Harley-Davidson To Move Production To Thailand

Iconic American motorcycle manufacturer Harley-Davidson has announced plans to move production of certain models to its facility in Thailand, a decision that has ignited controversy and union backlash.

The company stated it will temporarily transition the production of its non-core Revolution Max powertrain-equipped models, including the Pan America, Sportster S, and Nightster, to Thailand for the 2025 model year. These bikes will be shipped back to the U.S. for sale, which contradicts the company's 2018 statement that Thai-made bikes wouldn't be sold in America.

Harley-Davidson claims this shift will optimize production capacity for its core products at its York, PA facility. The company also announced a $9 million investment in U.S. manufacturing facilities, building on a recent Department of Energy grant.

However, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) strongly condemned the decision. IAM President Brian Bryant called it "a kick in the teeth to American workers and a betrayal of the company's legacy as an American icon" as was reported by a US publication. The union referenced a 2019 incident where nearly 600 IAM members lost jobs when Harley closed its Kansas City facility, with production moving to Thailand ostensibly for Asian and European markets only.

While Harley-Davidson insists this move won't impact U.S. employment, workers at the Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin plant expressed anxiety about their job security to local news outlet TMJ4.