The latest drama began with Harley-Davidson CEO Jochen Zeitz’s announcement of retirement on April 9, 2025. He has occupied the position since 2020. Zeitz stated at the time that he intends to stay on board until a replacement is found.
Since then, shareholder H Partners Management has come forth to say that they want Zeitz and two other Board of Directors members out now. Why? They claim the reason is poor performance under the present leadership.
H-D, the company, is urging Board members to reject this position, saying H Partners is just behaving badly because their favored CEO candidate didn’t win majority Board support. Furthermore, H-D issued a statement “setting the record straight” and labeling H Partners’ claims both “harmful and disingenuous.”
Keep an eye out for news following the May 14 annual shareholders meeting, where much of the drama is sure to unfold.
For more background reading, see:
“Harley Davidson Reports a Profit Even as Bike Sales Tumble”
https://www.jsonline.com/story/money/business/2025/05/01/harley-davidson-reports-a-profit-even-as-bike-sales-tumble/83354188007/
“Amid Corporate Power Struggle Harley-Davidson Sales Slump” https://urbanmilwaukee.com/2025/05/02/amid-corporate-power-struggle-harley-davidson-sales-sump/#google_vignette
