BDM Latest

[Raywood]

Big Dog Motorcycles is laying off 49 employees over the next 60 days as sales have continued to fall from their 2004 peak.

The company is laying off 22 employees, mostly production workers, today and 27, mostly office workers, in 60 days.

That leaves the company with more than 100 employees, down from a peak of about 340 people.

Owner Sheldon Coleman Jr. said the company must cut staff to adjust to sales that are less than half of their peak four years ago.

He said sales topped $100 million in 2004 but are expected to be about $40 million this year.

Big Dog Motorcycles, base-priced between $24,000 and $36,000, are luxury goods that have suffered as buyers have seen wealth evaporate as home prices have fallen and credit dry up as lenders have tightened standards, Coleman said.

But Coleman said he remains optimistic that the downturn is cyclical and the company will find its way back.

He said demand will revive as the economy rebounds and as the company expands overseas.

"There will be pent up demand as people see light at the end of the tunnel," he said.

For more on Coleman's thoughts on Big Dog's future, read Saturday's Eagle or come back to Kansas.com.

Big Dog lays off 49 as sales slump continues | Kansas.com

 

[kickstart]

This is not good! and Indian is risking it all again wanting $35,500 for the vintage Chief. It is a sweet looking scoot.

 

[TSDAWG]

Furthermore, OCC is opening stores around the country. The fifth one just opened in Tulsa OK last week. They are priced even higher than dogs. Personally, didn't like them as much as our dogs, but maybe I'm prejudice!

Hate to hear this about BDM. Strange thing going on right now in this country. Motorcycle sales are up higher than they have been in years, but not in the Customs and Harleys, the economical ride is going off the shelves fast.

 

[shovelcowboy]

Hope they get back on track! If you are gonna save money on gas (my chopper got almost 45 mpg on the 1000 mile trip back from Strugis) you might as well "DO IT RIGHT AND WITH STYLE, POWER, AND ATTITUDE" and forget the moped.

Shovelcowboy

 

[whitewolf01]

Its not only the production, its engineering & the service center. Tom got laid off today (Friday). Brad has 60 days. No more rallies for Brad.

 

[Raywood]

Sorry to hear about Brad cause him and Brad do so much work at the rallies for us.

Hopefully with the dealer meeting next week when all the models are displayed maybe the new model will help promote sales.

:flag: :flag: :flag:

 

[HDLARRY]

Sorry to hear about this but it is going on just about everywhere.

Some projected street bike numbers I read in the Aug. Motorcycle Consumer News magazine indicated that most of the major manufactures will be down in 2008 vs 2007. Some surprises in the numbers though.

Mfg. --------- % Sales Change ------- Market Share %
---------------- 2008 vs 2007--------------------------

Harley ---------- - 0.81 -------------- 29.88
Honda ---------- - 3.74 -------------- 21.05
Yamaha --------- - 5.30 --------------- 15.92
Suzuki ---------- - 4.62 -------------- 12.92
Kawasaki ------- + 0.91 -------------- 12.04
KTM ------------ - 8.77 -------------- 2.14
Triumph --------- +32.21 -------------- 1.64
Ducati ---------- +20.50 -------------- 1.27
BMW ----------- +31.14 -------------- 1.25
Victory --------- - 9.59 -------------- 1.02
Buell ------------ +26.77 -------------- 0.69
Piaggio ---------- - 7.08 -------------- 0.16

For some reason Bigdog did not make this list. The Piaggio is only projected to sell 1430 units so maybe Bigdog is below that number, I don't know.

 

[BBChopper]

What the fuck is a Piaggio?

Piaggio USA

.

 

[BubbleHead]

Its not only the production, its engineering & the service center. Tom got laid off today (Friday). Brad has 60 days. No more rallies for Brad.

WhiteWolf, I am very sorry to hear this. Tom and Brad are outstanding men and true to the BDM cause. Now I am getting worried for the Ohmster and Showdog and all the other outstanding people from BDM. This truely discourages me as a BDM owner. I fully understand the business economics of it but when things get tough, as a business owner determined to stay afloat, your core people must be retained. They are your life's blood to your operation. I am praying this is not an indication that BDM is walking down the same path as Ironhorse.

 

[Fibersnake]

Furthermore, OCC is opening stores around the country. The fifth one just opened in Tulsa OK last week. They are priced even higher than dogs. Personally, didn't like them as much as our dogs, but maybe I'm prejudice!

Hate to hear this about BDM. Strange thing going on right now in this country. Motorcycle sales are up higher than they have been in years, but not in the Customs and Harleys, the economical ride is going off the shelves fast.

Agree very much, but I have notice also that there are many more new riders as well as old riders rejoining the road lately due to high gas prices. Most are just grabing something simple for the gas mileage, however as many do enjoy the higher gas mileage and the road; I see a great opportunity for increase sales for the customs.

If BDM, Indian, HD, Victory, etc can keep things going, even reduced output, once the economy starts to turn around (and it will), many of those new riders will be looking to stay on the road and will want to do it in style.

Get over the rough spots and more or chance for a resurgent large increase as so many more will stay around to ride for the pure enjoyment and not just to save gas. BDM should be able to meet those people if it can get through the hard times. Sheldon-I have feeling will stay around to meet those anticipated increase here as well as overseas.

 

[Big Ron]

Besides you guys, nobody I know, knows' anything about BD overseas program. Where can you find anything about that. Is it only in Canada? Expanding the market overseas might be a way to survive the lean times but I hate they are having to downsize.

 

[Fibersnake]

Besides you guys, nobody I know, knows' anything about BD overseas program. Where can you find anything about that. Is it only in Canada? Expanding the market overseas might be a way to survive the lean times but I hate they are having to downsize.

Not sure of the Overseas program myself, but I think that for BDM and the whole American V Twin market, especially customs, there is a market there. More so in some of the middle eastern countries that are enjoying the fruits of the riches especially area like the U.A.E (Abu Dubai, Dubai, Qatar, Bahrain), Kuwait, Saudia Arabia, etc.

 

[jwoolf]

Damn.....

 

[Fibersnake]

That MP3-500 Piaggio is very interesting for sure. Have not seen one of the road yet, but may have to stop by one of their dealers in my area and check it out close.

Interesting concept for sure and comes from a long established Italian leader in personal transport.

 

[Big Ron]

That MP3-500 Piaggio is very interesting for sure. Have not seen one of the road yet, but may have to stop by one of their dealers in my area and check it out close.

Interesting concept for sure and comes from a long established Italian leader in personal transport.

Looks like a Segway with an ass wheel:down:

 

[Grape-Ape]

You are right Fibersnake about the overseas market especially in the UAE, I worked there I have personally seen the market for custom cars, bikes ect.. They have more money than they know what to do with (thanks to the $140ish barrel of oil). I knew a local guy in Dubai that had his new (off the showroom floor) Ford F-350 put on a plane and shipped to the US to get tricked out(at a cost of 92 grand). I saw last month that West Coast Customs has a shop in Dubai now and the Harley dealership has been there for a few years. Definitely a market there for a Big Dog Dealership!!!!

 

[dingo]

That MP3-500 Piaggio is very interesting for sure. Have not seen one of the road yet, but may have to stop by one of their dealers in my area and check it out close.

Interesting concept for sure and comes from a long established Italian leader in personal transport.

I came upon one just the other day......looked interesting but was more vespa like...JMHO

 

[Fibersnake]

Grape-ape,

You are dead on there for sure. Those folks over in the U.A.E. do not think anything of laying the money out for something they want. Not the greatest riding over there though but I could see one of young oil infested rich riders there cruising the strip down by the water as heading over to Burj Dubai Towers (when ever it stops growing upwards), or to the only so called 7 Star Hotel in the world at the Burj Al Arab.

BTW are you working in SandBox and if so Military or contractor?

Dingo,

Piaggio is part of the Vespa family and since someone said it looks like a Skegway (sp) with an ass wheel-good description, but instead of 12 MPH, can do 90 MPH. Not really my style, but do thing it is interesting and could see the expanding market for it.

 

[Vegas]

We might as well sell out to them a little more by selling big dogs in the middle east. :down: I think they could make some serious money but it's kind of like watching your neighbor hump your old lady.

 

[lee]

Expanding the market overseas might be a way to survive the lean times but I hate they are having to downsize.

I'm not sure if I agree with that right now. Expanding right now, with the pretty much global economic slowdown could be another nail in the coffin. A higher tunrover figure will not in my view result in a bigger bottom line if they do that right now.