Harley Davidson in Vietnam?
May 25th, 2006 by Paul Crowe - "The Kneeslider"
Trade negotiations between the U.S. and Vietnam succeeded in lowering or eliminating the barriers for selling Harley Davidson motorcycles in Vietnam.
In addition to lifting an outright ban on large displacement motorcycles, Vietnam will adopt a basic and transparent motorcycle operators licensing system, relax distribution restrictions and reduce tariffs on heavyweight (650cc-plus engine displacement) motorcycles by 60 percent over time.
Though Harley Davidson has not announced any immediate intention of setting up shop in Vietnam, the recent Beijing dealership in China shows the company’s interest in doing business in Asia. For those of us old enough to remember that little altercation between our two countries, this is pretty amazing. Times do change.
Link: Auto Service World
The Kneeslider: Harley Davidson Beijing Dealer Visit
Posted in Economics and Politics, Motorcycle Business
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7 Responses to “Harley Davidson in Vietnam?”
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May 25th, 2006 at 6:47 pm
Of course I’m sure Harley has figured out how to get it so that only H-D’s are not restricted. Remember how Harley was successful at getting the US to place heavy tariffs and import restrictions on bikes over 700cc? As soon as other manufacturers catch on they just might undermine Harleys efforts and out-sell them in Vietnam.
-todd
May 26th, 2006 at 12:49 am
Can’t imagine anyone in Vietnam being able to afford a Harley, unless they plan on marketing 125cc bikes.
May 21st, 2007 at 7:33 pm
Having traveled extensively in Vietnam and endured the relentless choking traffic, I cannot imagine any place where a Harley would be of any use other than as a poser’s status symbol. Anything larger than a 250cc is totally impractical for weaving through the traffic or parking in the tight spaces. Also that big air cooled motor is not suitable for idling away in the hot humid traffic chaos. Most of all, who can afford a Harley when most people are struggling to afford anything more than a 125cc Honda Dream or the Chinese equivalent.
July 22nd, 2007 at 8:37 pm
I’m vietnamese and live in CaMau town southest of vietnam country, after vietnam joined to WTO i have only dream is buy one of brand new harley-davidson, now i waitting for harley-davidson dealer open in SaiGon, event tax of motor cycle under 705cc is 90% and 100% for up 750cc, i need fatboy.
July 25th, 2007 at 11:38 pm
Thank! i’m birth after 1975 but i know our history of US and VN, i hope we forgot what happened in the past and we just forward to the future, i hope US and VN have more and more business buy and sell more goods from each other country, I love US and i would the American understand in south VN there are 99% people not VC, me too. :))
September 15th, 2007 at 4:06 pm
Great news! maybe I’ll apply for a job if they build in Saigon. In a more pressing matter, how do I import my ‘82 Sturgis (Dealer Presentation Model !)into the country. My Viet wife and I own property in Vietnam and I want my bike over there. Any tips for doing this ?
March 8th, 2008 at 10:40 am
Vietnam officially allowed imports of brand-new (no second-hand, except foreigners with valid working visas import for their personal use) in May 2007. However, 90% import tax, 10% VAT and a huge fees on registration generally make a large displacement bike twice as expensive as it would cost in your country. Here are prices of some popular models:
- Honda CBR 1,000cc: over 22,000$US.
- Honda XR 250cc: over 12,000$US.
- Honda XR 400cc: over 15,000$US.
- Harley V-Rod 883cc: over 18,000$US.
Will you be ready to pay that much for one of these bikes to ride in a country where speed limit is from 25 to 80km/h, mostly 60km/h? The answer is no doubt a big “NO, NO”. Enough explained and said.