Statement from Harley-Davidson Cologne / Bonn on the judgment of the Frankfurt am Main Higher Regional Court

Cologne/Bonn – January 27, 2022 // With its decision of January 20, 2022, the Frankfurt Higher Regional Court initially obliges Harley-Davidson to continue to fulfill its contractual obligations - and to immediately enable our cities of Cologne and Bonn to serve customers in... to continue to serve you in every respect as an authorized specialist dealer, as we have done for many years without any complaints and successfully. This sends a clear message.

We do not want to deny that we received the OLG's decision with great relief and satisfaction - but the bottom line is that we hope, for many reasons, that this will also pave the way for objectifying the discussion and making decisions with our long-standing licensor. And in the end it enables us to plan for the future again. In any case, our hand remains outstretched and the door remains open.

This decision currently means that our orders for new bikes and (replacement) parts are carried out unhindered, software and systems are accessible and overall delivery is ensured - and thus seamless, local service for Harley riders from all over the world Greater Cologne/Bonn area. That is very important to us.

At the same time, it is very important to us that almost 50 jobs in our companies, in which strong, committed, brand-loving and competent employees and trainees from many nations work, have now become a lot safer and have a new perspective.

And last but not least, we hope that the OLG decision will also sharpen the sense of responsibility and a sense of proportion among those who express themselves on “social media” - with the result, among other things, that completely uninvolved people will be insulted, insulted and abused even in their private lives be pursued - even if only on the basis of a coincidental similarity of names.

Conclusion from Daniela Kierdorf and Jan Schneider (responsible managing directors in Cologne and Bonn): “The Frankfurt Higher Regional Court has laid the foundation for finally getting out of a situation that actually only knew losers, both internally and externally, and creating a new beginning everyone could benefit. Above all, the Harley-Davidson brand and its many friends in the Rhineland, who are also our customers. This can be achieved quickly and successfully if we tackle things together, think and act in a solution-oriented manner - and finally leave the “us versus us” loop again. The requirements have now been outlined by the Higher Regional Court. Both sides should recognize this – and use it to restart.”

Text: Harley-Davidson Cologne January 28, 2022