Public Consensus OpinionTM
Initiated by: D.H.

Should Harley-Davidson motorcycles be made overseas?

Public verdict: Yes. The company should do whatever is necessary, including offshore manufacturing, to continue to produce the best product at the lowest cost wherever in the world it is sold.
128 jurors voted to form this verdict and were awarded 1,920 RHU. Check your balance to see if you qualified. Log in
Case description
Iconic American brand Harley-Davidson has announced plans to begin manufacturing and selling its motorcycles in Europe. The decision is in response to a 31% EU tariff recently imposed on motorcycles, and Harley’s decision not to raise EU retail prices to cover the added expense. The plan anticipates European-made bikes being sold outside America, with bikes purchased in America continuing to be made in the U.S.A. The company, whose products were 100% American-made until 2014, currently has manufacturing operations in Brazil, India, and Australia, in addition to its three US facilities.
391 total voters
How the public voted
Verdict
128 votes
"Yes. The company should do whatever is necessary, including offshore manufacturing, to continue to produce the best product at the lowest cost wherever in the world it is sold."
112 votes
"No. To protect the long-term value of this uniquely American brand, Harley-Davidson motorcycles should be 100% made in the USA."
79 votes
"Yes—as long as EU-produced bikes are registered and clearly marked “made in the EU” for consumer awareness."
58 votes
"Yes—but only for local sale in the EU, not for resale in areas unaffected by high import tariffs on motorcycles."
14 votes
"No. Harley-Davidson should be taxed or penalized for moving manufacturing outside the USA."
See who voted: 7 jury categories.View more

What happens next

Disputing parties will be invited to resolve the matter based on this public verdict. If the parties have agreed beforehand to use the results to arbitrate the case the verdict will be binding. If not, the results are nonbinding but can be used as input to guide further negotiation. Depending on the case, results may be distributed to other interested parties such as regulators and media.