HD Seeking Federal Bank Bailout Funds

[Sidecar Flip]

And... I am VERY interested in a different radiator screen..

Very soon now. They are being laser cut this week. 3 distinct models for the Standard, Classic and Touring.

There is a fellow in Chandler, Arizonia with a Touring that already has his name on one........

 

[Gunshots]

OMG everyone missed the whole point.... FLIP quit smokin

 

[Sidecar Flip]

particulates....

OMG everyone missed the whole point.... FLIP quit smokin

I admit it, I did. From 2 packs to zip in one shot. No gum, no pills, nuth'in. I didn't quit because I don't like to smoke because I do. I quit because the end game isn't all that pleasant. That's not to say I won't bum a smoke once in a while or have a good cigar, it will say that I'm not going to fire up a square every morning with my coffee and put half a pack in the bag by lunchtime...those days are gone, forever.

No, I'm not going to become one of those no smoking chest thumpers. This country is getting oppressive enough without that crap.

Went to a beanery the other day and the girl asked me if I preferred smoking or no smoking. I replied that all the air in the place circulated through the same air handler so I could care less.

Jamie....

One thing that affected Cat was their exit from the Class 8 market which undoubtedly left a huge hole in the manufacturing capacity. Most times, government mandates border on insane in their scope of objectives. Diesels are inherently dirty as far as particulates go so there is really no economical fix. Longevity and low emissions don't go hand in hand and Cat's were always an engine with a long service life, so maybe it was the right move. Only time will tell I guess. MB/DDEC, Volvo, Cummins and Vo-Mac are all having compliance problems and longevity issues. I suspect that JD is too in as much as the JD compliance engines look very similar to DDEC in componentry.

 

[Xchoppers]

I quit cold turkey 31 years ago after smoking a pack a day for 11 years.
I can't stand cigarette smoke now.
I wish people wouldn't stand in doorways to smoke.

 

[TonyMac]

Latest HD news

Latest HD news...............................

H-D Sells Off $600 Million of Senior Unsecured Notes - Dealernews

H-D Sells Off $600 Million of Senior Unsecured Notes
Publish date: Feb 3, 2009

Harley-Davidson Inc. today priced an offering of $600 million of its senior unsecured notes as part of the company's plan to fund the ongoing motorcycle lending activities of its wholly owned finance company, Harley-Davidson Financial Services (HDFS).

Davis Selected Advisers, L.P., a long-time investor in Harley-Davidson, Inc. and the largest holder of company stock, and Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. each committed to purchase equal portions of the aggregate principal amount of the notes.​

The offering is being made under the H-D's existing shelf registration for public offerings of securities, including debt. The notes will be due in 2014 and will bear interest at a rate of 15 percent per annum.​

HDFS makes wholesale loans to dealers and retail loans to consumers. HDFS recorded an operating loss of $24.9 million for the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, 2008, $63.5 million lower than the operating income in the year-ago quarter.​

"This offering represents an important next step in executing our stated strategy for funding the lending activities of HDFS," said Tom Bergmann, Chief Financial Officer of Harley-Davidson, Inc and Interim President of HDFS.​

"Our priorities for HDFS in 2009 are to continue to obtain funding for its lending activities, manage credit losses in this challenging environment and provide support to the Harley-Davidson dealer network," Bergmann said in a statement accompanying the OEM’s year-end financial statement released late last month.​

The offering was arranged by Morgan Stanley. Citigroup, Deutsche Bank Securities, J.P. Morgan and Morgan Stanley acted as lead underwriters for the transaction.​

 

[TonyMac]

Warren Buffet invests $300m in Harley-Davidson

Warren Buffet invests $300m in Harley-Davidson - Autoblog

Warren Buffet invests $300m in Harley-Davidson
by Jeremy Korzeniewski on Feb 4th 2009 at 9:00AM
Harley-Davidson has announced that Warren Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway group will invest $300 million in the motorcycle maker by through a purchasee of senior unsecured notes that will mature in 2014. These funds match a similar investment by Davis Selected Advisers, L.P., which is already the largest holder of company stock. Harley-Davidson will use the money to bolster its lending services, hopefully making it easier for the trouble motorcycle maker to lend cash to consumers. Berkshire Hathaway will reportedly receive a hefty 15% annual interest rate on the investment.
The markets have responded to the news rather favorably, with H-D shares hitting $13.56 in trading yesterday afternoon – a 14% increase from where they started the day. Just about a week ago, H-D announced a plan to shed 10% of its workforce. This move marks the first time that Buffet has ever invested in the company.

 

[Jamie]

A Free Buffet?

Berkshire Hathaway will reportedly receive a hefty 15% annual interest rate on the investment.

Investment which, one is tempted to surmise, is predicated upon an imminent Federal bail-out which will ultimately fuel such a hefty return

Jamie

 

[tdragger]

Buffet's strategy has always been Buy when others are Selling and Sell when others are Buying.