Things are heating up in the world of Harley-Davidson, as H Partners Management—owner of about a 9% stake in the company—has launched a new volley across the Motor Co's bow after being told it couldn't pick the company's new CEO. That shot? The investment firm wants to oust retiring CEO Jochen Zeitz immediately and kick two other board members out, too.
If you're just catching up, Harley-Davidson's current CEO, Zeitz, has announced that he'll be retiring at the end of the year after five years at the job. His tenure had mixed results, but Harley's seen a lot of headwinds, including recurring tariffs, economic stagnation in the United States, and a market that's moving toward small-displacement motorcycles that are inexpensive and geared toward a younger demographic.
Likewise, the Harley demographic of the '80s and '90s, and even somewhat into the early aughts, is no longer interested in buying a $30,000+ cruiser, or they've already bought one, so repeat business just isn't there anymore. All of which has led many to consider Zeitz's tenure not the successful brand rebuild he'd promised when he took the position.
