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Harley-Davidson Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results for 2007


PHOTO

MILWAUKEE, Jan. 25, 2008 -- Harley-Davidson, Inc. today announced its results for the fourth quarter and the year ended December 31, 2007. Revenue for the quarter was $1.39 billion compared to $1.50 billion in the year-ago quarter, a 7.7 percent decline. Net income for the quarter was $186.1 million compared to $252.4 million, down 26.3 percent versus the fourth quarter of 2006. Fourth quarter diluted earnings per share were $0.78, a 19.6 percent decrease compared to $0.97 in the fourth quarter of last year. During the fourth quarter the Company repurchased $153.3 million of its common stock.

Revenue for the full year 2007 was $5.73 billion compared to $5.80 billion in 2006, a 1.3 percent decline. For the full year, wholesale shipments of Harley-Davidson(R) motorcycles were 330,619 units, a 5.3 percent decrease compared to 2006. Diluted earnings per share were $3.74, declining 4.8 percent compared to 2006.

"Harley-Davidson managed through a weak U.S. economy during 2007," said Jim Ziemer, Chief Executive Officer of Harley-Davidson, Inc. "As we announced in September, we reduced our wholesale motorcycle shipment plan for the fourth quarter, fulfilling our commitment to our dealers to ship fewer Harley-Davidson motorcycles than we expected our dealers worldwide to sell at retail during 2007," said Ziemer.

"While these are challenging times in the U.S., our international dealer network delivered double digit retail sales growth in the fourth quarter and for the full year of 2007. And our customers around the world have a lot to look forward to this year with the new motorcycles we are bringing to market, the opening of the Harley-Davidson Museum, and hundreds of rides and events leading up to our 105th Anniversary Celebration in Milwaukee this summer," he said.

For 2008, the Company once again plans to ship fewer Harley-Davidson motorcycles than it expects its worldwide dealer network to sell. The Company also expects moderate revenue growth, lower operating margin, and a diluted earnings per share growth rate of 4 to 7 percent compared to 2007. For the first quarter, it expects to ship between 68,000 and 72,000 Harley-Davidson motorcycles, which compares to 67,761 units in the first quarter of 2007.

"Looking ahead, we will continue to manage the Company to generate long-term sustainable shareholder value while protecting the brand. We expect the U.S. economy to continue to be very challenging in 2008, and we will closely monitor the retail environment and regularly assess our wholesale shipments throughout the year," said Ziemer.

Motorcycles and Related Products Segment -- Fourth Quarter Results

Revenue from Harley-Davidson motorcycles was $1.12 billion, a decrease of $105.5 million or 8.6 percent versus the same period last year. Shipments of Harley-Davidson motorcycles totaled 81,206 units, a decrease of 11,642 units or 12.5 percent compared to last year's fourth quarter.

Revenue from Parts and Accessories (P&A), which consists of Genuine Motor Parts and Genuine Motor Accessories, totaled $165.2 million, a decrease of $14.0 million or 7.8 percent from the year-ago quarter. Revenue from General Merchandise, which consists of MotorClothes(R) apparel and collectibles, totaled $73.4 million, an increase of $2.8 million or 4.0 percent over the year-ago quarter.

Gross margin for the fourth quarter of 2007 was 35.7 percent of revenue compared to 38.0 percent for the fourth quarter last year. Fourth quarter operating margin decreased to 18.1 percent from 22.5 percent in the fourth quarter of 2006.

Motorcycle Retail Sales Data

During the fourth quarter, worldwide retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles decreased 6.1 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2006. U.S. retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles decreased 14.2 percent for the quarter. The heavyweight motorcycle market in the U.S. decreased 9.0 percent for the same period.

Retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles increased 17.4 percent in the Company's international markets during the fourth quarter of 2007 compared to the fourth quarter of 2006. Fourth quarter retail sales increased 10.9 percent in Europe; Canada was up 45.9 percent; and Japan was up 4.5 percent. All other international markets combined were up 28.6 percent.

For the full year of 2007, worldwide retail sales of Harley-Davidson motorcycles decreased 1.8 percent compared to the prior year. In the U.S., Harley-Davidson dealer retail sales decreased 6.2 percent for the full year; international retail sales increased by 13.7 percent. The U.S. heavyweight motorcycle market was down 5.0 percent for the full year of 2007.

  Additional data is listed in the accompanying tables.

  Financial Services Segment

Harley-Davidson Financial Services (HDFS) reported fourth quarter operating income of $38.6 million, a decrease of $9.1 million or 19.1 percent compared to the year ago quarter. The decrease is primarily due to a $6.4 million write-down of retained securitization interests.

Income Tax Rate

The Company's fourth quarter effective income tax rate was 35.5 percent compared to 35.1 percent in the same quarter last year. Fourth quarter 2006 effective income tax rate was lower primarily due to the retroactive reinstatement of the federal research and development tax credit.

Harley-Davidson, Inc. -- Twelve Month Results

For the full year 2007, Harley-Davidson motorcycle revenue was $4.45 billion, a decrease of $106.9 million compared to 2006. P&A revenue totaled $868.3 million, a 0.7 percent increase over last year's $862.3 million. General Merchandise revenue totaled $305.4 million, a 10.1 percent increase compared to $277.5 million during 2006.

HDFS operating income was $212.2 million, a 0.7 percent increase over last year's $210.7 million.

Cash Flow

Cash and marketable securities totaled $405.3 million as of December 31, 2007. Cash flow from operations was $798.1 million, and capital expenditures were $242.1 million during the full year of 2007. In 2008, capital expenditures are expected to be between $240 and $260 million.

Stock Repurchase

The Company repurchased 3.2 million shares of its common stock at a cost of $153.3 million during the fourth quarter of 2007. For the full year 2007, the Company repurchased 20.4 million shares at a total cost of $1.15 billion. On December 31, 2007, the Company had 238.5 million shares of common stock outstanding.

As of December 31, 2007, there are 23.1 million shares remaining on board-approved share repurchase authorizations. An additional board-approved share repurchase authorization is in place to offset option exercises.

Company Background

Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company for the group of companies doing business as Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Buell Motorcycle Company and Harley-Davidson Financial Services. Harley-Davidson Motor Company, the only major U.S.-based motorcycle manufacturer, produces heavyweight motorcycles and offers a complete line of motorcycle parts, accessories, apparel, and general merchandise. Buell Motorcycle Company produces sport motorcycles. Harley-Davidson Financial Services provides wholesale and retail financing and insurance programs to Harley-Davidson dealers and their retail customers.

                            Harley-Davidson, Inc.
                 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
                   (In thousands, except per share amounts)

                             (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited)
                                Three months ended     Twelve months ended
                              December    December    December     December
                              31, 2007    31, 2006    31, 2007     31, 2006

  Net revenue                $1,386,354  $1,502,633  $5,726,848  $5,800,686
  Gross profit                  494,534     571,052   2,114,100   2,232,847
  Operating expenses            243,945     233,073     883,457     823,857
   Operating income from
    motorcycles & related
    products                    250,589     337,979   1,230,643   1,408,990

  Financial services income      96,232      93,079     416,196     384,891
  Financial services expense     57,678      45,433     204,027     174,167
  Operating income from
   financial services            38,554      47,646     212,169     210,724

  Corporate expenses              3,488       5,838      17,251      22,561
  Income from operations        285,655     379,787   1,425,561   1,597,153
  Investment income, net          2,826       8,945      22,258      27,087
  Income before provision
   for income taxes             288,481     388,732   1,447,819   1,624,240
  Provision for income taxes    102,404     136,306     513,976     581,087
  Net income                   $186,077    $252,426    $933,843  $1,043,153

  Earnings per common share:
   Basic                          $0.78       $0.98       $3.75       $3.94
   Diluted                        $0.78       $0.97       $3.74       $3.93

  Weighted-average common shares:
   Basic                        239,390     258,138     249,205     264,453
   Diluted                      239,845     259,158     249,882     265,273

  Cash dividends per
   common share                   $0.30       $0.21       $1.06       $0.81

                            Harley-Davidson, Inc.
                    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
                               (In thousands)

                                                       (Unaudited)
                                              December 31,      December 31,
                                                  2007              2006

  ASSETS
  Current Assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents                    $402,854          $238,397
   Marketable securities                           2,475           658,133
   Accounts receivable, net                      181,217           143,049
   Finance receivables held for sale             781,280           547,106
   Finance receivables held for
    investment, net                            1,575,283         1,554,260
   Inventories                                   349,697           287,798
   Other current assets                          174,508           121,890
  Total current assets                         3,467,314         3,550,633

  Finance receivables held for
   investment, net                               845,044           725,957
  Other long-term assets                       1,344,248         1,255,560
                                              $5,656,606        $5,532,150

  LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
  Current liabilities:
   Accounts payable & accrued liabilities       $785,124          $763,186
   Current portion of finance debt             1,119,955           832,491
  Total current liabilities                    1,905,079         1,595,677

  Finance debt                                   980,000           870,000
  Postretirement healthcare benefits             192,531           201,126
  Other long-term liabilities                    203,505           108,610

  Total shareholders' equity                   2,375,491         2,756,737
                                              $5,656,606        $5,532,150

                            Harley-Davidson, Inc.
               Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
                                (In thousands)

                                       (Unaudited)
                                                 Twelve months ended
                                           December    December    December
                                           31, 2007    31, 2006    31, 2005

  Net cash provided by operating
   activities                              $798,146    $761,780    $962,614

  Cash flows from investing activities:
    Capital expenditures                   (242,113)   (219,602)   (198,389)
    Finance receivables held for
     investment, net                       (145,381)   (151,624)   (156,438)
    Collection of retained
     securitization interests               118,175     101,641     115,346
    Net change in marketable securities     657,735     253,512     431,075
    Other, net                                2,789     (19,186)      2,246
  Net cash provided by (used by)
   investing activities                     391,205     (35,259)    193,840

  Cash flows from financing activities:
    Proceeds from issuance of medium
     term notes                             398,144           -     199,974
    Net (decrease) increase in
     finance-credit facilities
     and commercial paper                   (16,247)    493,125    (280,694)
    Repayment of senior subordinated
     debt                                   (30,000)          -           -
    Dividends                              (260,805)   (212,914)   (173,785)
    Purchase of common stock for
     treasury                            (1,153,439) (1,061,968) (1,054,615)
    Excess tax benefits from
     share-based payments                     3,066      18,933       6,065
    Issuance of common stock under
     employee stock option plans             21,478     125,801      31,264
  Net cash used by financing activities  (1,037,803)   (637,023) (1,271,791)

  Effect of exchange rate changes on
   cash and cash equivalents                 12,909       7,924     (18,847)

  Net increase (decrease) in cash and
   cash equivalents                         164,457      97,422    (134,184)

  Cash and cash equivalents:
    At beginning of period                  238,397     140,975     275,159
    At end of period                       $402,854    $238,397    $140,975

                         Net Revenue and Motorcycle
                                Shipment Data

                             (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Unaudited)
                               Three months ended     Twelve months ended
                              December     December   December    December
                              31, 2007     31, 2006   31, 2007    31, 2006
  NET REVENUE (in thousands)
  Harley-Davidson(R)
   motorcycles               $1,118,328  $1,223,861  $4,446,637  $4,553,561
  Buell(R) motorcycles           27,739      27,401     100,534     102,227
  Parts & Accessories           165,190     179,151     868,297     862,251
  General Merchandise            73,424      70,617     305,435     277,490
  Other                           1,673       1,603       5,945       5,157
                             $1,386,354  $1,502,633  $5,726,848  $5,800,686

  HARLEY-DAVIDSON UNITS
  Motorcycle shipments:
    United States                59,092      74,492     241,539     273,212
    Export                       22,114      18,356      89,080      75,984
  Total                          81,206      92,848     330,619     349,196

  Motorcycle product mix:
    Touring                      29,142      32,530     114,076     123,444
    Custom                       34,931      44,591     144,507     161,195
    Sportster(R)                 17,133      15,727      72,036      64,557
  Total                          81,206      92,848     330,619     349,196

  BUELL UNITS
  Motorcycle shipments:
    Buell                         3,137       3,355      11,513      12,460

               Retail Sales of Harley-Davidson Motorcycles
                          Year to Date December

                                                              2007     2006

  United States                                            251,772  268,366
  Europe*                                                   38,866   33,786
  Japan                                                     13,765   13,284
  Canada                                                    14,779   13,514
  All other markets                                         18,592   15,031

  Total Retail Sales of Harley-Davidson Motorcycles        337,774  343,981

  Data Source (subject to update)
  Data source for all 2006 and 2007 retail sales figures shown above is
  sales warranty and registration information provided by Harley-Davidson
  dealers and compiled by the Company.  The Company must rely on information
  that its dealers supply concerning ret

  Only Harley-Davidson(R) motorcycles are included in the Harley-Davidson
  Motorcycle Sales data.

  *Data for Europe includes Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France,
  Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden,
  Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

                         Heavyweight Market Data
                      Data Through Month Indicated

                                                              2007     2006

  United States (1) (December)                             516,083  542,991
  Europe (2) (November)                                    385,589  365,889

  1 - United States industry data includes 651+cc models, derived from
      submission of motorcycle retail sales by each major manufacturer to an
      independent third party.

  2 - Europe data includes Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France,
      Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden,
      Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.  Industry retail motorcycle
      registration data includes 651+cc models, derived from information
      provided by Giral S.A., an independent agency.