Harley-Davidson - 10-K annual report 2012

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549

FORM 10-K

Harley-Davidson, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrants telephone number: (414) 342-4680

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: NONE

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (check one).

Harley-Davidson, Inc.

Form 10-K

 

PART I

Note regarding forward-looking statements

The Motorcycles segment designs, manufactures and sells at wholesale heavyweight (street legal with engine displacement of 651+cc) Harley-Davidson motorcycles as well as a line of motorcycle parts, accessories, general merchandise and related services. The Company’s products are sold to retail customers through a network of independent dealers. The Company conducts business on a global basis, with sales in North America, Europe/Middle East/Africa (EMEA), Asia-Pacific and Latin America.

In 2009, the Company decided to exit its former Buell product line and ceased production of Buell motorcycles. The sale of remaining Buell motorcycle inventory to independent dealers and/or distributors was substantially completed during 2010. The majority of independent dealers continue to provide ongoing service and replacement parts to owners of Buell products that the Company sold.

In 2010, the Company completed the sale of MV Agusta (MV). The results of MV have been presented as a discontinued operation for all periods.

The Motorcycles segment discussion that follows is specific to the Harley-Davidson brand unless otherwise specifically noted.

The Financial Services segment consists of Harley-Davidson Financial Services (HDFS). HDFS provides wholesale and retail financing and provides insurance and insurance-related programs primarily to Harley-Davidson dealers and their retail customers. HDFS conducts business principally in the United States and Canada.

See Note 20 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for financial information related to the Company’s business segments.

Motorcycles and Related Products

The total heavyweight  motorcycle market is comprised of the following categories:

Harley-Davidson has been the historical market share leader in the U.S. heavyweight motorcycle market. Competitors in the U.S. market offer heavyweight motorcycles in all categories of the market including products that compete directly with the Company's offerings in the touring and cruiser categories.

 

 

 

 

The Company and its subsidiaries own, and continue to obtain, patent rights that relate to its motorcycles and related products and processes for their production. Certain technology-related intellectual property is also protected, where appropriate, by license agreements, confidentiality agreements or other agreements with suppliers, employees and other third parties. The Company diligently protects its intellectual property, including patents and trade secrets, and its rights to innovative and proprietary technology. This protection, including enforcement, is important as the Company moves forward

with investments in new products, designs and technologies. While the Company believes patents are important to its business operations and in the aggregate constitute a valuable asset, the success of the business is not dependent on any one patent or group of patents. The Company’s active patent portfolio has an average age for patents of approximately nine years. A patent review committee, which is comprised of a number of key executives, manages the patent strategy and portfolio of the Company.

Trademarks are important to the Company’s motorcycle business and licensing activities. The Company has a vigorous worldwide program of trademark registration and enforcement to maintain and strengthen the value of the trademarks and prevent the unauthorized use of those trademarks. The HARLEY-DAVIDSON trademark and the Bar and Shield trademark are each highly recognizable to the public and are very valuable assets. Additionally, the Company uses numerous other trademarks, trade names and logos which are registered worldwide. The following are among the Company’s trademarks: HARLEY-DAVIDSON, H-D, HARLEY, the Bar & Shield Logo, MOTORCLOTHES, the MotorClothes Logo, RIDER’S EDGE, HARLEY OWNERS GROUP, H.O.G., the H.O.G. Logo, SOFTAIL, SPORTSTER and V-ROD. The HARLEY-DAVIDSON trademark has been used since 1903 and the Bar and Shield trademark since at least 1910. Substantially all of the Company’s trademarks are owned by H-D U.S.A., LLC, a subsidiary of the Company, which also manages the Company’s trademark strategy and portfolio.

U.S. retail purchasers of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles include both core and outreach customers and are diverse in terms of age, gender and ethnicity. The Company defines its U.S. core customer base as Caucasian men over the age of 35 and its U.S. outreach customers as women, young adults, African-American adults, and Latino adults. In 2011, which is the most recent data available, the Company was the market share leader in U.S. new motorcycle registrations of heavyweight motorcycles within its core and outreach customers. In the U.S., the Company was also the market share leader in 2011 across all (street legal) motorcycle registrations, regardless of engine displacement, within its core and outreach customers. (Source: R. L. Polk & Co. 2011 motorcycle registrations)

In 2012, the average U.S. retail purchaser of a new Harley-Davidson motorcycle had a median household income of approximately $89,500. More than three-quarters of the U.S. retail sales of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles were to purchasers with at least one year of education beyond high school, and 34% of the buyers had college/graduate degrees. (Sources: 2012 Company Studies)

The Company is in the process of implementing its multi-generational and multi-cultural customer marketing strategy outside of the U.S. The Company's definition of core and outreach customers outside the U.S. varies depending on the profile of its customers in each market. In general, the Company defines its core customers outside the U.S. as men over the age of 35 and its outreach customers outside the U.S. as women and young adults.

The Company’s products are marketed to retail customers worldwide primarily through advertising and promotional activities via television, print, radio, direct mailings, as well as electronic advertising and social media. Additionally, local marketing efforts are accomplished through a cooperative program with the Company’s independent dealers.

Customer experiences have traditionally been at the center of much of the Company’s marketing. To attract customers and achieve its goals, the Company not only participates in motorcycle rallies around the world, but also in major motorcycle consumer shows, racing activities, music festivals, mixed martial arts activities and other special promotional events.

Since 1983, the Company has promoted its Harley-Davidson products and the related lifestyle through the Harley Owner’s Group (H.O.G.), which has approximately 1 million members worldwide and the Company believes is the industry’s largest company-sponsored motorcycle enthusiast organization. This group also sponsors many motorcycle events, including rallies and rides for Harley-Davidson motorcycle enthusiasts throughout the world.

In 2000, the Company initiated Rider’s Edge – the Harley-Davidson Academy of Motorcycling. Rider’s Edge offers a series of rider education experiences that provide both new and experienced riders with deeper engagement in the sport of motorcycling by teaching basic and advanced motorcycling skills and knowledge. Since its inception, Rider's Edge has trained more than 300,000 riders. The courses are conducted by a network of select Harley-Davidson dealerships throughout the U.S., enabling students to experience the Harley-Davidson lifestyle, environment, people, and products as they learn.

In 2011, the Company launched a new global Harley-Davidson Authorized Tours Program that offers Harley-Davidson riders the opportunity to experience riding opportunities worldwide. Riders can also rent Harley-Davidson motorcycles worldwide from participating dealers through the Company’s Authorized Rentals Program.

The Company also uses its website (www.harley-davidson.com) to market its products and services.

The Company’s North American region consists of the United States and Canada. In the United States, the Company distributes its motorcycles and related products to a network of independently-owned full-service Harley-Davidson dealerships and the Overseas Military Sales Corporation, an entity that retails the Company’s products to members of the U.S. military. The Company distributes its motorcycles to its dealers in the U.S. based on dealer orders but subject to an allocation system that the Company designed to be forward-looking and market-driven to align the distribution of motorcycles with the demand in individual dealer markets. The allocation system can affect the number of units of particular models that dealers are able to order and the timing of shipments to dealers. In Canada, the Company sells its motorcycles and related products at wholesale to a single independent distributor, Deeley Harley-Davidson Canada/Fred Deeley Imports Ltd., which in turn sells to independent dealers in the Canadian market.

The Company’s operations in the EMEA region are managed out of its Oxford, England regional headquarters. In the EMEA region, the Company distributes all products sold to independent dealers through its subsidiaries located in Austria, Czech Republic, Dubai, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom and three independent distributors located in Greece, Sweden and Finland.

The Company’s operations in the Asia-Pacific region are managed out of its Singapore regional headquarters. In the Asia-Pacific region, the Company distributes all products sold to independent dealers in Australia, China, India and Japan through subsidiaries in those countries. The Company distributes all products sold to independent dealers for the remaining Asia-Pacific markets in which its motorcycles are sold from its U.S. operations.

The Company’s operations in the Latin America region are managed out of its Miami, Florida regional headquarters. The Company distributes all products sold to independent dealers in Mexico and Brazil through subsidiaries in those countries. The Company distributes all products sold to independent dealers for the remaining Latin American markets in which its motorcycles are sold from its U.S. operations.

 

Outside of the U.S., the Company’s strategy calls for the international dealer network to open 100 to 150 new dealerships from the end of 2009 through the end of 2014. Through December 31, 2012, the Company added 93 new international dealers. This excludes international dealers closed in the normal course of business.

The Company has historically produced and shipped motorcycles at wholesale to its North America region dealers at approximately the same level throughout the year. Consequently, the Company’s independent dealers in the North America region typically built their inventory levels in the late fall and winter in anticipation of the spring and summer selling season. As a result of new manufacturing capabilities, discussed more fully below, beginning in the first half of 2013, the Company plans to more closely correlate the timing of motorcycle production and wholesale shipments to the riding season. In advance of the new manufacturing capabilities, wholesale motorcycle shipments in the fourth quarter of 2012 were down compared to the fourth quarter of 2011 and retail inventory of independent dealers in the U.S. was approximately 1,200 units lower than at the end of 2011.

In markets outside of the North America region , the Company typically distributes motorcycles through its local warehouses. This allows the dealers in those markets to carry fewer motorcycles in stock as compared to dealers in the North America region. Consequently, independent dealers and distributors in markets outside of the North America region typically do not build inventory levels in the non-riding season, and as a result, the Company’s wholesale shipments to these markets are generally lower in the non-riding season than in the riding season.

The Company believes that flexible manufacturing processes and flexible supply chains combined with cost-competitive and flexible labor agreements are critical to enabling the Company to respond to customers in a cost effective manner. The restructuring of the Company’s U.S. manufacturing plants, which commenced in 2009, supports the Company’s efforts to become more flexible and cost competitive allowing it to more effectively get the right product at the right time to the customer. Significant restructuring accomplishments include: consolidation of motorcycle production onto a single production line at the Company's motorcycle manufacturing facility in York, Pennsylvania; consolidation of the Wisconsin powertrain production facilities into the Menomonee Falls location; and the ratification of new more flexible labor agreements at all of the Company’s U.S. manufacturing locations. In the first half of 2013, the Company began implementing flexible production capabilities at the York facility by adding flexible workers thus enabling the Company to increase manufacturing production in the first half of 2013 to more closely match retail demand. The Company expects to implement flexible production capabilities at its motorcycle manufacturing facility in Kansas City, Missouri in 2014.

To support the Company’s international growth initiatives, the Company operates two CKD (Complete Knock Down) assembly plants. A CKD plant assembles motorcycles from component kits produced by the Company's U.S. plants and by the Company's suppliers. The Company's first CKD plant is in Brazil and has been in operation since 1999, and its second CKD plant is in India and has been in operation since 2011.

The Company purchases all of its raw materials, principally steel and aluminum castings, forgings, steel sheets and bars. The Company also purchases certain motorcycle components, including, but not limited to, electronic fuel injection systems, batteries, tires, seats, electrical components and instruments. In 2011, the Company announced that it will close New Castalloy, its Australian facility that currently manufactures the majority of the wheels for its motorcycles. The Company is in the process of sourcing these components through existing suppliers, and it anticipates this transition will be completed in 2013. The Company closely monitors the overall viability of its supply base. At this time, the Company does not anticipate difficulties in obtaining raw materials or components.

The Company’s motorcycles that are sold in the United States are subject to certification by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for compliance with applicable emissions and noise standards. Harley-Davidson motorcycle products have been designed to comply with EPA standards and the Company believes it will comply with future requirements when they go into effect. Additionally, the Company’s motorcycle products must comply with the motorcycle emissions, noise and safety standards of Canada, the European Union, Japan, Brazil and certain other foreign markets where they are sold, and the Company believes its products currently comply with those standards. Because the Company expects that environmental standards will become even more stringent over time, the Company will continue to incur some level of research, development and production costs in this area for the foreseeable future.

HDFS is engaged in the business of financing and servicing wholesale inventory receivables and retail consumer loans, primarily for the purchase of Harley-Davidson motorcycles. HDFS is an agent for certain unaffiliated insurance companies providing property/casualty insurance and also sells extended service contracts, gap coverage and debt protection products to motorcycle owners. HDFS conducts business principally in the United States and Canada, and primarily through certain subsidiaries such as Harley-Davidson Credit Corp., Eaglemark Savings Bank, Harley-Davidson Insurance Services, Inc., and Harley-Davidson Financial Services Canada, Inc.

granting activities, including establishing licensing requirements, in applicable jurisdictions; (b) establish maximum interest rates, finance charges and other charges; (c) regulate customers’ insurance coverage; (d) require disclosure of credit and insurance terms to customers; (e) govern secured transactions; (f) set collection, foreclosure, repossession and claims handling procedures and other trade practices; (g) prohibit discrimination in the extension of credit and administration of loans; (h) regulate the use and reporting of information related to a borrower; (i) require certain periodic reporting; (j) govern the use and protection of non-public personal information; (k) regulate the use of information reported to the credit reporting agencies; (l) regulate the reporting of information to the credit reporting agencies; and/or (m) regulate insurance solicitation and sales practices.

Depending on the provisions of the applicable laws and regulations, the interpretation of laws and regulations and the specific facts and circumstances involved, violations of or non-compliance with these laws may limit the ability of HDFS to collect all or part of the principal or interest on applicable loans. In addition, these violations or non-compliance may entitle the borrower to rescind the loan or to obtain a refund of amounts previously paid, could subject HDFS to the payment of damages or penalties and administrative sanctions, including “cease and desist” orders, and could limit the number of loans eligible for HDFS securitization programs.

Such regulatory requirements and associated supervision could limit the discretion of HDFS in operating its business. Noncompliance with applicable statutes or regulations could result in the suspension or revocation of any charter, license or registration at issue, as well as the imposition of civil fines, criminal penalties and administrative sanctions. The Company cannot assure that the applicable laws or regulations will not be amended or construed differently, that new laws and regulations will not be adopted or that interest rates charged by HDFS will not rise to maximum levels permitted by law, the effect of any of which could be to adversely affect the business of HDFS or its results of operations.

A subsidiary of HDFS, Eaglemark Savings Bank (ESB), is a Nevada state thrift chartered as an Industrial Loan Company (ILC). As such, the activities of this subsidiary are governed by federal regulations and State of Nevada banking laws and are subject to examination by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and Nevada state bank examiners. ESB originates retail loans and sells the loans to a non-banking subsidiary of HDFS. This process allows HDFS to offer retail products with many common characteristics across the United States and to similarly service loans to U.S. retail customers.

An investment in Harley-Davidson, Inc. involves risks, including those discussed below. These risk factors should be considered carefully before deciding whether to invest in the Company.

The Company is subject to income and non-income based taxes in the U.S. and in various foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining the Company's worldwide income tax liabilities and other tax liabilities. The Company believes that it complies with applicable tax law. If the governing tax authorities have a different interpretation of the applicable law or if there is a change in tax law, the Company's financial condition and/or results of operations may be adversely affected.

The Company’s domestic sales and operations are subject to governmental policies and regulatory actions of agencies of the United States Government, including the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”), SEC, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Department of Labor and Federal Trade Commission. In addition, the Company’s sales and operations are also subject to laws and actions of state legislatures and other local regulators, including dealer statutes and licensing laws. Changes in regulations or the imposition of additional regulations may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and results of operations.

The Company’s motorcycle products use internal combustion engines. These motorcycle products are subject to statutory and regulatory requirements governing emissions and noise, including standards imposed by the EPA, state regulatory agencies, such as California Air Resources Board, and regulatory agencies in certain foreign countries where the Company’s motorcycle products are sold. The Company is also subject to statutory and regulatory requirements governing emissions and noise in the conduct of the Company’s manufacturing operations. Any significant change to the regulatory requirements governing emissions and noise may substantially increase the cost of manufacturing the Company’s products. If the Company fails to meet existing or new requirements, then the Company may be unable to sell certain products or may be subject to fines or penalties. Further, in response to concerns about global climate changes, the Company may face greater regulatory or customer pressure to develop products that generate less emissions. This may require the Company to spend additional funds on research, product development, and implementation costs and subject the Company to the risk that the Company’s competitors may respond to these pressures in a manner that gives them a competitive advantage.

The Company’s financial services operations are governed by various foreign, federal and state laws that more specifically affect general financial and lending institutions. The financial services operations originate the majority of its consumer loans through its subsidiary, Eaglemark Savings Bank, a Nevada state thrift chartered as an industrial loan company. Congress has previously considered and may in the future impose additional regulation and supervision over the financial services industry.

Depending on the provisions of the applicable laws and regulations, the interpretation of laws and regulations and the specific facts and circumstances involved, violations of or non-compliance with these laws may limit the ability of HDFS to collect all or part of the principal or interest on applicable loans, may entitle the borrower to rescind the loan or obtain a refund of amounts previously paid, could subject HDFS to payment of damages or penalties and administrative sanctions, including "cease and desist" orders, and could limit the number of loans eligible for HDFS securitizations programs. Such regulatory requirements and associated supervision could limit the discretion of HDFS in operating its business. Noncompliance with applicable statutes or regulations could result in the suspension or revocation of any charter, license or registration at issue, as well as the imposition of civil fines, criminal penalties and administrative sanctions. The Company cannot assure that the applicable laws or regulations will not be amended or construed differently, that new laws and regulations will not be adopted or that interest rates charged by HDFS will not rise to maximum levels permitted by law, the effect of any of which could be to adversely affect the business of HDFS or its results of operations.

In 2010, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act was passed into law. The Dodd-Frank Act is a sweeping piece of legislation, and the financial services industry is still assessing the impacts. Congress detailed some significant changes, but the Dodd-Frank Act leaves many details to be determined by regulation and further study. The full impact will not be fully known for months or even years, as regulations that are intended to implement the Dodd-Frank Act are adopted by the appropriate agencies, and the text of the Dodd-Frank Act is analyzed by impacted stakeholders and possibly the courts. The Dodd-Frank Act also created the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (“CFPB”), housed in the Federal Reserve. The CFPB has been granted significant enforcement and rule-making authority in the area of consumer financial products and services. The direction that the CFPB will take, the regulations it will adopt, and its interpretation of existing laws and regulations are all elements that are not yet known. Compliance with the law may be costly and could affect operating results as the implementation of new forms, processes, procedures and controls and infrastructure may be required to comply with the regulations. Compliance may create operational constraints and place limits on pricing. Failure to comply with these regulations, changes in these or other regulations, or the imposition of additional regulations, could affect HDFS’ earnings, limit its access to capital, limit the number of loans eligible for HDFS securitization programs and have a material adverse effect on HDFS’ business and results of operations.

In addition, the Company is also subject to policies and actions of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). Many major competitors of the Company are not subject to the requirements of the SEC or the NYSE rules. As a result, the Company may be required to disclose certain information that may put the Company at a competitive disadvantage to its principal competitors.

The Company disclaims any obligation to update these Risk Factors or any other forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation (and specifically disclaims any such obligation) to update these Risk Factors or any other forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changes in assumptions or other factors affecting such forward-looking statements.

None.

 

The Financial Services segment has three office facilities: Chicago, Illinois (corporate headquarters); Plano, Texas (wholesale and retail operations); and Carson City, Nevada (retail and insurance operations).

The Company is subject to lawsuits and other claims related to environmental, product and other matters. In determining required reserves related to these items, the Company carefully analyzes cases and considers the likelihood of adverse judgments or outcomes, as well as the potential range of possible loss. The required reserves are monitored on an ongoing basis and are updated based on new developments or new information in each matter.

Environmental Protection Agency Notice

In December 2009, the Company received formal, written requests for information from the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding: (i) certificates of conformity for motorcycle emissions and related designations and labels, (ii) aftermarket parts, and (iii) warranty claims on emissions related components. The Company promptly submitted written responses to the EPA’s inquiry and engaged in discussions with the EPA. It is possible that a result of the EPA’s investigation will be some form of enforcement action by the EPA that will seek a fine or other relief. However, at this time the Company does not know and cannot reasonably estimate the impact of any remedies the EPA might seek.

York Environmental Matters:

The Company is involved with government agencies and groups of potentially responsible parties in various environmental matters, including a matter involving the cleanup of soil and groundwater contamination at its York, Pennsylvania facility. The York facility was formerly used by the U.S. Navy and AMF prior to the purchase of the York facility by the Company from AMF in 1981. Although the Company is not certain as to the full extent of the environmental contamination at the York facility, it has been working with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) since 1986 in undertaking environmental investigation and remediation activities, including an ongoing site-wide remedial investigation/feasibility study (RI/FS). In January 1995, the Company entered into a settlement agreement (the Agreement) with the Navy. The Agreement calls for the Navy and the Company to contribute amounts into a trust equal to 53% and 47%, respectively, of future costs associated with environmental investigation and remediation activities at the York facility (Response Costs). The trust administers the payment of the Response Costs incurred at the York facility as covered by the Agreement.

In February 2002, the Company was advised by the EPA that it considers some of the Company’s remediation activities at the York facility to be subject to the EPA’s corrective action program under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and offered the Company the option of addressing corrective action under a RCRA facility lead agreement. In July 2005, the York facility was designated as the first site in Pennsylvania to be addressed under the “One Cleanup Program.” The program provides a more streamlined and efficient oversight of voluntary remediation by both PADEP and EPA and will be carried out consistent with the Agreement with the Navy. As a result, the RCRA facility lead agreement has been superseded.

The estimate of the Company’s future Response Costs that will be incurred at the York facility is based on reports of independent environmental consultants retained by the Company, the actual costs incurred to date and the estimated costs to complete the necessary investigation and remediation activities. Response Costs related to the remediation of soil are expected to be incurred primarily over a period of several years ending in 2015. Response Costs related to ground water remediation may continue for some time beyond 2015.

Product Liability Matters:

Additionally, the Company is involved in product liability suits related to the operation of its business. The Company accrues for claim exposures that are probable of occurrence and can be reasonably estimated. The Company also maintains insurance coverage for product liability exposures. The Company believes that its accruals and insurance coverage are adequate and that product liability will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Not Applicable

PART II

 

Harley-Davidson, Inc. common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. The high and low market prices for the common stock, reported as New York Stock Exchange, Inc. Composite Transactions, were as follows:

 

The Company paid the following dividends per share:

 

 

From time to time, the Company may enter into a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan for the purpose of repurchasing shares under either the 1997 or 2007 authorization.

Item 12 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K contains certain information relating to the Company’s equity compensation plans.

The following information in this Item 5 is not deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the SEC or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates it by reference into such a filing: the SEC requires the Company to include a line graph presentation comparing cumulative five year Common Stock returns with a broad-based stock index and either a nationally recognized industry index or an index of peer companies selected by the Company. The Company has chosen to use the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index as the broad-based index and the Standard & Poor’s MidCap 400 Index as a more specific comparison. The Standard & Poor’s MidCap 400 Index was chosen because the Company does not believe that any other published industry or line-of-business index adequately represents the current operations of the Company. The graph assumes a beginning investment of $100 on December 31, 2007 and that all dividends are reinvested.

 

 

The Company operates in two business segments: Motorcycles & Related Products (Motorcycles) and Financial Services (Financial Services). The Company’s reportable segments are strategic business units that offer different products and services. They are managed separately based on the fundamental differences in their operations.

The “% Change” figures included in the “Results of Operations” section were calculated using unrounded dollar amounts and may differ from calculations using the rounded dollar amounts presented.

 

                        

The Company expects to implement surge manufacturing capabilities at its Kansas City, Missouri (Kansas City) facility in 2014. Consequently, the Company expects U.S. retail inventory to be slightly lower on a year over year basis at the end of 2013 as dealers more closely align inventory with the seasonal low point for retail sales in advance of the expected surge manufacturing capability at the Kansas City facility.

The Company believes operating income from financial services in 2013 will be modestly lower than 2012 as the business benefited from $17 million in credit loss allowance releases which may not repeat in 2013. In addition, the Company expects changing consumer behavior, HDFS' funding of additional prudently structured loans in the near-prime and sub-prime segments and lower recoveries resulting from lower charge-offs in prior periods to result in modestly higher credit losses in 2013.

In February 2011, the Company’s unionized employees at its facility in Kansas City, Missouri ratified a new seven-year labor agreement. The new agreement took effect on August 1, 2011. The new contract is similar to the labor agreements ratified

at the Company’s Wisconsin facilities in September 2010 and its York facility in December 2009, and allows for similar flexibility, increased production efficiency and the addition of a flexible workforce component.

2010 Restructuring Plan

In September 2010, the Company’s unionized employees in Wisconsin ratified three separate new seven-year labor agreements which took effect in April 2012 when the prior contracts expired. The new contracts are similar to the labor agreement ratified at York in December 2009 and allow for similar flexibility, increased production efficiency and the addition of a flexible workforce component.

2009 Restructuring Plan

During 2009, in response to the U.S. economic recession and worldwide slowdown in consumer demand, the Company committed to a volume reduction and a combination of restructuring actions that were expected to be completed at various dates between 2009 and 2012. The actions were designed to reduce administrative costs, eliminate excess capacity and exit non-core business operations. The Company’s announced actions include the restructuring and transformation of its York production facility including the implementation of a new more flexible unionized labor agreement which allows for the addition of a flexible workforce component; consolidation of facilities related to engine and transmission production; outsourcing of certain distribution and transportation activities and exiting the Buell product line. In addition, the Company implemented projects under this plan involving the outsourcing of select information technology activities and the consolidation of an administrative office in Michigan into its corporate headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Restructuring Costs and Savings

The Company anticipates annual ongoing total savings from restructuring activities initiated since early 2009 of approximately $320 million upon completion of all announced restructuring activities. The Company has realized or estimates that it will realize cumulative savings from these restructuring activities, measured against 2008, as follows:

Consolidated Results

 

Motorcycles and Related Products Segment

Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Retail Sales

The following table includes retail unit sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles:

Heavyweight (651+cc)

 

 

The following table includes industry retail motorcycle registration data:

 

 

Motorcycle Unit Shipments

The following table includes wholesale motorcycle unit shipments for the Motorcycles segment:

 

 

During 2012, wholesale shipments of Harley-Davidson motorcycles were up 6.2% compared to the prior year and within the Company’s most recent expected shipment range of 245,000 to 250,000 motorcycles. As expected, wholesale motorcycle shipments in the fourth quarter of 2012 were down compared to the fourth quarter of 2011 in advance of the launch of seasonal surge manufacturing at the Company's York facility in early 2013. Consequently, retail inventory in the U.S. was approximately 1,200 units lower than at the end of 2011.

The following table includes the condensed statement of operations for the Motorcycles segment (in thousands):

 

The following table includes the estimated impact of the significant factors affecting the comparability of net revenue, cost of goods sold and gross profit from 2011 to 2012 (in millions):

 

The following factors affected the comparability of net revenue, cost of goods sold and gross profit from 2011 to 2012:

Financial Services Segment

Segment Results

The following table includes the condensed statements of operations for the Financial Services segment (in thousands):

 

Interest income decreased during 2012 primarily due to lower average retail finance receivables outstanding. Interest expense benefited from lower debt levels related to lower average retail finance receivables outstanding, a more favorable cost of funds, and a $5.3 million lower loss on the extinguishment of medium-term notes as compared to 2011.

The provision for credit losses was unfavorable by $5.2 million in 2012 as compared to 2011. The retail motorcycle provision increased by $6.6 million on smaller allowance releases during 2012 as compared to 2011, although both years experienced favorable credit performance. The provision for credit losses related to wholesale motorcycle finance receivables increased by $3.0 million in 2012 primarily due to larger dealer performance-related allowance releases in 2011 as compared to 2012. The wholesale and retail motorcycle provision increases were offset by decreases in the provision for credit losses related to other retail receivables.

Changes in the allowance for credit losses on finance receivables were as follows (in thousands):

 

At December 31, 2012, the allowance for credit losses on finance receivables was $101.4 million for retail receivables and $6.2 million for wholesale receivables. At December 31, 2011, the allowance for credit losses on finance receivables was $116.1 million for retail receivables and $9.3 million for wholesale receivables.

HDFS’ periodic evaluation of the adequacy of the allowance for credit losses on finance receivables is generally based on HDFS’ past loan loss experience, known and inherent risks in the portfolio, current economic conditions and the estimated value of any underlying collateral. Please refer to Note 6 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion regarding the Company’s allowance for credit losses on finance receivables.