Well I'm just happy to read no one will be loosing their job, (if that's true...upper management of some corporations say one thing, then do the complete opposite 6 months later)

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>This is just one tiny segment of the market. Nobody is so stupid that they would keep producing something that doesn't sell...... </end quote></div>

If sales of the Goldwing are down, I'm surprised Honda didn't revamp it... I think a lot of people liked the previous style (the 1500's) better.

Maybe demographics might have something to do with a downturn in the high $$$ touring bike made to go cross country. A person would pretty much have to be retired to have enough time off to really enjoy a machine like that, yet be healthy enough financially (and confident in the economy) to be able to afford it, and healthy enough physically to feel confident on a machine that can weigh in at 900+ pounds.

I think there's been a downturn in the cruiser and touring bike segment generally, anyway. Many of the Harley clone companies have bit the dust over the past couple years, and I don't think there are many places that charge thousands over invoice any more.

 

Could it also be cheaper to build them elsewhere where the labor is cheaper ?

Is this the real bottom line reason ?

----- Gregg -----

 

they make more than goldwings in SC....my 400ex was built there

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Could it also be cheaper to build them elsewhere where the labor is cheaper ? </end quote></div>

If that was the reason, then I'd wonder why they (and other "Import" brands) started building plants in the US to begin with?

Meanwhile "domestic" makes were busy moving prduction to Mexico...

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: reconranger

Nobody is so stupid that they would keep producing something that doesn't sell. </end quote></div>

Maico and CZ did.

Probably why they are both gone.

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: JRM

for what its worth the move to japan will result in better quality, they treat there employees much better so the employees take more ownership of the product-hate to say it being american and all. I own a 1990 toyota x cab 4x4 truck built in Japan with vin starting with JT and my friend love it so much he got the exact same truck built in 1992 with the vin starting in AM, built in ohio- my truck has 275K miles with zero problems, zero squeeks and I POUND my truck hard, I treat it like a large ULT quad. His has rattles everywhere and he pampers the thing. Both of us bought them brand new.</end quote></div>

Toyota Truck assembled in Ohio? Where exactly is that plant?

 

I heard the demand for car production is higher than for the bikes there.
Also, dealers were kind of in a pinch at times when bikes were needed the way they were doing it was the bikes were built as they were needed. This way, the bikes will be built over there in larger quanities and stored in their crates here and as the dealers needed them the bike can be shipped right away. Or to that effect anyway. The change was more automotive demand orientated.

----- Gimpster -----

 

Cmarti, not sure where in ohio- this dates back to 1993 when we bought them when we were still in highschool, but I do know its built in america with the vin starting in AM. I rode in it again tonight and pondered why the quality was less, it appears that his dash is hard plastic where mine is hard rubber- thus mine has zero squeeks, maybe not a manafacturing issue but where the parts were made? quality of construction of the parts?

 

Went recently to look at a 4Runner with the GF. Built in Japan. I'd have to say the fit and finish were excellent, and it had the refined engineering feel that Toyota is known for.