text of the Dodd-Frank Act is analyzed by stakeholders and possibly the courts. The Dodd-Frank Act also created the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (the Bureau). The Bureau has significant enforcement and rule-making authority in the area of consumer financial products and services. The direction that the Bureau will take, the regulations it will adopt, and its interpretation of existing laws and regulations are all elements that are not yet fully known. Compliance may be costly and could affect operating results as the implementation of new forms, processes, procedures and controls and infrastructure may be required. Compliance may create operational constraints and place limits on pricing. Failure to comply, as well as changes to laws and regulations, or the imposition of additional laws and regulations, could affect HDFS’ earnings, limit its access to capital, limit the number of loans eligible for HDFS securitization programs and have a material adverse effect on HDFS’ business and results of operations. The Bureau also has supervisory authority over certain non-bank larger participants in the vehicle financing market, which includes a non-bank subsidiary of HDFS, allowing the Bureau to conduct comprehensive and rigorous on-site examinations that could result in enforcement actions, fines, changes to processes and procedures, product-related changes or consumer refunds, or other actions.

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U.S. Public Company - The Company is also subject to policies and actions of the SEC and New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Many major competitors of the Company are not subject to the requirements of the SEC or the NYSE rules. As a result, the Company may be required to disclose certain information that may put the Company at a competitive disadvantage to its principal competitors.

Weather may impact retail sales by the Company's independent dealers. The Company has observed that abnormally cold and/or wet conditions in a region, including impacts from hurricanes or unusual storms, could have the effect of reducing demand or changing the timing for purchases of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Reduced demand for new Harley-Davidson motorcycles ultimately leads to reduced shipments by the Company.

The Company relies on third-party suppliers to obtain raw materials and provide component parts for use in the manufacture of its motorcycles. The Company may experience supply problems relating to raw materials and components such as unfavorable pricing, poor quality, or untimely delivery. In certain circumstances, the Company relies on a single supplier to provide the entire requirement of a specific part, and a change in this established supply relationship may cause disruption in the Company’s production schedule. In addition, the price and availability of raw materials and component parts from suppliers can be adversely affected by factors outside of the Company’s control such as the supply of a necessary raw material or natural disasters. Further, Company suppliers may experience difficulty in funding their day-to-day cash flow needs because of tightening credit caused by financial market disruption. In addition, adverse economic conditions and related pressure on select suppliers due to difficulties in the global manufacturing arena could adversely affect their ability to supply the Company. Changes in laws and policies relating to trade and taxation may also adversely impact the Company's foreign suppliers. These supplier risks may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and results of operations.

The Company’s Motorcycles segment is dependent upon unionized labor. Substantially all of the hourly production employees working in the Motorcycles segment are represented by unions and covered by collective bargaining agreements. Harley-Davidson Motor Company is currently a party to five collective bargaining agreements with local affiliates of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and the United Steelworkers of America. Current collective bargaining agreements with hourly employees in Missouri and Wisconsin will expire in 2019, and agreements with employees in Pennsylvania will expire in 2022. There is no certainty that the Company will be successful in negotiating new agreements with these unions that extend beyond the current expiration dates or that these new agreements will be on terms that will allow the Company to be competitive. The Company's decisions regarding opening, closing, expanding, contracting or restructuring its facilities may require changes to existing or new bargaining agreements. Failure to renew agreements when they expire or to establish new collective bargaining agreements on terms acceptable to the Company and the unions could result in the relocation of production facilities, work stoppages or other labor disruptions which may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and results of operations.

The ability of the Company to expand international sales may be impacted by existing or new laws and regulations that impose motorcycle licensing restrictions and limit access to roads and highways. Expanding international sales is a part of the Company’s long-term business strategy. A number of countries have tiered motorcycle licensing requirements that limit the ability of new and younger riders to obtain licenses to operate the Company’s motorcycles, and many countries are considering the implementation of such requirements. These requirements only allow new and/or younger riders to operate smaller motorcycles for certain periods of time. Riders typically are only permitted to obtain a license to ride larger motorcycles upon reaching certain ages and/or having been licensed to ride smaller motorcycles for a certain period of time, and only after passing additional tests and paying additional fees. These requirements pose obstacles to large displacement motorcycle ownership. Other countries have laws and regulations that prohibit motorcycles from being operated on certain roads and highways. These types of laws and regulations could adversely impact the Company’s plans to expand international sales.

The Company is and may in the future become subject to legal proceedings and commercial or contractual disputes. The uncertainty associated with substantial unresolved claims and lawsuits may harm the Company’s business, financial condition, reputation and brand. The defense of the lawsuits may result in the expenditures of significant financial resources and the diversion of management’s time and attention away from business operations. In addition, although the Company is unable to determine the amount, if any, that it may be required to pay in connection with the resolution of the lawsuits by settlement or otherwise, any such payment may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and results of operations. Refer to the Company’s disclosures concerning legal proceedings in this Form 10-K and in the other periodic reports that the Company files with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for additional detail regarding lawsuits and other claims against the Company.

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The Company, its suppliers, and its independent dealers must successfully accommodate a seasonal retail motorcycle sales pattern. The Company records the wholesale sale of a motorcycle when it is shipped to the Company’s independent dealers. The Company's flexible production capability allows it to more closely correlate motorcycle production and wholesale shipments with the retail selling season. Any difficulties in executing flexible production could result in lost production or sales. The Company, its suppliers, and its independent dealers must be able to successfully manage changes in production rates, inventory levels and other business processes associated with flexible production. Failure by the Company, its suppliers, or its independent dealers to make such adjustments may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and results of operations.

The Financial Services operations rely on external sources to finance a significant portion of its operations. Liquidity is essential to the Company’s Financial Services business. Disruptions in financial markets may cause lenders and institutional investors to reduce or cease to loan money to borrowers, including financial institutions. The Company’s Financial Services operations may be negatively affected by difficulty in raising capital in the long-term and short-term capital markets. These negative consequences may in turn adversely affect the Company’s business and results of operations in various ways, including through higher costs of capital, reduced funds available through its financial services operations to provide loans to independent dealers and their retail customers, and dilution to existing share value through the use of alternative sources of capital.

The Financial Services operations are highly dependent on accessing capital markets to fund their operations at competitive interest rates, the Company’s access to capital and its cost of capital are highly dependent upon its credit ratings, and any negative credit rating actions will adversely affect its earnings and results of operations. The ability of the Company and its Financial Services operations to access unsecured capital markets is influenced by their short-term and long-term credit ratings. If the Company’s credit ratings are downgraded or its ratings outlook is negatively changed, the Company’s cost of borrowing could increase, resulting in reduced earnings and interest margins, or the Company’s access to capital may be disrupted or impaired. The Company borrowed $750,000,000 in 2015 to fund the repurchase of its Common Stock, which increased the Company's leverage. Having increased leverage increases the risk of a downgrade in the Company's credit ratings.

The Company incurs substantial costs with respect to employee pension and healthcare benefits. The Company’s cash funding requirements and its estimates of liabilities and expenses for pensions and healthcare benefits for both active and retired employees are based on several factors that are outside the Company’s control. These factors include funding requirements of the Pension Protection Act of 2006, the rate used to discount the future estimated liability, the rate of return on plan assets, current and projected healthcare costs, healthcare reform or legislation, retirement age and mortality. Changes in these factors can impact the expense, liabilities and cash requirements associated with these benefits which could have a material adverse effect on future results of operations, liquidity or shareholders’ equity. In addition, costs associated with these benefits put the Company under significant cost pressure as compared to its competitors that may not bear the costs of similar benefit plans. Furthermore, costs associated with complying with the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act may produce additional cost pressure on the Company and its health care plans.

The Company must maintain stakeholder confidence in its operating ethics and corporate governance practices. The Company believes it has a history of good corporate governance and operating ethics. The Company has a Code of Business Conduct that defines how employees interact with various Company stakeholders and addresses issues such as confidentiality, conflict of interest and fair dealing. Failure to maintain its reputation for good corporate governance and strong operating ethics may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and results of operations.

The Company’s operations may be affected by greenhouse emissions and climate change and related regulations. Climate change is receiving increasing attention worldwide. Many scientists, legislators and others attribute climate change to increased levels of greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, which has led to significant legislative and regulatory efforts to limit greenhouse gas emissions. Congress has previously considered and may in the future implement restrictions on greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, several states, including states where the Company has manufacturing plants, have previously considered and may in the future implement greenhouse gas registration and reduction programs. Energy security and availability and its related costs affect all aspects of the Company’s manufacturing operations in the United States, including the Company’s supply chain. The Company’s manufacturing plants use energy, including electricity and natural gas, and certain of the Company’s plants emit amounts of greenhouse gas that may be affected by these legislative and regulatory efforts. Greenhouse gas regulation could increase the price of the electricity the Company purchases, increase costs for use of natural gas, potentially

17



restrict access to or the use of natural gas, require the Company to purchase allowances to offset the Company’s own emissions or result in an overall increase in costs of raw materials, any one of which could increase the Company’s costs, reduce competitiveness in a global economy or otherwise negatively affect the Company’s business, operations or financial results. Many of the Company’s suppliers face similar circumstances. Physical risks to the Company’s business operations as identified by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and other expert bodies include scenarios such as sea level rise, extreme weather conditions and resource shortages. Extreme weather may disrupt the production and supply of component parts or other items such as natural gas, a fuel necessary for the manufacture of motorcycles and their components. Supply disruptions would raise market rates and jeopardize the continuity of motorcycle production.

Regulations related to materials that the Company purchases to use in its products could cause the Company to incur additional expenses and may have other adverse consequences. Laws or regulations impacting our supply chain, such as the UK Modern Slavery Act, could affect the sourcing and availability of some of the raw materials that the Company uses in the manufacturing of its products. The Company's supply chain is complex, and if it is not able to fully understand its supply chain, then the Company may face reputational challenges with customers, investors or others. For example, many countries in which the Company distributes its products are beginning to introduce regulations that require knowledge and disclosure of virtually all materials and chemicals in the Company’s products. Accordingly, the Company could incur significant costs related to the process of complying with these laws, including potential difficulty or added costs in satisfying the disclosure requirements.

The Company relies on third parties to perform certain operating and administrative functions for the Company. Similar to suppliers of raw materials and components, the Company may experience problems with outsourced services, such as unfavorable pricing, untimely delivery of services, or poor quality. Also, these suppliers may experience adverse economic conditions due to difficulties in the global economy that could lead to difficulties supporting the Company's operations. In light of the amount and types of functions that the Company has outsourced, these service provider risks may have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and results of operations.
The Company disclaims any obligation to update these Risk Factors or any other forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation (and specifically disclaims any such obligation) to update these Risk Factors or any other forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or other factors affecting such forward-looking statements. 
Item 1B.     Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 2.    Properties
The following is a summary of the principal operating properties of the Company as of December 31, 2018:
Motorcycles and Related Products Segment
Type of Facility
 
Location
 
Approximate
Square Feet
 
Status
Corporate Office
 
Milwaukee, WI
 
515,000

 
Owned
Museum
 
Milwaukee, WI
 
130,000

 
Owned
Manufacturing(1)
 
Menomonee Falls, WI
 
915,000

 
Owned
Product Development Center
 
Wauwatosa, WI
 
409,000

 
Owned
Manufacturing(2)
 
Tomahawk, WI
 
226,000

 
Owned
Manufacturing(3)
 
York, PA
 
571,000

 
Owned
Manufacturing(4)
 
Kansas City, MO
 
456,000

 
Owned
Manufacturing(5)
 
Rayong, Thailand
 
220,000

 
Owned
Manufacturing(6)
 
Manaus, Brazil
 
108,000

 
Lease expiring 2019
Regional Office
 
Oxford, England
 
39,000

 
Lease expiring 2022
Manufacturing(7)
 
Bawal, India
 
68,000

 
Lease expiring 2019
Regional Office
 
Singapore
 
24,000

 
Lease expiring 2020
Manufacturing(8)
 
Adelaide, Australia
 
485,000

 
Lease expiring 2019

18




(1)
Motorcycle powertrain production.
(2)
Plastic parts production and painting.
(3)
Motorcycle parts fabrication, painting and Softail® and touring model assembly.
(4)
Motorcycle parts fabrication, painting and Dyna®, Sportster®, Softail® and Street platform assembly. The Kansas City plant will be closed in 2019 in the course of the Company's manufacturing optimization plan.
(5)
Production of select models for certain Asian markets.
(6)
Assembly of select models for the Brazilian market.
(7)
Assembly of select models for the Indian market and production of the Street platform for non-North American markets.
(8)
Motorcycle wheel production. The Adelaide plant will be closed in 2019 in the course of the Company's manufacturing optimization plan.
Financial Services Segment 
Type of Facility
 
Location
 
Approximate
Square Feet
 
Status
Office(1)
 
Chicago, IL
 
26,000

 
Lease expiring 2022
Office(2)
 
Plano, TX
 
69,000

 
Lease expiring 2025
Office(3)
 
Carson City, NV
 
100,000

 
Owned
(1)
Corporate headquarters
(2)
Wholesale and retail operations
(3)
Retail operations
Item 3.    Legal Proceedings
The Company is subject to lawsuits and other claims related to environmental, product and other matters. In determining costs to accrue related to these items, the Company carefully analyzes cases and considers the likelihood of adverse judgments or outcomes, as well as the potential range of possible loss. Any amounts accrued for these matters are monitored on an ongoing basis and are updated based on new developments or new information as it becomes available for each matter.
Environmental Protection Agency Notice:
In December 2009, the Company received formal, written requests for information from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding: (i) certificates of conformity for motorcycle emissions and related designations and labels, (ii) aftermarket parts, and (iii) warranty claims on emissions related components. The Company promptly submitted written responses to the EPA’s inquiry and has engaged in information exchanges and discussions with the EPA. In August 2016, the Company entered into a consent decree with the EPA regarding these issues, and the consent decree was subsequently revised in July 2017 (the Settlement). In the Settlement, the Company agreed to, among other things, pay a fine, and not sell tuning products unless they are approved by the EPA or California Air Resources Board. In December 2017, the EPA filed the Settlement with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia for the purpose of obtaining court approval of the Settlement. Three amicus briefs opposing portions of the Settlement were filed with the court by the deadline of January 31, 2018. On March 1, 2018, the Company and the EPA each filed separate response briefs. The Company is awaiting the court's decision on whether or not to finalize the Settlement. The Company has an accrual associated with this matter which is included in accrued liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets, and as a result, if it is finalized, the Settlement would not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition or results of operations. The Settlement is not final until it is approved by the court, and if it is not approved by the court, the Company cannot reasonably estimate the impact of any remedies the EPA might seek beyond the Company's current reserve for this matter.
York Environmental Matters:
The Company is involved with government agencies and groups of potentially responsible parties related to a matter involving the cleanup of soil and groundwater contamination at its York, Pennsylvania facility. The York facility was formerly used by the U.S. Navy and AMF prior to the purchase of the York facility by the Company from AMF in 1981. The Company has been working with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) since 1986 and with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in undertaking environmental investigation and remediation activities, including a site-wide remedial investigation/feasibility study (RI/FS).
In January 1995, the Company entered into a settlement agreement (the Agreement) with the Navy, and the parties amended the Agreement in 2013 to address ordnance and explosive waste. The Agreement calls for the Navy and the Company to contribute amounts into a trust equal to 53% and 47%, respectively, of costs associated with environmental investigation and

19



remediation activities at the York facility (Response Costs). The trust administers the payment of the Response Costs incurred at the York facility as covered by the Agreement.
The Company has an accrual for its estimate of its share of the future Response Costs at the York facility which is included in other long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. While the work on the RI/FS is now complete and the final remedy was proposed in late 2018, it has not yet been approved, and given the uncertainty that exists concerning the nature and scope of additional environmental remediation that may ultimately be required under the approved final remedy, the Company is unable to make a reasonable estimate of those additional costs, if any, that may result.
The estimate of the Company's future Response Costs that will be incurred at the York facility is based on reports of independent environmental consultants retained by the Company, the actual costs incurred to date, and the estimated costs to complete the necessary investigation and remediation activities.
Product Liability Matters:
The Company is involved in product liability suits related to the operation of its business. The Company accrues for claim exposures that are probable of occurrence and can be reasonably estimated. The Company also maintains insurance coverage for product liability exposures. The Company believes that its accruals and insurance coverage are adequate and that product liability suits will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Item 4.    Mine Safety Disclosures    
Not Applicable
PART II 
Item 5.
Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Harley-Davidson, Inc. common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. under the trading symbol HOG.
As of February 1, 2019, there were 70,327 shareholders of record of Harley-Davidson, Inc. common stock.
The Company’s share repurchases include discretionary share repurchases and shares of common stock that employees surrendered to satisfy withholding taxes in connection with the vesting of restricted stock awards. The following table contains detail related to the Company's repurchase of its common stock based on the date of trade during the quarter ended December 31, 2018:
2018 Fiscal Month
 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
 
Average Price
Paid per Share
 
Total Number of Shares
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs
 
Maximum Number of
Shares that May Yet Be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs
October 1 to November 4
 
1,951,787

 
$
40

 
1,951,787

 
19,363,944

November 5 to December 2
 
2,129,526

 
$
41

 
2,129,526

 
17,234,544

December 3 to December 31
 
824,477

 
$
36

 
824,477

 
16,410,310

Total
 
4,905,790

 
$
40

 
4,905,790

 
 
In February 2016, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to 20.0 million shares of its common stock with no dollar limit or expiration date. In February 2018, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to 15.0 million additional shares of its common stock with no dollar limit or expiration date. As of December 31, 2018, 16.4 million shares remained under these authorizations.
Under the share repurchase authorizations, the Company’s common stock may be purchased through any one or more of a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan and discretionary purchases on the open market, block trades, accelerated share repurchases or privately negotiated transactions. The number of shares repurchased, if any, and the timing of repurchases will depend on a number of factors, including share price, trading volume and general market conditions, as well as on working capital requirements, general business conditions and other factors. The repurchase authority has no expiration date but may be suspended, modified or discontinued at any time.
The Harley-Davidson, Inc. 2014 Incentive Stock Plan and predecessor stock plans permit participants to satisfy all or a portion of the statutory federal, state and local withholding tax obligations arising in connection with plan awards by electing to (a) have the Company withhold shares otherwise issuable under the award, (b) tender back shares received in connection with

20



such award or (c) deliver other previously owned shares, in each case having a value equal to the amount to be withheld. During the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company acquired 9,602 shares of common stock that employees presented to the Company to satisfy withholding taxes in connection with the vesting of restricted stock awards.
Item 12 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K contains certain information relating to the Company’s equity compensation plans.
The following information in this Item 5 is not deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the SEC or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates it by reference into such a filing: the SEC requires the Company to include a line graph presentation comparing cumulative five year Common Stock returns with a broad-based stock index and either a nationally recognized industry index or an index of peer companies selected by the Company. The Company has chosen to use the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index as the broad-based index and the Standard & Poor’s MidCap 400 Index as a more specific comparison. The Standard & Poor’s MidCap 400 Index was chosen because the Company does not believe that any other published industry or line-of-business index adequately represents the current operations of the Company. The graph assumes a beginning investment of $100 on December 31, 2013 and that all dividends are reinvested.
hog12-31x201_chartx27395a05.jpg
 
 
2013 ($)
 
2014 ($)
 
2015 ($)
 
2016 ($)
 
2017 ($)
 
2018 ($)
Harley-Davidson, Inc.
 
100

 
97

 
68

 
90

 
81

 
56

Standard & Poor’s MidCap 400 Index
 
100

 
108

 
104

 
126

 
146

 
130

Standard & Poor’s 500 Index
 
100

 
114

 
115

 
129

 
157

 
150


21



 Item 6.     Selected Financial Data
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
 
2018
 
2017
 
2016
 
2015
 
2014
Statement of income data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenue:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Motorcycles and Related Products
 
$
4,968,646

 
$
4,915,027

 
$
5,271,376

 
$
5,308,744

 
$
5,567,681

Financial Services
 
748,229

 
732,197

 
725,082

 
686,658

 
660,827

Total revenue
 
$
5,716,875

 
$
5,647,224

 
$
5,996,458

 
$
5,995,402

 
$
6,228,508

Net income
 
$
531,451

 
$
521,759

 
$
692,164

 
$
752,207

 
$
844,611

Weighted-average common shares:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
165,672

 
171,995

 
179,676

 
202,681

 
216,305

Diluted
 
166,504

 
172,932

 
180,535

 
203,686

 
217,706

Earnings per common share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
$
3.21

 
$
3.03

 
$
3.85

 
$
3.71

 
$
3.90

Diluted
 
$
3.19

 
$
3.02

 
$
3.83

 
$
3.69

 
$
3.88

Dividends paid per common share
 
$
1.48

 
$
1.46

 
$
1.40

 
$
1.24

 
$
1.10

Balance sheet data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets(a)
 
$
10,665,664

 
$
9,972,672

 
$
9,890,240

 
$
9,972,977

 
$
9,515,870

Total debt(a)
 
$
7,599,276

 
$
6,988,009

 
$
6,807,567

 
$
6,872,198

 
$
5,492,402

Total equity(b)
 
$
1,773,949

 
$
1,844,277

 
$
1,920,158

 
$
1,839,654

 
$
2,909,286

 
(a)
The Company adopted ASU No. 2015-03 and ASU No. 2015-15 on January 1, 2016. Upon adoption, the Company reclassified debt issuance cost, other than debt issuance costs related to line of credit arrangements (which include its asset-backed commercial paper and commercial paper programs and its credit facilities), from other assets to debt.
(b)
The Company adopted ASU No. 2014-09 on January 1, 2018. Upon adoption, the Company recorded a net increase to the opening balance of retained earnings of $6.0 million, net of income taxes, to recognize the cumulative effect of the adoption.


22



Item 7.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company of the groups of companies doing business as Harley-Davidson Motor Company (HDMC) and Harley-Davidson Financial Services (HDFS). Unless the context otherwise requires, all references to the "Company" include Harley-Davidson, Inc. and all its subsidiaries. The Company operates in two reportable segments: Motorcycles and Related Products (Motorcycles) and Financial Services.
The “% Change” figures included in the “Results of Operations” section were calculated using unrounded dollar amounts and may differ from calculations using the rounded dollar amounts presented. 

(1) Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The Company intends that certain matters discussed in this report are “forward-looking statements” intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can generally be identified as such by reference to this footnote or because the context of the statement will include words such as the Company “believes”, “anticipates”, “expects”, “plans”, or “estimates” or words of similar meaning. Similarly, statements that describe future plans, objectives, outlooks, targets, guidance or goals are also forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, unfavorably or favorably, from those anticipated as of the date of this report. Certain of such risks and uncertainties are described in close proximity to such statements or elsewhere in this report, including under the caption “Risk Factors” in Item 1A and under “Cautionary Statements” in Item 7 of this report. Shareholders, potential investors, and other readers are urged to consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements and cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in the Outlook section are only made as of January 29, 2019 and the remaining forward-looking statements in this report are only made as of the date of the filing of this report (February 28, 2019), and the Company disclaims any obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.
Overview(1) 
The Company’s net income for 2018 was $531.5 million, or $3.19 per diluted share, compared to $521.8 million, or $3.02 per diluted share, in 2017.
Operating income from the Motorcycles segment in 2018 was down $184.4 million compared to 2017 due primarily to lower wholesale motorcycle shipments and higher costs related to the impact of incremental tariffs, increased metals costs, voluntary recalls and restructuring activities.
During 2018, incremental European Union and China tariffs were imposed on the Company's products shipped from the U.S., as well as U.S. incremental tariffs on certain items imported from certain international markets. The European Union tariffs on Harley-Davidson motorcycles exported from the U.S. increased from 6% to 31% effective June 22, 2018. By their current terms, these tariffs are scheduled to increase to 56% effective June 1, 2021. The China tariffs on Harley-Davidson products exported from the U.S. increased from 30% to 55%, effective August 23, 2018, and are set to remain in place indefinitely. The Company also experienced increased costs for metals resulting from U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs, but the Company does not refer to these costs as part of incremental tariffs.
Operating income from the Financial Services segment in 2018 was up $15.9 million or 5.8% compared to prior year, primarily due to higher revenues and a lower provision for credit losses.
The overall decline in the Company's consolidated operating income during 2018 was more than offset by lower income tax expense which decreased $186.9 million in 2018 primarily due to the favorable impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (2017 Tax Act) enacted in December 2017.
Worldwide independent dealer retail sales of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles decreased 6.1% in 2018 compared to the prior year. U.S. retail sales fell 10.2% on continued weakness in the U.S. industry which declined 8.7% for the same period. Retail sales in international markets increased 0.4% compared to 2017.
    
The Company expects the U.S. industry to remain challenged into 2019 and will continue to address these weak conditions. In the near-term, the Company is introducing exciting new products and adding innovation that customers value on its new motorcycles. The Company will continue to aggressively manage supply and execute marketing efforts to encourage motorcycle trials and increase the conversion of these trials into sales. The Company is also working to accelerate its strategy to build the next generation of Harley-Davidson riders through 2022 through its More Roads to Harley-Davidson (More Roads) plan. During 2018, it met or exceeded all of the More Roads plan milestones. The Company believes its More Roads plan is

23



designed to build the proper foundation and drive the right fundamentals to help steer the U.S. industry back to health and drive significant growth across international markets. The Company ended 2018 with over 52,000 more Harley-Davidson riders in the U.S compared to prior year (Source: IHS Markit Motorcycles in Operation (MIO) data for On-Highway and Dual Purpose bikes in the U.S. as of Jan 1, 2019 compared to previous years of MIO back to 2002).

Outlook(1)
On January 29, 2019 the Company announced the following expectations for 2019.

The Company expects the U.S. industry to continue to decline in 2019, but at a more tempered pace than in 2018. The Company expects international retail sales growth during 2019. As a result, in 2019, the Company expects to ship between 217,000 and 222,000 motorcycles to dealers which is down approximately 3% to 5% from 2018.

During 2019, the Company expects retail sales to be positively impacted by:

Focused investment in its strategy to increase global ridership and strengthen its dealer network,
Model year 2019 and 2020 motorcycles, and
Continued expansion of the international dealer network.

However, it expects these positive impacts to be more than offset by strong headwinds, including:

A weak U.S. industry for new motorcycle sales,
A shift in U.S. rider preference toward smaller motorcycles, and
A marketplace crowded with highly competitive promotions, incentives and discounts.

In 2019, the Company will continue to aggressively manage supply in line with demand, and the Company expects year-end U.S. dealer inventory of new motorcycles to be down compared to 2018.

The Company expects Motorcycles segment gross margin as a percent of revenue to be lower than 2018 driven by a significant increase in incremental tariffs, lower shipment volumes and unfavorable product mix, partially offset by aggressive cost reductions, including the benefit of $25 million to $30 million of savings from the Company's Manufacturing Optimization plan. Refer to "Restructuring Plan Costs and Savings" below for further information regarding the Manufacturing Optimization Plan.

Incremental tariffs include incremental European Union and China tariffs imposed on the Company's products shipped from the U.S., as well as incremental U.S. tariffs on certain items imported from certain international markets. Incremental tariff costs exclude metals cost resulting from the U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs, although the Company does expect higher metals cost which are included in the 2019 gross margin guidance above.

The Company's plant in Thailand came on-line in the third quarter of 2018. As previously disclosed with the announcement of this project in 2017, the Company intends to utilize the Thailand facility to make more of the Company's products accessible to customers in targeted international markets. The Company intends those markets to include China, and certain Asian and European Union markets. The Company is currently making investments to increase that facility’s capacity to serve those markets.

As previously disclosed, Harley-Davidson expects the impact of incremental tariff costs to be approximately $100 million to $120 million in 2019. While Harley-Davidson’s preference has always been to serve the EU market from its U.S. manufacturing operations, the Company previously disclosed plans to mitigate the impact of the incremental European Union and China tariffs by the end of 2019 by serving those markets with motorcycles from its Thailand operations.

The Company is pursuing regulatory approval in the European Union to that end; however, approval is not guaranteed. As a result, the Company is considering multiple other options to serve the EU market should they be required. These other options to serve the EU market would most likely not mitigate the full impact of the current incremental European Union tariff by the end of 2019.

The Company remains active in support of efforts to eliminate all tariffs imposed on motorcycles delivered from its U.S. manufacturing operations.



24



The Company expects selling, administrative and engineering expenses for the Motorcycles segment to be lower in 2019 behind aggressive cost management and lower recall costs. For 2019, the Company has reallocated a substantial amount of spending to invest in its More Roads plan to drive future growth.

For 2019, the Motorcycles segment operating margin as a percent of revenue is expected to be between 8.0% and 9.0%. Based on its current plans, the Company expects Motorcycles segment operating income in 2020 to improve by approximately $170 to $200 million compared to 2019. This expectation assumes that the Company will complete its Manufacturing Optimization Plan and successfully execute its plan to mitigate the impact of incremental tariffs by the end of 2019.

The Company expects Financial Services operating income in 2019 to be down compared to 2018 driven by a higher cost of debt and higher depreciation associated with its 2018 investment in a new loan management system which went into service in January 2019.

Capital expenditures in 2019 are expected to be $225 million to $245 million, which includes approximately $20 million to support the Manufacturing Optimization Plan. The Company anticipates it will have the ability to fund all capital expenditures in 2019 with cash flows generated by operations.

The Company expects its 2019 full year effective tax rate will be approximately 24% to 25%. This guidance excludes the effect of potential future adjustments, including items associated with any potential new tax legislation or audit settlements.
    
In the first quarter of 2019, the Company expects to ship between 53,000 and 58,000 motorcycles, which is down approximately 9% to 17% compared to the first quarter of 2018. Motorcycles segment operating margin as a percent of revenue is expected to be down approximately 6 percentage points compared to the first quarter of 2018. The Company expects results in the first quarter of 2019 to be adversely impacted by incremental tariffs, unfavorable product mix, a higher fixed cost per unit on lower production and shipments and unfavorable foreign currency, partially offset by lower restructuring costs.
    
The 2019 first quarter shipment guidance reflects the impact of a brake recall on the Company's Street motorcycles recorded in the fourth quarter of 2018. The Company expects that limited parts availability for repairing the impacted Street motorcycles will adversely impact retail sales in the first quarter of 2019 by approximately 2,500 motorcycles, primarily in international markets. The Company does not believe that the recall will have a meaningful impact on 2019 full-year retail sales.

Restructuring Plan Costs and Savings(1) 

In January 2018, the Company commenced a significant, multi-year Manufacturing Optimization Plan anchored by the consolidation of its final assembly plant in Kansas City, Missouri into its plant in York, Pennsylvania by mid-2019. As the operations are consolidated, the Company expects approximately 800 jobs will be eliminated with the closure of Kansas City operations and approximately 450 jobs will be added in York through 2019 (Manufacturing Optimization Plan). As part of the Manufacturing Optimization Plan, the Company will also close its wheel operations in Adelaide, Australia resulting in the elimination of approximately 90 jobs.

In November 2018, the Company implemented a workforce reorganization plan (Reorganization Plan). As a result, approximately 70 employees left the Company on an involuntary basis.

25




The following table summarizes the expected costs and savings associated with these restructuring plans.
(in millions)
2018 Actual
 
2019 Estimated
 
2020 Estimated
 
Total
Manufacturing Optimization Plan
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost related to temporary inefficiencies
$ 12.9
 
$10 - $15
 
n/a
 
$ 23 - $ 28
Restructuring expenses
$ 89.5
 
$40 - $45
 
n/a
 
$129 - $134
 
$102.4
 
$50 - $60
 
 
 
$152 - $162
% cash
70%
 
70%
 
 
 
70%
Reorganization Plan - restructuring expenses
$3.9
 
$1
 
 
 
$5
% cash
100%
 
100%
 
 
 
100%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Annual cash savings
 
 
2019 Estimated
 
2020 Estimated
 
Annual
Ongoing
Manufacturing Optimization Plan
 
 
$25 - $30
 
$45 - $50
 
$65 - $75
Reorganization Plan
 
 
$7
 
$7
 
$7
The current Manufacturing Optimization Plan cost estimate has been revised down from the most recent estimate by $3 million and $23 million at the low and high ends of the range, respectively. In the first quarter of 2019, the Company expects Manufacturing Optimization Plan costs of approximately $20 million.
The Company expects restructuring expenses for the Manufacturing Optimization Plan to include the cost of employee termination benefits, accelerated depreciation, and other project implementation costs of $40 million to $41 million, $51 million to $53 million, and $38 million to $40 million, respectively. Restructuring expenses for the Reorganization Plan will consist of the cost of employee termination benefits. The timing of cash payments for restructuring costs may not occur in the same fiscal period that the Company records the expense. Refer to Note 3 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information concerning restructuring expenses.
The Company expects total capital expenditures of $65 million associated with the Manufacturing Optimization Plan through 2019, including $20 million in 2019. This is a decrease from the Company's most recent expectation of $75 million in capital expenditures.

Results of Operations 2018 Compared to 2017
Consolidated Results 
(in thousands, except earnings per share)
 
2018
 
2017
 
(Decrease)
Increase
 
%
Change
Operating income from Motorcycles and Related Products
 
$
422,363

 
$
606,776

 
$
(184,413
)
 
(30.4
)%
Operating income from Financial Services
 
291,160

 
275,305

 
15,855

 
5.8

Operating income
 
713,523

 
882,081

 
(168,558
)
 
(19.1
)
Other income (expense), net
 
3,039

 
9,182

 
(6,143
)
 
(66.9
)
Investment income
 
951

 
3,580

 
(2,629
)
 
(73.4
)
Interest expense
 
30,884

 
31,004

 
(120
)
 
(0.4
)
Income before provision for income taxes
 
686,629

 
863,839

 
(177,210
)
 
(20.5
)
Provision for income taxes
 
155,178

 
342,080

 
(186,902
)
 
(54.6
)
Net income
 
$
531,451

 
$
521,759

 
$
9,692

 
1.9
 %
Diluted earnings per share
 
$
3.19

 
$
3.02

 
$
0.17

 
5.6
 %
Consolidated operating income was down 19.1% in 2018 driven by a decrease in operating income from the Motorcycles segment which was down $184.4 million compared to 2017. Operating income for the Financial Services segment increased by $15.9 million during 2018 as compared to 2017. Please refer to the “Motorcycles and Related Products Segment” and “Financial Services Segment” discussions following for a more detailed discussion of the factors affecting operating income.


26



Other income in 2018 was adversely impacted by higher amortization of actuarial losses following a 2018 first quarter remeasurement of the assets and obligations of the Company's qualified pension plan. Investment income was lower due to unfavorable changes in the fair value of marketable securities.
The effective income tax rate for 2018 was 22.6% compared to 39.6% for 2017. The lower effective income tax rate was primarily due to the impact of the 2017 Tax Act. The 2017 Tax Act reduced the federal corporate income tax rate beginning in 2018 from 35% to 21%. In addition, because the 2017 Tax Act was enacted in 2017, the Company was required to remeasure its net deferred tax assets in 2017. The impact of remeasuring the deferred tax asset balances combined with other adjustments related to the enactment of the 2017 Tax Act resulted in a non-cash income tax charge of $53.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2017.
Diluted earnings per share were $3.19 in 2018, up 5.6% compared to 2017. Diluted earnings per share were positively impacted by the 1.9% increase in net income and also benefited from lower diluted weighted average shares outstanding. Diluted weighted average shares outstanding decreased from 172.9 million in 2017 to 166.5 million in 2018 driven by the Company's repurchases of common stock. Please refer to "Liquidity and Capital Resources" for additional information concerning the Company's share repurchase activity.
Motorcycle Retail Sales and Registration Data
Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Retail Sales(a) 
The following table includes retail unit sales of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles:
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
(Decrease)
Increase
 
%
Change
United States
 
132,868

 
147,972

 
(15,104
)
 
(10.2
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Europe(b)
 
41,179

 
39,773

 
1,406

 
3.5

EMEA - Other
 
5,423

 
5,162

 
261

 
5.1

      Total EMEA
 
46,602

 
44,935

 
1,667

 
3.7

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asia Pacific(c)
 
18,429

 
21,393

 
(2,964
)
 
(13.9
)
Asia Pacific - Other
 
10,295

 
8,955

 
1,340

 
15.0

Total Asia Pacific
 
28,724

 
30,348

 
(1,624
)
 
(5.4
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Latin America
 
10,167

 
9,452

 
715

 
7.6

Canada
 
9,690

 
10,081

 
(391
)
 
(3.9
)
     Total International Retail Sales
 
95,183

 
94,816

 
367

 
0.4

     Total Worldwide Retail Sales
 
228,051

 
242,788

 
(14,737
)
 
(6.1
)%
 
(a)
Data source for retail sales figures shown above is new sales warranty and registration information provided by Harley-Davidson dealers and compiled by the Company. The Company must rely on information that its dealers supply concerning new retail sales, and the Company does not regularly verify the information that its dealers supply. This information is subject to revision.
(b)
Includes Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
(c)
Includes Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Korea. Prior period Asia Pacific retail sales have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

Retail sales of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the U.S. were down 10.2% in 2018. Overall, U.S. retail sales of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles were adversely impacted by the continued weak U.S. industry, which was down 8.7% compared to 2017. The Company believes that sales of new motorcycles continued to be adversely impacted by soft used motorcycle prices and a shift in rider preferences toward smaller displacement motorcycles.

Prices for used Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the U.S. remained at near historical low levels compared to new; however, the Company is encouraged by positive momentum in used motorcycle pricing. During 2018, third-party pricing services continued to publish higher retail values year-over-year for used Harley-Davidson motorcycles. Wholesale prices of

27



used Harley-Davidson motorcycles at auction were also up during most of 2018 before falling slightly below year-ago levels in the fourth quarter. Additionally, for the sixth consecutive quarter, prices of used Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the Company's dealer network were higher in the fourth quarter of 2018 than the prior year quarter.

Retail sales of used Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the U.S. were up through November 2018 compared to the prior year. Additionally, the share of combined new and used motorcycle registrations in the U.S. attributable to Harley-Davidson motorcycles was up in 2018 through November and has been up for the last 9 consecutive years. (Source for data regarding used motorcycle sales: IHS Markit Used Registrations for On-Highway and Dual Purpose motorcycles with engines 601+cc in the U.S. from 2008 through November 2018). While the Company does not benefit directly from sales of used motorcycles, the Company believes used motorcycle sales are an indicator of brand health and provide prospects for future new motorcycle sales.

The Company's U.S. market share of new 601+cc motorcycles for 2018 was 49.7%, down 1.0 percentage points compared to 2017 (Source: Motorcycle Industry Council). The Company's U.S. market share reflects the adverse impact of a highly competitive marketplace and relatively strong growth in segments in which the Company does not currently compete. In the segments in which the Company does compete (Touring and Cruiser), which represent approximately 70% of the 601+cc market, the Company's market share was up 0.8 percentage points on a full-year basis.

International retail sales of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles were up 0.4% in 2018. Retail sales in emerging markets were up 9.8% partially offset by lower retail sales in developed markets, which declined 2.7% during 2018. In developed markets, retail sales grew in western Europe; however, retail sales in Japan and Australia were down behind contracting industry sales and competitive new product introductions in segments outside of the Touring and Cruiser segments. Retail sales in Canada were also down 3.9% in 2018.

The Company continued to expand its international dealer network during 2018, opening 56 new dealers during the year. The Company remains confident in and committed to the significant potential that international markets offer to Harley-Davidson. The Company believes it has the brand, products and distribution to drive sustainable growth in international markets.(1) 
Motorcycle Registration Data - 601+cc(a) 
The following table includes industry retail motorcycle registration data: 
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
(Decrease)
Increase
 
%
Change
United States(b)
 
263,750

 
288,802

 
(25,052
)
 
(8.7
)%
Europe(c)
 
397,669

 
390,619

 
7,050

 
1.8
 %

(a)
Data includes on-road 601+cc models. On-road 601+cc models include dual purpose models, three-wheeled motorcycles and autocycles. Registration data for Harley-Davidson Street® 500 motorcycles is not included in this table.
(b)
United States industry data is derived from information provided by Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC). This third-party data is subject to revision and update.
(c)
Europe data includes Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Industry retail motorcycle registration data includes 601+cc models derived from information provided by Association des Constructeurs Europeens de Motocycles (ACEM), an independent agency. This third-party data is subject to revision and update.


28



Motorcycles and Related Products Segment
Motorcycle Unit Shipments
The following table includes wholesale motorcycle unit shipments for the Motorcycles segment: 
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
Unit
 
Unit
 
 
Units
 
Mix %
 
Units
 
Mix %
 
(Decrease)
Increase
 
%
Change
United States
 
132,433

 
57.9
%
 
144,893

 
60.0
%
 
(12,460
)
 
(8.6
)%
International
 
96,232

 
42.1
%
 
96,605

 
40.0
%
 
(373
)
 
(0.4
)
Harley-Davidson motorcycle units
 
228,665

 
100.0
%
 
241,498

 
100.0
%
 
(12,833
)
 
(5.3
)%
Touring motorcycle units
 
101,942

 
44.6
%
 
99,745

 
41.3
%
 
2,197

 
2.2
 %
Cruiser motorcycle units
 
78,529

 
34.3
%
 
87,344

 
36.2
%
 
(8,815
)
 
(10.1
)
Sportster® / Street motorcycle units
 
48,194

 
21.1
%
 
54,409

 
22.5
%
 
(6,215
)
 
(11.4
)
Harley-Davidson motorcycle units
 
228,665

 
100.0
%
 
241,498

 
100.0
%
 
(12,833
)
 
(5.3
)%
During 2018, wholesale shipments of Harley-Davidson motorcycles were down 5.3% compared to the prior year in line with a 6.1% decrease in dealer retail sales of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles. International shipments as a percentage of total shipments were up in 2018 as compared to 2017. Shipments of Touring motorcycles increased as a percentage of total shipments in 2018 offset by declines in Cruiser and Sportster/Street motorcycles. Dealer inventory of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the U.S. at the end of 2018 was down approximately 350 motorcycles compared to the end of 2017.
Segment Results
The following table includes the condensed statements of operations for the Motorcycles segment (in thousands): 
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
%
Change
Revenue(a):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Motorcycles
 
$
3,882,963

 
$
3,765,620

 
$
117,343

 
3.1
 %
Parts & Accessories
 
754,663

 
800,702

 
(46,039
)
 
(5.7
)
General Merchandise
 
241,964

 
262,776

 
(20,812
)
 
(7.9
)
Licensing
 
38,676

 
39,186

 
(510
)
 
(1.3
)
Other
 
50,380

 
46,743

 
3,637

 
7.8

Total revenue
 
4,968,646

 
4,915,027

 
53,619

 
1.1

Cost of goods sold
 
3,351,796

 
3,272,330

 
79,466

 
2.4

Gross profit
 
1,616,850

 
1,642,697

 
(25,847
)
 
(1.6
)
Selling & administrative expense
 
914,900

 
864,618

 
50,282

 
5.8

Engineering expense
 
186,186

 
171,303

 
14,883

 
8.7

Restructuring expense
 
93,401

 

 
93,401

 

Operating expense
 
1,194,487

 
1,035,921

 
158,566

 
15.3

Operating income from Motorcycles
 
$
422,363

 
$
606,776

 
$
(184,413
)
 
(30.4
)%

(a)
In connection with the adoption of ASU 2014-09, the Company has changed its presentation of disaggregated Motorcycles segment revenue and the prior period has been recast to reflect the new presentation.

29



The following table includes the estimated impact of significant factors affecting the comparability of net revenue, cost of goods sold and gross profit from 2017 to 2018 (in millions):
 
 
Net
Revenue
 
Cost of
Goods
Sold
 
Gross
Profit
2017
 
$
4,915

 
$
3,272

 
$
1,643

Volume
 
(304
)
 
(182
)
 
(122
)
Price, net of related costs
 
115

 
61

 
54

Foreign currency exchange rates and hedging
 
33

 
21

 
12

Shipment mix
 
210

 
117

 
93

Raw material prices
 

 
18

 
(18
)
Manufacturing and other costs
 

 
45

 
(45
)
Total
 
54

 
80

 
(26
)
2018
 
$
4,969

 
$
3,352

 
$
1,617

The following factors affected the comparability of net revenue, cost of goods sold and gross profit from 2017 to 2018:
The decrease in volume was due to lower wholesale motorcycle shipments, as well as lower P&A and general merchandise sales. P&A and general merchandise sales were down due in large part to lower motorcycle shipments and lower retail motorcycle sales.
On average, wholesale prices for motorcycles shipped in 2018 were higher than in the prior year resulting in a favorable impact on revenue. The positive impact on revenue was partially offset by increased costs related to the additional content added to motorcycles shipped in 2018 as compared to the prior year.
The favorable revenue impact from foreign currency was partially offset by higher net foreign currency losses due primarily to the remeasurement of foreign-denominated balance sheet accounts, as compared to the prior year.
Shipment mix changes resulted in a positive impact on gross profit resulting from favorable changes in the mix of
motorcycle families, as well as the mix of models within motorcycle families.
Raw material prices were higher primarily due to increased steel and aluminum costs which includes the impacts of U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.
Manufacturing and other costs were negatively impacted by lower fixed cost absorption due to lower production, higher depreciation, the impact of incremental tariffs and temporary inefficiencies associated with the Manufacturing Optimization Plan. In 2018, the impact of incremental tariffs was $23.7 million.
    
Operating expenses were up compared to 2017 due to higher recall costs and increased spending on growth initiatives, as well as $93.4 million of restructuring expense related primarily to the Manufacturing Optimization Plan.
Financial Services Segment
Segment Results
The following table includes the condensed statements of operations for the Financial Services segment (in thousands): 
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
%
Change
Interest income
 
$
645,985

 
$
633,113

 
$
12,872

 
2.0
 %
Other income
 
101,108

 
97,151

 
3,957

 
4.1

Securitization and servicing income
 
1,136

 
1,933

 
(797
)
 
(41.2
)
Financial Services revenue
 
748,229

 
732,197

 
16,032

 
2.2

Interest expense
 
193,187

 
180,193

 
12,994

 
7.2

Provision for credit losses
 
106,870

 
132,444

 
(25,574
)
 
(19.3
)
Operating expenses
 
157,012

 
144,255

 
12,757

 
8.8

Financial Services expense
 
457,069

 
456,892

 
177

 

Operating income from Financial Services
 
$
291,160

 
$
275,305

 
$
15,855

 
5.8
 %
Interest income was favorable in 2018 primarily due to higher average retail receivables.

30



Interest expense increased due to a higher cost of funds and higher average outstanding debt.
The provision for credit losses decreased $25.6 million compared to 2017. The retail motorcycle provision decreased $27.1 million driven by a decrease in the retail reserve rate, as a result of lower retail credit losses, compared to an increase in the reserve rate during 2017. This favorability was partially offset by a larger increase in retail receivables compared to 2017. The wholesale provision increased $1.9 million as a result of an increase in the wholesale reserve rate.
Annual losses on the Company's retail motorcycle loans were 1.76% during 2018 compared to 1.90% in 2017. The 30-day delinquency rate for retail motorcycle loans at December 31, 2018 decreased to 4.12% from 4.21% at December 31, 2017.
Operating expenses increased $12.8 million compared to 2017 driven primarily by higher shared services and employee-related expenses.
Changes in the allowance for credit losses on finance receivables were as follows (in thousands): 
 
 
2018
 
2017
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
192,471

 
$
173,343

Provision for credit losses
 
106,870

 
132,444

Charge-offs, net of recoveries
 
(109,456
)
 
(113,316
)
Balance, end of period
 
$
189,885

 
$
192,471

At December 31, 2018, the allowance for credit losses on finance receivables was $182.1 million for retail receivables and $7.8 million for wholesale receivables. At December 31, 2017, the allowance for credit losses on finance receivables was $186.3 million for retail receivables and $6.2 million for wholesale receivables.
The Company's periodic evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses on finance receivables is generally based on the Company's past loan loss experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, current economic conditions and the estimated value of any underlying collateral. Please refer to Note 7 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion regarding the Company’s allowance for credit losses on finance receivables.
 
Results of Operations 2017 Compared to 2016
Consolidated Results 
(in thousands, except earnings per share)
 
2017
 
2016
 
(Decrease)
Increase
 
%
Change
Operating income from Motorcycles and Related Products
 
$
606,776

 
$
770,764

 
$
(163,988
)
 
(21.3
)%
Operating income from Financial Services
 
275,305

 
275,530

 
(225
)
 
(0.1
)
Operating income
 
882,081

 
1,046,294

 
(164,213
)
 
(15.7
)
Other income (expense), net
 
9,182

 
2,642

 
6,540

 
247.5

Investment income
 
3,580

 
4,645

 
(1,065
)
 
(22.9
)
Interest expense
 
31,004

 
29,670

 
1,334

 
4.5

Income before provision for income taxes
 
863,839

 
1,023,911

 
(160,072
)
 
(15.6
)
Provision for income taxes
 
342,080

 
331,747

 
10,333

 
3.1

Net income
 
$
521,759

 
$
692,164

 
$
(170,405
)
 
(24.6
)%
Diluted earnings per share
 
$
3.02

 
$
3.83

 
$
(0.81
)
 
(21.1
)%
Consolidated operating income was down 15.7% in 2017 driven by a decrease in operating income from the Motorcycles segment which decreased by $164.0 million compared to 2016. Operating income for the Financial Services segment in 2017 was slightly lower than the prior year, decreasing $0.2 million as compared to 2016. Please refer to the “Motorcycles and Related Products Segment” and “Financial Services Segment” discussions following for a more detailed discussion of the factors affecting operating income.
    
The effective income tax rate for 2017 was 39.6% compared to 32.4% for 2016. The higher effective income tax rate was primarily due to the impact of the 2017 Tax Act. The 2017 Tax Act reduced the federal corporate income tax rate beginning in 2018 from 35% to 21% and resulted in a remeasurement of net deferred tax assets in the fourth quarter of 2017. The impact of remeasuring the deferred tax asset balances combined with other adjustments related to the enactment of the 2017 Tax Act resulted in a non-cash income tax charge of $53.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2017.

31



Diluted earnings per share were $3.02 in 2017, down 21.1% compared to 2016. Diluted earnings per share were adversely impacted by the 24.6% decrease in net income, but benefited from lower diluted weighted average shares outstanding. Diluted weighted average shares outstanding decreased from 180.5 million in 2016 to 172.9 million in 2017 driven by the Company's repurchases of common stock.
Motorcycles Retail Sales and Registration Data
Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Retail Sales(a) 
The following table includes retail unit sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles: 
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
Decrease
 
%
Change
United States
 
147,972

 
161,658

 
(13,686
)
 
(8.5
)%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Europe(b)
 
39,773

 
39,942

 
(169
)
 
(0.4
)
EMEA - Other
 
5,162

 
5,896

 
(734
)
 
(12.4
)
      Total EMEA
 
44,935

 
45,838

 
(903
)
 
(2.0
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Asia Pacific(c)
 
21,393

 
23,245

 
(1,852
)
 
(8.0
)
Asia Pacific - Other
 
8,955

 
9,644

 
(689
)
 
(7.1
)
Total Asia Pacific
 
30,348

 
32,889

 
(2,541
)
 
(7.7
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Latin America
 
9,452

 
9,701

 
(249
)
 
(2.6
)
Canada
 
10,081

 
10,203

 
(122
)
 
(1.2
)
     Total International Retail Sales
 
94,816

 
98,631

 
(3,815
)
 
(3.9
)
     Total Worldwide Retail Sales
 
242,788

 
260,289

 
(17,501
)
 
(6.7
)%

(a)
Data source for retail sales figures shown above is new sales warranty and registration information provided by Harley-Davidson dealers and compiled by the Company. The Company must rely on information that its dealers supply concerning new retail sales and the Company does not regularly verify the information that its dealers supply. This information is subject to revision.
(b)
Includes Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
(c)
Includes Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Korea. Prior period Asia Pacific retail sales have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation

Retail sales of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the U.S. were down 8.5% in 2017, adversely impacted by a weak U.S. industry, which was down 7.3% compared to 2016. The Company's U.S. market share of 601+cc motorcycles for 2017 was 50.7%, down 0.5 percentage points compared to 2016 (Source: Motorcycle Industry Council). 
International retail sales of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles were down 3.9% in 2017. In EMEA, retail sales in Europe were down slightly from 2016 while other EMEA markets decreased 12.4% behind softness in emerging markets including Russia, Middle East and South Africa. In Asia Pacific, retail sales were down compared to 2016 on softness in Japan and Australia and lower retail sales in emerging markets compared to 2016. Retail sales in Latin America during 2017 were down on softness in Mexico partially offset by an increase in Brazil. Canada retail sales were down slightly from the prior year.

Motorcycle Registration Data - 601+cc(a) 
The following table includes industry retail motorcycle registration data:
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
Decrease
 
%
Change
United States(b)
 
288,802

 
311,710

 
(22,908
)
 
(7.3
)%
Europe(c)
 
390,619

 
391,936

 
(1,317
)
 
(0.3
)%
 

32



(a)
Data includes on-road 601+cc models. On-road 601+cc models include dual purpose models, three-wheeled motorcycles and autocycles. Registration data for Harley-Davidson Street® 500 motorcycles is not included in this table.
(b)
United States industry data is derived from information provided by Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC). This third-party data is subject to revision and update.
(c)
Europe data includes Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Industry retail motorcycle registration data includes 601+cc models derived from information provided by Association des Constructeurs Europeens de Motocycles (ACEM), an independent agency. This third-party data is subject to revision and update.


Motorcycles and Related Products Segment
Motorcycle Unit Shipments
The following table includes wholesale motorcycle unit shipments for the Motorcycles segment: 
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
Unit
 
Unit
 
 
Units
 
Mix %
 
Units
 
Mix %
 
Decrease
 
%
Change
United States
 
144,893

 
60.0
%
 
161,839

 
61.7
%
 
(16,946
)
 
(10.5
)%
International
 
96,605

 
40.0
%
 
100,382

 
38.3
%
 
(3,777
)
 
(3.8
)
Harley-Davidson motorcycle units
 
241,498

 
100.0
%
 
262,221

 
100.0
%
 
(20,723
)
 
(7.9
)%
Touring motorcycle units
 
99,745

 
41.3
%
 
107,410

 
41.0
%
 
(7,665
)
 
(7.1
)%
Cruiser motorcycle units
 
87,344

 
36.2
%
 
93,422

 
35.6
%
 
(6,078
)
 
(6.5
)
Sportster® / Street motorcycle units
 
54,409

 
22.5
%
 
61,389

 
23.4
%
 
(6,980
)
 
(11.4
)
Harley-Davidson motorcycle units
 
241,498

 
100.0
%
 
262,221

 
100.0
%
 
(20,723
)
 
(7.9
)%
    
During 2017, wholesale shipments of Harley-Davidson motorcycles were down 7.9% compared to the prior year, slightly more than the 6.7% decrease in dealer retail sales of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles. International shipments as a percentage of the total were up slightly in 2017 as compared to 2016. Shipments of Cruiser motorcycles increased as a percentage of total shipments in 2017 behind the launch of the new model-year 2018 Softail motorcycles. The Softail motorcycle platform was completely redesigned for model-year 2018 and merged the former Softail and Dyna platforms. Dealer inventory of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the U.S. at the end of 2017 was down approximately 3,000 motorcycles compared to the end of 2016.


33



Segment Results
The following table includes the condensed statements of operations for the Motorcycles segment (in thousands): 
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
(Decrease)
Increase
 
%
Change
Revenue(a):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Motorcycles
 
$
3,765,620

 
$
4,052,999

 
$
(287,379
)
 
(7.1
)%
Parts & Accessories
 
800,702

 
839,097

 
(38,395
)
 
(4.6
)
General Merchandise
 
262,776

 
284,583

 
(21,807
)
 
(7.7
)
Licensing
 
39,186

 
41,590

 
(2,404
)
 
(5.8
)
Other
 
46,743

 
53,107

 
(6,364
)
 
(12.0
)
Total revenue
 
4,915,027

 
5,271,376

 
(356,349
)
 
(6.8
)
Cost of goods sold
 
3,272,330

 
3,425,997

 
(153,667
)
 
(4.5
)
Gross profit
 
1,642,697

 
1,845,379

 
(202,682
)
 
(11.0
)
Selling & administrative expense
 
864,618

 
903,414

 
(38,796
)
 
(4.3
)
Engineering expense
 
171,303

 
171,201

 
102

 
0.1

Operating expense
 
1,035,921

 
1,074,615

 
(38,694
)
 
(3.6
)
Operating income from Motorcycles
 
$
606,776

 
$
770,764

 
$
(163,988
)
 
(21.3
)%
(a)
In connection with the adoption of ASU 2014-09, the Company has changed its presentation of disaggregated Motorcycles segment revenue and the prior period has been recast to reflect the new presentation.
The following table includes the estimated impact of the significant factors affecting the comparability of net revenue, cost of goods sold and gross profit from 2016 to 2017 (in millions):
 
 
Net
Revenue
 
Cost of
Goods
Sold
 
Gross
Profit
2016
 
$
5,272

 
$
3,426

 
$
1,846

Volume
 
(435
)
 
(264
)
 
(171
)
Price, net of related costs
 
120

 
59

 
61

Foreign currency exchange rates and hedging
 
13

 
(3
)
 
16

Shipment mix
 
(55
)
 
(18
)
 
(37
)
Raw material prices
 

 
17

 
(17
)
Manufacturing and other costs
 

 
55

 
(55
)
Total
 
(357
)
 
(154
)
 
(203
)
2017
 
$
4,915

 
$
3,272

 
$
1,643

The following factors affected the comparability of net revenue, cost of goods sold and gross profit from 2016 to 2017:
The decrease in volume was due to lower wholesale motorcycle shipments, as well as lower P&A and general merchandise sales. P&A and general merchandise sales were down due in large part to lower motorcycle shipments and lower retail motorcycle sales.
On average, wholesale prices for motorcycles shipped in 2017 were higher than in the prior year resulting in a favorable impact on revenue. The positive impact on revenue was partially offset by increased costs related to the additional content added to motorcycles shipped in 2017 as compared to last year.
Revenue was positively impacted by slightly stronger weighted-average foreign currency rates, relative to the U.S. dollar, as compared to last year. In addition, cost was favorably impacted by a higher net gain resulting from the remeasurement of foreign-denominated balance sheet accounts net of losses incurred on hedging activities, as compared to last year.
Shipment mix changes resulted in a negative impact on gross profit resulting from unfavorable changes in the mix of models within motorcycle families as well as changes in P&A product mix.
Raw material prices were higher due primarily to increased steel and aluminum costs.
Manufacturing costs were negatively impacted by lower fixed cost absorption due to lower production volumes, higher model-year startup costs and higher depreciation.

34



Operating expense which consists of selling, administrative and engineering expenses, was down compared to 2016 due primarily to aggressive cost management and lower employee costs.
Financial Services Segment
Segment Results
The following table includes the condensed statements of operations for the Financial Services segment (in thousands): 
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
Increase
(Decrease)
 
%
Change
Interest income
 
$
633,113

 
$
628,432

 
$
4,681

 
0.7
 %
Other income
 
97,151

 
85,788

 
11,363

 
13.2

Securitization and servicing income
 
1,933

 
10,862

 
(8,929
)
 
(82.2
)
Financial Services revenue
 
732,197

 
725,082

 
7,115

 
1.0

Interest expense
 
180,193

 
173,756

 
6,437

 
3.7

Provision for credit losses
 
132,444

 
136,617

 
(4,173
)
 
(3.1
)
Operating expense
 
144,255

 
139,179

 
5,076

 
3.6

Financial Services expense
 
456,892

 
449,552

 
7,340

 
1.6

Operating income from Financial Services
 
$
275,305

 
$
275,530

 
$
(225
)
 
(0.1
)%
Interest income was favorable in 2017 due to higher average retail receivables partially offset by lower average wholesale receivables and lower average yields across the portfolios. Other income was favorable due to increased licensing revenue and investment income. Securitization and servicing income was lower primarily due to a $9.3 million gain on the sale of finance receivables recognized as a result of a 2016 off-balance sheet asset-backed securitization. There was no comparable transaction in 2017.
Interest expense increased due to a higher cost of funds, partially offset by lower average outstanding debt.
The provision for credit losses decreased $4.2 million compared to 2016. The retail motorcycle provision decreased $6.5 million during 2017 as a result of a smaller increase in the retail reserve rate and lower receivables partially offset by higher retail credit losses. Credit losses were higher as a result of unfavorable performance across the retail motorcycle portfolio. The wholesale provision increased $1.0 million due to a smaller decrease in the wholesale reserve rate compared to 2016.
Annual losses on the Company's retail motorcycle loans were 1.90% during 2017 compared to 1.83% in 2016. The 30-day delinquency rate for retail motorcycle loans at December 31, 2017 decreased to 4.21% from 4.25% at December 31, 2016.
Changes in the allowance for credit losses on finance receivables were as follows (in thousands): 
 
 
2017
 
2016
Balance, beginning of period
 
$
173,343

 
$
147,178

Provision for credit losses
 
132,444

 
136,617

Charge-offs, net of recoveries
 
(113,316
)
 
(107,161
)
Other (a)
 

 
(3,291
)
Balance, end of period
 
$
192,471

 
$
173,343


(a)
Related to the sale of finance receivables during 2016 with a principal balance of $301.8 million through an off-balance sheet asset-backed securitization transaction (see Note 12 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information).

At December 31, 2017, the allowance for credit losses on finance receivables was $186.3 million for retail receivables and $6.2 million for wholesale receivables. At December 31, 2016, the allowance for credit losses on finance receivables was $166.8 million for retail receivables and $6.5 million for wholesale receivables.
    
The Company's periodic evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses on finance receivables is generally based on the Company's past loan loss experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, current economic conditions and the estimated value of any underlying collateral.

35




Other Matters
New Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
Refer to Note 1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of new accounting standards that will become effective for the Company in 2019 and 2020.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The Company’s financial statements are based on the selection and application of significant accounting policies, which require management to make significant estimates and assumptions. Management believes that the following are some of the more critical judgment areas in the application of accounting policies that currently affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. Management has discussed the development and selection of these critical accounting estimates with the Audit and Finance Committee of the Board of Directors.
Allowance for Credit Losses on Retail Finance Receivables – The allowance for uncollectible accounts is maintained at a level management believes is adequate to cover the losses of principal in the existing retail finance receivables portfolio.
The retail portfolio consists of a large number of small balance, homogeneous finance receivables. The Company performs a periodic and systematic collective evaluation of the adequacy of the retail allowance. The Company utilizes loss forecast models which consider a variety of factors including, but not limited to, historical loss trends, origination or vintage analysis, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, the value of the underlying collateral, recovery rates and current economic conditions including items such as unemployment rates.
Product Warranty and Recalls – Estimated warranty costs are accrued at the time of sale and are based on a combination of historical claim cost data and other known factors that may affect future warranty claims. The estimated costs associated with voluntary recalls are accrued in the period that management approves and commits to the recall. The accrued cost of a recall is based on an estimate of the cost to repair each affected motorcycle and the number of motorcycles expected to be repaired based on historical data concerning the percentage of affected customers that take advantage of recall offers. In the case of both warranty and recall costs, as actual experience becomes available it is used to update the accruals.
The factors affecting actual warranty and recall costs can be volatile. As a result, actual warranty claims experience and recall costs may differ from estimates, which could lead to material changes in the Company’s accrued warranty and recall costs. The Company’s warranty and recall liabilities are discussed further in Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Pensions and Other Postretirement Healthcare Benefits – The Company has a defined benefit pension plan and postretirement healthcare benefit plans, which cover employees of the Motorcycles segment. The Company also has unfunded supplemental employee retirement plan agreements (SERPA) with certain employees, which were instituted to replace benefits lost under the Tax Revenue Reconciliation Act of 1993.
U.S. GAAP requires that companies recognize in their statement of financial position a liability for defined benefit pension and postretirement plans that are underfunded or an asset for defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans that are overfunded.
Pension, SERPA and postretirement healthcare obligations and costs are calculated through actuarial valuations. The valuation of benefit obligations and net periodic benefit costs relies on key assumptions including discount rates, mortality, long-term expected return on plan assets, future compensation and healthcare cost trend rates.
The Company determines its discount rate assumptions by referencing high-quality long-term bond rates that are matched to the duration of its own benefit obligations. Based on this analysis, the Company increased the weighted-average discount rate for pension and SERPA obligations from 3.71% as of December 31, 2017 to 4.38% as of December 31, 2018. The Company increased the weighted-average discount rate for postretirement healthcare obligations from 3.52% to 4.23%. The Company determines its healthcare trend assumption for the postretirement healthcare obligation by considering factors such as estimated healthcare inflation, the utilization of healthcare benefits and changes in the health of plan participants. Based on the Company’s assessment of this data as of December 31, 2018, the Company set its healthcare cost trend rate at 6.75% as of December 31, 2018. The Company expects the healthcare cost trend rate to reach its ultimate rate of 5.00% by 2026.(1) These assumption changes were reflected immediately in the benefit obligation and will be amortized into net periodic benefit costs over future periods.

36



Plan assets are measured at fair value and are subject to market volatility. In estimating the expected return on plan assets, the Company considers the historical returns on plan assets, adjusted to reflect the current view of the long-term investment market.
Changes in the funded status of defined benefit pension and postretirement benefit plans resulting from the difference between assumptions and actual results are initially recognized in other comprehensive income and amortized to expense over future periods. The following information is provided to illustrate the sensitivity of pension and postretirement healthcare obligations and costs to changes in these major assumptions (in thousands): 
 
 
Amounts based
on current
assumptions
 
Impact of a 1%
decrease in the
discount rate
 
Impact of a 1%
decrease in the
expected
return on assets
 
Impact of a 1%
increase in the
healthcare
cost trend rate
2018 Net periodic benefit cost
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension and SERPA
 
$
32,817

 
$
28,330

 
$
20,322

 
n/a

Postretirement healthcare
 
$
3,664

 
$
1,196

 
$
1,955

 
$
1,556

2018 Benefit obligations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Pension and SERPA
 
$
1,984,708

 
$
319,213

 
n/a

 
n/a

Postretirement healthcare
 
$
286,574

 
$
23,298

 
n/a

 
$
8,613

This information should not be viewed as predictive of future amounts. The analysis of the impact of a 1% change in the table above does not take into account the cost related to special termination benefits. The calculation of pension, SERPA and postretirement healthcare obligations and costs is based on many factors in addition to those discussed here. This information should be considered in combination with the information provided in Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Income Taxes – The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes (Topic 740). Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and other loss carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled.
The Company is subject to income taxes in the U.S. and numerous foreign jurisdictions. These tax laws and regulations are complex and significant judgment is required in determining the Company’s worldwide provision for income taxes and recording the related deferred tax assets and liabilities.
In the ordinary course of the Company’s business, there are transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. Accruals for unrecognized tax benefits are provided for in accordance with the requirements of Topic 740. An unrecognized tax benefit represents the difference between the recognition of benefits related to items for income tax reporting purposes and financial reporting purposes. The unrecognized tax benefit is included within other long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company has a liability for interest and penalties on exposure items, if applicable, which is recorded as a component of the overall income tax provision. The Company is regularly audited by tax authorities as a normal course of business. Although the outcome of tax audits is always uncertain, the Company believes that it has appropriate support for the positions taken on its tax returns and that its annual tax provision includes amounts sufficient to pay any assessments. Nonetheless, the amounts ultimately paid, if any, upon resolution of the issues raised by the taxing authorities may differ materially from the amounts accrued for each year.
Contractual Obligations
A summary of the Company’s expected payments for significant contractual obligations as of December 31, 2018 is as follows (in thousands): 
 
 
2019
 
2020-2021
 
2022-2023
 
Thereafter
 
Total
Principal payments on debt
 
$
2,717,597

 
$
3,133,704

 
$
1,018,393

 
$
750,000

 
$
7,619,694

Interest payments on debt
 
182,532

 
226,407

 
109,026

 
336,750

 
854,715

Operating lease payments
 
20,416

 
29,897

 
15,675

 
7,988

 
73,976

 
 
$
2,920,545

 
$
3,390,008

 
$