Harley-Davidson sees growth in Q4 and fiscal 2012

A strong fourth-quarter 2012 capped a year of gains for Harley-Davidson, Inc., marked by solid growth in earnings and retail new motorcycle sales.

Fourth-quarter income from continuing operations was $70.6 million on consolidated revenue of $1.17 billion, compared to income from continuing operations in the year-ago period of $54.6 million on consolidated revenue of $1.18 billion. For the full year, Harley-Davidson income from continuing operations was $623.9 million on consolidated revenue of $5.58 billion, compared to full-year 2011 income from continuing operations of $548.1 million on consolidated revenue of $5.31 billion.

Worldwide retail sales of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles grew 7.5 percent in the quarter and 6.2 percent for the full year, compared to the year-ago periods.

“Thanks to the outstanding efforts of our employees, dealers and suppliers, Harley-Davidson achieved its growth and restructuring goals in 2012,” chairman, president and CEO Keith Wandell said in a press release.

For the full year 2012, retail unit sales of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles grew 6.2 percent worldwide, with increases of 6.6 percent in the U.S. and 5.6 percent internationally compared to 2011. Dealers sold 249,849 new Harley-Davidson motorcycles worldwide in 2012.

In the fourth quarter, retail sales of new Harley-Davidson motorcycles increased 7.5 percent worldwide, compared to the prior-year period, with unit sales up 8.4 percent in the U.S. and up 6.3 percent in international markets. Dealers sold 43,405 new Harley-Davidson motorcycles worldwide in the quarter.