Harley-Davidson stops LiveWire production due to a problem with the charging technology
Harley-Davidson has temporarily stopped production of the LiveWire. Problems have arisen with other charging stations that were not noticed during quality control at the factory.
The problem with the charging technology must first be resolved before production can start again. According to an official statement on US broadcaster CNBC, it is not yet clear when that will be.
Harley-Davidson recommends only charging the LiveWire at an HD dealer.
Harley-Davidson has announced that this problem also exists with the LiveWire models that have already been delivered. Customers are advised to initially only charge directly at the available charging stations directly at the Harley-Davidson dealer.
Slow sales are not the reason.
There should be no connection between the slow start to sales of the LiveWire and the production stop. At the end of the season, Harley-Davidson did not expect a run on the first electric motorcycle from the traditional manufacturer. There is great interest, but the price puts customers off a bit. In Germany, the LiveWire starts at €32,995 (as of October 15, 2019).
The LiveWire is just the beginning of the Harley-Davidson e-bike project
For Harley-Davidson, the step into electromobility is a large and long-term project. Completely new structures and investments are being created that extend to the Harley-Davidson dealer.
At the HD Dealer, all requirements must be implemented that make it possible to maintain a compliant workshop for e-bikes. The workshop employees receive intensive training on a completely different subject. The company has extensive requirements for authorized Harley-Davidson dealers that must be met in order to be able to offer sales and service of the LiveWire.
An insurance for the LiveWire
Harley-Davidson Insurance Services has launched Elektro Plus insurance module for LiveWire . This even covers towing to the next charging station if the battery is empty!
The path to e-mobility is an investment in a market that will develop for two-wheelers in the long term. In contrast to the market for heavy vehicles such as cars and trucks, in the long term the market will be more oriented towards hydrogen propulsion, as the Hyundai company is currently showing in a major project in Switzerland. (ext. web link hydrogen truck) .
Harley-Davidson is a pioneer
Harley-Davidson's actual customer base is generally difficult to get used to new models; everything that is new is often demonized in the scene and on social media. But that was already the case with the EVO's and the same with the first Twin Cam engines and the V-Rod. This will only go away over time; with e-bikes it will certainly take a little longer, but in general Harley-Davidson is a pioneer in this area.
