HARLEY-DAVIDSON CREATES NEW ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY R&D FACILITY IN SILICON VALLEY
MILWAUKEE (Sept. 5, 2018) -
Harley-Davidson, Inc. (NYSE: HOG) announced today it will establish
a new research and development facility in Northern California to
support its future product portfolio, including the company's first
complete line of electric vehicles.
"Recently we shared with the world our accelerated plans to build
the next generation of Harley-Davidson riders globally," said Matt
Levatich, President and CEO of Harley-Davidson, Inc. "This new
R&D facility in the heart of Silicon Valley will help us
deliver on those plans and demonstrate our commitment to lead the
electrification of the sport."
In July, Harley-Davidson shared details of its "More Roads to
Harley-Davidson" growth plan. Through this accelerated plan, the
company is expanding the Harley-Davidson community through new
products, broader access and stronger dealers.
As part of that strategy, Harley-Davidson will launch its first
electric motorcycle, LiveWireâ„¢, in 2019. That motorcycle
will be the first in a broad, no-clutch "twist and go" portfolio of
electric two-wheelers designed by the company. It will be followed
by additional models through 2022 to broaden the portfolio with
lighter, smaller and even more accessible product options to
inspire new riders with new ways to ride.
The new facility in California, which will serve as a satellite of
the Willie G. Davidson Product Development Facility in Wauwatosa,
Wis., is expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2018. It will
initially focus on electric vehicle research and development,
including battery, power electronics and e-machine design,
development and advanced manufacturing. Long term, the company may
consider expanding the center's focus to an increased range of
advanced technologies that uniquely leverage the rich talent in the
Silicon Valley and support its most comprehensive and competitive
lineup of motorcycles across a broad spectrum of price points,
power sources and riding styles.
The company has already begun recruiting top talent in electrical,
mechanical and software engineering, with experience in developing
and delivering a wide variety of EV systems from design through
production. The facility will initially employ a staff of
approximately 25, most of which the company intends to hire from
within the Silicon Valley area.
"This is an exciting time in Harley-Davidson's incredible history,
and it's also an exciting time to join our company and help shape
our future," said Levatich.
For more information on the "More Roads to Harley-Davidson" plan,
follow this link. For a variety of career
opportunities at Harley-Davidson, including roles at the new
research facility, please visit us at https://www.harley-davidson.com/careers.
