1. Historically, how did Harley-Davidson manage to dominate the U.S. market? How did it do so and what were its sources of competitive advantage? And starting in the 1970s Harley-Davidson got into trouble, what changed? Internally? Externally?
2. What were the major ingredients of Harley-Davidson’s transformation process? What elements seemed to you to be the most important? What is your evaluation of the transformation process?
3. What are Harley’s current sources of competitive advantage? Can these be sustained in light of the latest competitor moves? If you are Honda, where do you think Harley-Davidson is vulnerable? What is the Harley mystique?
4. What are challenges facing Harley-Davidson as it enters the 21st century? What is your evaluation of their current strategy? What specific recommendations do you have for Jeff Bluestein? Short-term? Long-term?