Module 3 - Case Strategic Management: External Analysis and SWOT



Introduction3

Discussion3

Question 1: What are HD's Opportunities for moving forward in the competitive motorcycle manufacturing and sales environment?3

Question 2: What threats does the company face?5

Question 3: To what extend do you think the alliance between HD and Lehman Trikes presented an opportunity for HD? To what extent do you think this was an opportunity for Lehman? Make sure you support your arguments.6

Conclusion7

References8

Module 3 - Case Strategic Management: External Analysis and SWOT

Introduction

The relative intensity of rivalry among competitors in the motorcycle industry is the focal point of this paper. The level of competition and extent of external analysis are influential characteristics of the motorcycle industry. The Harley Davidson and Lehman Trikes are part of discussed for SWOT analysis to find opportunities and threats. Industries that sell same products in the same industries between different members are the factor of rivalry. The brand preference, learning, and economies of scale are three great notions for the Harley Davidson. The consideration for global market environment for Harley Davidson is the basic necessity to understand its status in the global market as a giant competitor.

Discussion

Question 1: What are HD's Opportunities for moving forward in the competitive motorcycle manufacturing and sales environment?

Harley Davidson or Harley or HD is the leading automotive companies. It produces motorcycle parts, heavyweight motorcycles, apparel, accessories, and general merchandise. The provision of financial services which includes retail financing, insurance programs and wholesale programs are part of the portfolio of Harley Davidson. It operates from Milwaukee, Wisconsin with the employment force of six hundred and nine thousand people in the United States of America.

The SWOT analysis of the Harley Davidson illuminates strong market standing, brand image, and confidence of investors. This creates an opportunity for the company against the additional costs and obligations on the operations of other regulatory companies (Franklin, 2010).

The opportunities for Harley Davidson open channels and success factors among other competitors. The growing and rising motorcycle market and emerging Indian market for obtaining benefits are two optimum factors for the company. The evidence of strong growth in the global motorcycle market for last few years creates opportunity for Harley Davidson. The generation of total revenues from $61.7 billion over the .4% increase in every year signifies promising business performance. It is forecasted to accelerate between 2010 to the year 2014. The expanding end market is possibly to coerce demand for the products of the company. This represents a wide opportunity for Harley Davidson to capitalize and marginalize on its market due to growing demands for motorcycle (Looney, 2011). The expansion of revenues and profits is the strengthening major factor of this company.

Harley Davidson also poised to gains from the growing and emerging market of automobile. There is a strong growth and rising trend that witnesses the Indian two wheeler market. This significant observation was seen in the recent past and trend is possibly to continue and grow in the near future. Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) studies that there ...