Late last week a rumor began to circulate that Honda Motor Co. (NYSE: HMC) was pursuing a buyout of Harley-Davidson (NYSE: HOG). On the strength of the speculation, HOG stock jumped almost $3, closing the week at $62.55.
Honda has issued a strongly worded denial of such interest, and I believe it. Harley and Honda would be a bad fit for several reasons.
Culture: Harley's success is not mechanical, but cultural. The cachet surrounding the brand depends on its individuality, and the brand would not survive the subordination of it within a larger entity. Most Harley riders treasure the knowledge that the company is still American owned, at least in part, and among those in control are members of the original Davidson family such as Willie G.
The Week in Preview: FedEx vs. Nike, Gamestop, Discover
Ford Seeks to Lay Down the Law with New Police Interceptor
Comfort Zone Investing: Four Powerful Numbers for Picking Stock Winners
