Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/128323
~ Happen'ng. 'n Mo'o«y."ng Harley-Oavid§on Orive§ Economy WALKING TALL There is a good chance that t he next time yo u spot the Co ro na Suzuki umb rella girls, you won't be looking down at them . That's because the guys over at Moto nation de cided to shamelessly use the girls' feet as another marketing opportun ity; God bless them. The four-inch stacked Sidi BOne boots will give the umbrella girls a commanding view of all that is going on below. The girls will start wearing the boots at the Infineon Raceway AMASupe rbike National the weekend of April 30-May 2 and willwear them for the rema inder of the year, assuming that they don 't fall and break their necks. More than 1500 Harley-Davidson employees, government officials and invited guests attended a special ceremony dedicating the new Softajt motorcycle manufacturing facility in York, Pennsylvania, on April I. Approximately 250 local business leaders and key suppliers to the project, as well as local and state elected officialsand the media took advantage of this opportunity to see 2004 Softails in production at the new facility . Following the tours, guests joined Harley-Davidson employees in a large tent adjacent to the plant . Pennsylvaniagovernor Ed Rendell spoke at the dedication and sat on a Heritage Softail Classic as he answered questions from employees and the media. Governor Rendell praised Harley-Davidson as one of Pennsylvania's most sta ble manufacturing companies, with a strong track record of creating jobs in the commonwealth. "Manufacturing remains the backbone of our economy," Rendell said. "Because you keep your business competitive, you help ensure that Pennsylvaniawill continue to have good-paying, family-supporting jobs in this ever-evolving sector." jorge Hidalgo, vice president and general manager of York Vehicle Operations, served as master of ceremonies for the presentations. Also speaking at the event were jeff Bleustein, chairman and CEO of Harley-Davidson Inc., jim Lauter, grand lodge representative for International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (lAM) Eastern District, and Paul Quickel , pres ident of lAMTyson lodge local 175, which represents more than 2700 hourly employees in York. Construction of the new Softail plant began in 200 I. The $145 -million, 350,OOO-square-foot facility was completed in February, 2003 , and hit full production in September, 2003 . It is the birthplace of the entire familyof Softail motorcycles. This new plant is a major step in Harley-Davidson's long-term plan to add production capacity and to simplify and add flexibility to manufacturing operations. It is the latest chapter in a line of spending on facilitiesand production capabilities that totals $1.2 billion in the last five years . 138 MAY 12,2004 • CYCLE NEWS Governor Edward G. Rendell received a half of a Harley·Davidson gas tank from Jeff Bleustein, chairman and chief executive officer of Harley·Davidson Inc., and Paul Quickel, union president, I.A.M. Tyson Lodge Local 175, at the Softail motorcycle manufacturing faci lity dedication. 40th Anniversary