Mes: febrero 2021

BOULDER, Colo., Feb. 2, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — The American Solar Energy Society (ASES) has extended the deadline for submissions to the Call for Participation for their 50^th Annual National Solar Conference, SOLAR 2021: Empowering a Sustainable Future, until February 15, 2021. SOLAR 2021 will take place August 3-6, 2021 in the city of Boulder, CO and online. Submissions are being accepted for ten minute oral presentations, five minute ~switch presentations, or posters. Submissions should be research and development focused. Learn more and submit at ases.org/participate2021.

Submit presentation abstracts in these tracks:

• Modeling and Scaling (Renewables at Scale, Grid Integration, Clean Energy Economics)
• Solar Advancements (Bifacial, Solar Thermal, Low Cost Manufacturing)
• Sustainability (Transportation, Electrifying Everything, PV Recycling)
• Policy, Education and Finance (New Tech Adoption, K-12 Activities, Clean Energy Financing)
• Other Renewable Energy (Wind, Geothermal, Wave)
• Social/Environmental Justice and Renewable Energy (Community Solar, Solar on Native Lands, Teaching Environmental Justice)

ASES has also opened up nominations for their annual awards and new fellows. Each year at the National Solar Conference, ASES inducts new fellows and presents awards in various categories to honor outstanding research and advances in technology, policy, education, industry, as well as honoring student and volunteer leaders, all nominated by ASES members.

ASES is now accepting nominations for fellows and for the following awards to be presented at SOLAR 2021 in August:

• ASES Fellows – ASES members who have served with distinction in the advancement of solar energy utilization by way of research, education, public service, and/or service to ASES.
• Charles Greeley Abbot Award – Outstanding contributions to the advancement of solar energy through research and development (R&D).
• Hoyt Clarke Hottel Award – Significant contribution(s) to the commercialization of a specific solar energy application, or a tool or tools that enable successful solar energy applications.
• Leadership in Solar Architecture and Design Award – Outstanding contributions related to the use of solar, low-energy and sustainable building design strategies.
• Rebecca Vories Award – Outstanding ASES volunteer who has significantly advanced ASES’ ability to meet its mission.
• John & Barbara Yellott Award – Graduate student with recognized accomplishments concentrating on solar energy in an institution of higher learning.
• Women in Solar Energy Award – Outstanding woman for significant and long-time contributions in solar energy.
• Leadership in Solar Policy and Market Transformation – Demonstration of extraordinary leadership and innovations in solar policy and market transformation crucial to the widespread adoption of solar and renewable energy and the ASES mission.

More detailed descriptions of each award can be found on the ASES Awards Web page. Nominations should be submitted through the ASES Web site. NOTE THAT THE PROCEDURES, NOMINATION REQUIREMENTS, CRITERIA, AND AWARD ELIGIBILITIES ARE CHANGED FOR THE 2021 AWARDS. All nominations now require a nomination form submission and two letters of support. Self-nominations are no longer allowed. All nominations must be made by a current ASES Member and submitted, including the completed (online) form, and seconding letters, no later than April 15, 2021.

Submit the nomination form on the corresponding awards Web page and send letters of support to Awards Committee Chair Larry Kazmerski at awards@ases.org. You can also contact awards@ases.org if you have any questions or need additional information.

A Fellows nomination is made by three members of ASES in good standing, at least one of whom is a Fellow. To submit a Fellows nomination, please send the letters of nomination to the ASES 2021 Fellows Committee at fellows@ases.org by April 15, 2021.

ASES strongly encourages and sincerely appreciates your nominations, submissions and participation in this year’s ASES awards and Call for Participation. Your input as a member of the ASES community is valuable to the mission of enabling a 100% renewable energy society.

If you have a product or service that you are selling, you are invited to sponsor the conference and present at the Industry Round Table. Please visit ases.org/sponsorsolar2021 or contact sales@ases.org for more information on the available sponsorships.

For more information and to stay up to date with the latest conference news, visit ases.org/conference. For questions contact conference@ases.org.

Follow ASES on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter for more updates! #SOLAR2021Boulder

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SOURCE American Solar Energy Society

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — A coalition of 11 companies have partnered to form Hydrogen Forward, an initiative focused on advancing hydrogen development in the United States. The founding members – Air Liquide, Anglo American, Bloom Energy, CF Industries, Chart Industries, Cummins Inc., Hyundai, Linde, McDermott, Shell and Toyota – are united under a shared belief in the environmental and economic benefits of hydrogen technologies. These companies believe that accelerating investment in hydrogen will help the U.S. deliver on its climate goals while creating a stronger economy with new, good-paying jobs.

The initiative – which represents companies invested in all links of the hydrogen value chain from source to service – is focused on showcasing hydrogen’s unique value proposition among Washington, D.C. policymakers and other stakeholders to decisively accelerate adoption of hydrogen solutions and related infrastructure build-out across the nation. 

Produced domestically with low or no carbon footprint, hydrogen can help decarbonize large segments of the economy, including shipping and transportation, power generation, refining, steelmaking, chemical production, mining, manufacturing and other industries. And with all of its hydrogen made in the U.S., the country will see the full economic benefits of the value chain including job opportunities and revenue generation.

Today, members of the Hydrogen Forward coalition are making significant domestic investments and driving specific projects across the nation to bring these technologies to scale. From the manufacturing and sale of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) to supporting the fueling stations that keep FCEVs moving, Hydrogen Forward members are on the leading edge of transportation innovation. Likewise, member company hydrogen storage solutions and partnerships with local utility companies are helping to harness renewable energy and decarbonize the power generation sector.

However, lack of systemic policy support for hydrogen risks to derail these efforts. While Europe and East Asia have committed to investing hundreds of billions of dollars into hydrogen solutions, the U.S. is the only major market without a national hydrogen strategy. A comprehensive approach is critical because it provides a much-needed framework to enable fast, large-scale adoption.

Hydrogen Forward and its member companies support policies that accelerate the energy transition, bolster U.S. energy and climate leadership, and establish a clear, comprehensive strategy for hydrogen and related infrastructure development that will allow the U.S. to harness the significant benefits of these technologies.

See below for remarks from Hydrogen Forward member company leadership:

«At Air Liquide, we have always worked to provide solutions and technologies that meet today’s needs while also addressing the challenges of the future,» said Michael Graff, chairman and CEO American Air Liquide Holdings, Inc. and executive vice president, Air Liquide Group. «With the world changing at a rapid pace, we need smart climate solutions to tackle our generation’s greatest challenges. Air Liquide and our Hydrogen Forward partners believe hydrogen, and its various applications, is one of the solutions we need to power a sustainable future that benefits our global society.»

«Anglo American is pleased to be partnering with Hydrogen Forward in this drive to promote hydrogen as a clean, reliable and transformative energy solution and a key enabler in the global effort towards a low-carbon future,» said Natascha Viljoen, CEO of Anglo American Platinum, a leading producer of platinum group metals.  «Anglo American is a longstanding supporter of the hydrogen economy, and we are committed to helping unlock hydrogen’s full potential in tackling global energy challenges.»

«We must embrace hydrogen if we are to meet our ambitious decarbonization goals,» said KR Sridhar, founder, chairman, and CEO of Bloom Energy. «Hydrogen will enable the world to harness our abundant and affordable renewable energy and make it reliable and resilient to meet the needs of our digital world. Bloom Energy is committed to a hydrogen revolution that will make reliable energy affordable, sustainable, and accessible for all. We are thrilled to join Hydrogen Forward and our partners in efforts to accelerate investment in hydrogen technologies and infrastructure. Together, we can achieve the promise of a zero-carbon future for all.»

«The world needs clean energy and we believe green hydrogen and ammonia will be critical to meeting this need,» said Tony Will, president and CEO of CF Industries. «Now is the time to come together to accelerate the path to the hydrogen solutions that will allow our society to make significant progress decarbonizing key industries. Through Hydrogen Forward, we are excited to partner with like-minded organizations committed to realizing our shared vision for a low-carbon future.»

«Chart Industries has been producing hydrogen-related equipment for over 50 years, and we are continuing to discover its many applications as a safe, reliable and versatile fuel,» said Jillian Evanko, president and CEO of Chart Industries. «We believe hydrogen will be a key part of the clean energy transition, and our products make it possible for hydrogen to be used in delivery trucks, forklifts, cars, power generation, and even aerospace.  We are pleased to be a part of Hydrogen Forward with such great partners to continue to build hydrogen solutions.»

«There has never been a better time for governments and businesses around the world to invest in hydrogen technologies and infrastructure. As our society recovers from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have a unique opportunity to rebuild our economy by investing in hydrogen solutions to drive economic growth, create jobs, and shape the future of energy and transportation,» said Tom Linebarger, chairman and CEO of Cummins Inc. «With our partners at Hydrogen Forward, we are eager to collaborate with the new administration and Congress to scale up hydrogen to enhance our nation’s climate leadership and build a better and cleaner tomorrow.»

«In the advent of a clean transportation revolution, hydrogen fuel cell technologies are driving a modern era that prioritizes innovation, human progress and sustainability,» said Jose Munoz, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor North America. «With more than two decades of experience in hydrogen fuel cell systems, Hyundai is proud to be a founding member of Hydrogen Forward to help transform how we move about in our everyday lives and accelerate the development of hydrogen in the U.S. A new age of clean transportation is within our reach, and we must work together with stakeholders in the public and private sectors to propel our communities forward.»

«As we work towards achieving a carbon-neutral future, the United States has the opportunity to help decarbonize large sectors of the global supply chain while stimulating the U.S. economy by investing in hydrogen,» said Steve Angel, CEO of Linde. «As a steward of sustainability and a leading provider of hydrogen technology across the value chain, we look forward to playing an active role in the transition to clean energy.» 

«McDermott and our partners at Hydrogen Forward recognize the need to reduce emissions and we are committed to delivering the building blocks of the energy transition,» said David Dickson, president and CEO of McDermott. «Hydrogen technologies represent a necessary pathway to reduce emissions and harness clean energy now – not just in the future. We believe building the foundation for a more sustainable future starts by working together and investing in, and scaling up, existing technologies to reduce our environmental footprint at a global scale.»

«From heating our homes, towns and businesses to powering our cars, trucks and buses, hydrogen technologies have the potential to transform our everyday lives,» said Doug Murtha, Group Vice President, Toyota Motor North America. «For over three decades, Toyota has invested in the development of hydrogen fuel cells, and we are proud to be among the first automakers to bring commercially produced hydrogen-powered vehicles to the consumer market. Along with our partners in Hydrogen Forward, we will support the continued progress needed to transform mobility and transportation in the United States and around the world.»

About Hydrogen Forward
Hydrogen Forward is a joint initiative of 11 companies – Air Liquide, Anglo American, Bloom Energy, CF Industries, Chart Industries, Cummins Inc., Hyundai, Linde, McDermott, Shell and Toyota – committed to advancing hydrogen for a cleaner, stronger U.S. economy. The coalition works in concert with allies across industries and sectors to educate decisionmakers and stakeholders on the value hydrogen delivers today and the important role that it should play in our future. To learn more about the initiative and its member companies, visit www.HydrogenFwd.org.

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SOURCE Hydrogen Forward

JUNO BEACH, Fla., Feb. 2, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — NextEra Energy, Inc. announced it has been named to Fortune’s 2021 list of the «World’s Most Admired Companies» and ranked No. 1 in the electric and gas utilities industry for the 14th time in 15 years. NextEra Energy, whose principal businesses are Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) and NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, also tied for the highest overall company score across all industries in Florida.

«We are extremely honored to receive once again Fortune’s prestigious recognition as a leader within our industry,» said Jim Robo, NextEra Energy chairman and chief executive officer. «Every day, our diverse team empowered by an inclusive culture embraces the opportunity to challenge old ways of doing things and generate innovative solutions to our energy challenges. Through the hard work, perseverance and commitment to excellence of our employees, we are shaping how energy is produced and delivered while advancing a sustainable energy future. At NextEra Energy, we have the best team in the industry, and this recognition, once again, is a reflection of their success in executing our long-term strategy of generating clean, renewable energy, while protecting the environment and giving back to the community for the benefit of our customers, shareholders and communities.»

In the electric and gas utilities industry, NextEra Energy ranked No. 1 for eight of the nine rated attributes, including innovation, people management, use of corporate assets, quality of management, financial soundness, long-term investment value, quality of products/services and global competitiveness.

Performance highlights for NextEra Energy include:

• Leading the world in wind, solar and battery storage energy – NextEra Energy is the world’s largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and sun and a world leader in battery storage. NextEra Energy Resources continues to advance its position as the leading developer and operator of wind, solar and battery storage projects, more than doubling the amount of total renewables megawatts commissioned in 2020 versus the previous year, and executing on the largest construction program in its history. FPL, a national leader in solar energy, is ahead of schedule in its plan to install more than 30 million solar panels by 2030, as part of the company’s groundbreaking «30-by-30» plan, which is one of the world’s largest solar expansions. In 2020, FPL made history with 14 new solar energy centers under construction across Florida exceeding its previous peak of simultaneously constructing 10 solar energy centers in 2019. In 2020, FPL also continued development of the world’s largest integrated solar-powered battery system, which is expected to begin serving customers at the end of 2021.
• Investing in American infrastructure – NextEra Energy invested more than $14 billion in clean energy infrastructure in 2020 and more than $90 billion over the last decade. We are one of the largest capital investors across any industry in the U.S. over this period.
• Providing outstanding value for shareholders – NextEra Energy has a long-term track record of delivering value to shareholders. For the 15 years ending Dec. 31, 2020, NextEra Energy delivered a total shareholder return of approximately 1,082%, compared to 311% for the S&P 500 Utilities and 252% for the S&P 500 Index.
• Respecting our environment – In 2019, NextEra Energy achieved emissions rates of SO2, NOx and CO2 that were 93%, 72% and 47% lower, respectively, than the average U.S. utility sector. The company’s goal is to reduce its CO2 emissions rate by 67% by 2025, from a 2005 baseline. In our view, no company in any industry has done more to reduce carbon emissions and to confront climate change than NextEra Energy.
• Providing outstanding customer value – Consistently one of the nation’s cleanest and most reliable electric utilities with bills approximately 30% below the national average and among the lowest of all 54 electric providers in the state of Florida, FPL is focused on creating innovative solutions to drive down costs and continue to improve tangible benefits for its more than 5.6 million customers.
• Providing outstanding reliability – In 2020, FPL delivered its best-ever service reliability and was named the winner of the ReliabilityOne™ National Reliability Excellence Award for fifth time in six years. Gulf Power also delivered its best-ever service reliability in 2020 and won its first-ever ReliabilityOne® award, claiming the Outstanding Reliability Performance Award for the Southeast suburban/rural service area, on the merits of marked improvements in reliability since it joined the NextEra Energy family of companies. These recognitions, presented by PA Consulting, reflect FPL’s and Gulf Power’s continued efforts to strengthen the energy grid and invest in innovative smart grid technology.
• Responding to unprecedented natural disasters – In 2020, FPL and Gulf Power were both recognized by the Edison Electric Institute for their support in severe weather restoration efforts. Gulf Power received the EEI Emergency Recovery Award for efforts in restoring power following Hurricane Sally in late September 2020. Expected to make landfall in Louisiana, the Category 2 hurricane made a sudden, overnight turn to the east with the eye wall striking the Pensacola area with 105 mph winds.
• Responding to the global pandemic – As it has from the moment COVID-19 became widespread in March 2020, FPL remains committed to supporting customers experiencing hardship due to the pandemic and the resulting economic uncertainty. To date, FPL has provided customers approximately $75 million in relief through various programs and initiatives.

Fortune’s annual list is based on ratings from executives, directors and analysts, who rate the highest-revenue companies within their industry on nine criteria including innovation, people management, use of corporate assets, social responsibility, quality of management, financial soundness, long-term investment value, quality of products/services and global competitiveness.

View the complete results for Fortune’s 2021 list of the «World’s Most Admired Companies.»

NextEra Energy, Inc.
NextEra Energy, Inc. is a leading clean energy company headquartered in Juno Beach, Florida. NextEra Energy owns Florida Power & Light Company, which is the largest rate-regulated electric utility in the United States as measured by retail electricity produced and sold, and serves more than 5.6 million customer accounts, supporting more than 11 million residents across Florida with clean, reliable and affordable electricity. NextEra Energy also owns a competitive clean energy business, NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, which, together with its affiliated entities, is the world’s largest generator of renewable energy from the wind and sun and a world leader in battery storage. Through its subsidiaries, NextEra Energy generates clean, emissions-free electricity from seven commercial nuclear power units in Florida, New Hampshire and Wisconsin. A Fortune 200 company and included in the S&P 100 index, NextEra Energy has been recognized often by third parties for its efforts in sustainability, corporate responsibility, ethics and compliance, and diversity. NextEra Energy is ranked No. 1 in the electric and gas utilities industry on Fortune’s 2020 list of «World’s Most Admired Companies» and received the S&P Global Platts 2020 Energy Transition Award for leadership in environmental, social and governance. For more information about NextEra Energy companies, visit these websites: www.NextEraEnergy.com, www.FPL.com, www.GulfPower.com, www.NextEraEnergyResources.com.

 

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SOURCE NextEra Energy, Inc.

MILWAUKEE, Feb. 2, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Harley-Davidson, Inc. («Harley-Davidson») (NYSE:HOG) has announced The Hardwire, its 2021-2025 strategic plan targeting long-term profitable growth and shareholder value, and aiming to enhance its position as the most desirable motorcycle brand in the world.  

Key Highlights:

• Target increased profitability and low double-digit EPS growth through 2025
• Broaden view of its customers, inclusive of non-riders, tailoring each step of the journey in new ways and through multiple channels, including enhanced digital touchpoints
• Invest in core segments of Touring, large Cruiser and Trike to strengthen and grow its position
• Expand into Adventure Touring and within the Cruiser segment to unlock untapped volume and margin
• Launch Harley-Davidson Certified™, a pre-owned motorcycle program supporting growth expected across all complementary businesses
• Strengthen commitment to electric with the creation of a dedicated division focused exclusively on leading the future of electric motorcycles
• Fuel power of Harley-Davidson as a global lifestyle brand through reinvigoration of parts, accessories and riding gear and global expansion of financial services
• Extend employee ownership to all employees by offering an equity grant to approximately 4,500 employees, aligning with new approach to Inclusive Stakeholder Management

«We launch The Hardwire with capabilities, assets and a legacy unmatched by any competitor. Harley-Davidson is the most desirable motorcycle brand in the world, backed by leading positions in the most profitable segments and a reinvigorated culture of performance, efficiency, focus and speed. By unlocking our full potential, prioritizing profit through leadership and fueling our lifestyle brand with an enhanced product offering and leading digital capabilities, our strategic plan will drive the desirability of Harley-Davidson for all.» said Jochen Zeitz, chairman, president and CEO, Harley-Davidson. «I am proud to announce our first commitment as part of our Inclusive Stakeholder Management priority, an equity grant to thousands of our employees, including every hourly factory worker. It is only fitting that this inaugural action is for our own Harley-Davidson community who continue to deliver our iconic products and experiences with great pride and craftsmanship every day.»

Rooted in desirability and guided by the company’s vision and mission, The Hardwire aims to build the brand beyond riders, deepen loyalty, preserve value and drive engagement. The strategic priorities of The Hardwire are:

Profit Focus
Harley-Davidson will invest significant time and resources on strengthening and growing its leadership position in its strongest motorcycle segments – Touring, large Cruiser and Trike – with a curated portfolio of the highest priority products. These segments are the most profitable in the market globally and demonstrate steady aggregate demand of new and used sales.¹ The company believes these segments offer untapped opportunity to inspire more engagement and repurchase and also compel new customers and riders to choose Harley-Davidson. Profitable growth is expected through inspirational new products that live up to the company’s vision for market-leading innovation, evolution and emotion.

Selective Expansion and Redefinition
The company plans to selectively focus on opportunities in profitable segments, aligned with the company’s product and brand capabilities that demonstrate a clear path to market leadership.

Pan America™, Harley-Davidson’s first Adventure Touring motorcycle, is an example of the company’s selective expansion into a high-potential segment that is one of the largest in many European markets and has untapped potential in the U.S. The company also intends to reinvent and increase profitability within the Cruiser segment, with highly competitive and profitable middleweight offerings that expand its relevance to a greater customer set beyond its current stronghold segments.

Harley-Davidson has redefined its geographic footprint, with a focus on ten global markets that matter most to future success. The company will strategically drive these markets to their full potential by developing custom product and go-to-market approaches. The company will continue to test further avenues for desirable long-term growth through premium low displacement partnerships.

Lead in Electric
Electric motorcycles are important to Harley-Davidson’s future and the company is committed to remaining at the forefront of electric motorcycle technology following its groundbreaking success with the LiveWire^® motorcycle, widely regarded as the leading electric motorcycle in the world. The company is investing in its long-term success by creating a separate division dedicated exclusively to electric motorcycles. The focus will be on technology development, with an approach to product and go-to-market actions that reflect the expectations of the targeted customer to deliver the most desirable electric motorcycles in the world.

Growth Beyond Bikes
Harley-Davidson’s complementary businesses – Parts & Accessories, General Merchandise, and Harley-Davidson Financial Services – are important pillars of the company’s future success as a global lifestyle brand and provide untapped potential to grow its customer base and add to customer lifetime value. The Hardwire targets growth and profitability of these businesses through refreshed product offerings, stronger execution, and additional digital and in-dealership purchase opportunities. Expanding global Harley-Davidson Financial Services offerings will provide greater flexibility for customers, including a pre-owned Harley-Davidson motorcycle program, Harley-Davidson Certified™, aimed at enhancing the overall customer experience and supporting growth in all complementary businesses.

Customer Experience
The Hardwire puts customers at the forefront of Harley-Davidson’s products, experiences and investments and defines customers as people who may dream of motorcycling or just learned to ride, all the way to riders who are deeply passionate about and invested in the Harley-Davidson lifestyle. The company recognizes the different needs and expectations of customers across the purchase journey and the importance of a customer experience that ensures each touchpoint is tailored to individual needs. Powered by integrated data, the company’s goal is to seamlessly engage with customers, creating a meaningful, unique and personalized experience with Harley-Davidson each and every time.

Inclusive Stakeholder Management
In its approach to optimize long-term value for all stakeholders, Harley-Davidson views inclusive stakeholder management in the context of people, planet and profit, as all three are deeply embedded in the past and future success of the Harley-Davidson brand and company.

People: Harley-Davidson aims to foster a community reflected in its H-D #1 culture, including a highly desirable, safe and inspiring workplace that attracts and retains top talent by evolving its spaces and how its employees work. The company will strive to create an inclusive community with a strong dealer network and a supply base focused on ethical, sustainable and equity-based purchasing and sourcing practices.

Planet: The company is developing a path to net zero environmental impact while delivering on its mission, investing in its practices and teams to do so.

Profit: Through Harley-Davidson’s focus on desirability, the company plans to drive profitability and shareholder returns. In order to closely align the rewards of its employees with those of its shareholders, approximately 4,500 employees will be offered an equity grant at the start of The Hardwire. With this expanded approach, all employees from factory workers to executives and all shareholders will benefit when the company succeeds.

Financial Targets
The company is targeting profitable growth on the top and bottom line through 2025. Financial results are expected to demonstrate progress in several critical areas, including revenue and operating margin, driven by investments, increased efficiencies across operations and leverage within SG&A as the company maintains a lean cost structure.

The Hardwire financial targets 2021-2025:

• Mid single-digit revenue growth in Motorcycles segment, with solid growth expectations across all businesses 
• Steady improvement in Motorcycles segment operating margin from 2019 (most recent comparable year)
• Double-digit growth in Financial Services segment operating income behind growth in the Motorcycles segment and optimization of the company’s digital platform
• Low double-digit EPS growth
• Capital investments between $190 million to $250 million annually

Cash allocation priorities are first to fund growth through The Hardwire initiatives, then to reward shareholders through dividends. Harley-Davidson, Inc.’s Board of Directors approved a first quarter 2021 dividend of $0.15 per share, payable March 19, 2021 to shareholders of record of the company’s common stock as of March 2, 2021.

Company Background
Harley-Davidson, Inc. is the parent company of Harley-Davidson Motor Company and Harley-Davidson Financial Services. Our vision: Building our legend and leading our industry through innovation, evolution and emotion. Our mission: More than building machines, we stand for the timeless pursuit of adventure. Freedom for the soul. Our ambition is to maintain our place as the most desirable motorcycle brand in the world. Since 1903, Harley-Davidson has defined motorcycle culture by delivering a motorcycle lifestyle with distinctive and customizable motorcycles, experiences, motorcycle accessories, riding gear and apparel. Harley-Davidson Financial Services provides financing, insurance and other programs to help get riders on the road. www.harley-davidson.com.

Webcast
Harley-Davidson will discuss its financial results, strategic plan and outlook on a webcast today from 8:00-9:30 a.m. CT. The webcast log-in and supporting slides can be accessed at http://investor.harley-davidson.com/news-and-events/events-and-presentations. The audio replay will be available by approximately 10:30 a.m. CT.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
The company intends that certain matters discussed in this press release are «forward-looking statements» intended to qualify for the safe harbor from liability established by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can generally be identified as such by reference to this footnote or because the context of the statement will include words such as the company «believes,» «anticipates,» «expects,» «plans,» «may,» «will,» «estimates,» «targets,» «intend,» «is on-track» or words of similar meaning. Similarly, statements that describe or refer to future expectations, future plans, strategies, objectives, outlooks, targets, guidance, commitments or goals are also forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, unfavorably or favorably, from those anticipated as of the date of this press release. Certain of such risks and uncertainties are described below. Shareholders, potential investors, and other readers are urged to consider these factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are only made as of the date of this press release, and the company disclaims any obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

Important factors that could affect future results and cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the following: (i) the COVID-19 pandemic, including the length and severity of the pandemic across the globe and the pace of recovery following the pandemic and (ii) the company’s ability to: (A) execute its business plans and strategies, including The Hardwire, successfully execute its remodeled approach to supply and inventory management, and strengthen its existing business while allowing for desirable growth; (B) accurately analyze, predict and react to changing market conditions and successfully adjust to shifting global consumer needs and interests, including successfully implementing a distributor model in fifteen international markets; (C) successfully access the capital and/or credit markets on terms that are acceptable to the company and within its expectations; (D) successfully carry out its global manufacturing and assembly operations; (E) develop and introduce products, services and experiences on a timely basis that the market accepts, that enable the company to generate desired sales levels and that provide the desired financial returns, including successfully implementing and executing plans to strengthen and grow its leadership position in Touring, large Cruiser and Trike, and growing its complementary businesses; (F) perform in a manner that enables the company to benefit from market opportunities while competing against existing and new competitors; (G) prevent, detect, and remediate any issues with its motorcycles or any issues associated with the manufacturing processes to avoid delays in new model launches, recall campaigns, regulatory agency investigations, increased warranty costs or litigation and adverse effects on its reputation and brand strength, and carry out any product programs or recalls within expected costs and timing; (H) manage supply chain issues, including quality issues and any unexpected interruptions or price increases caused by raw material shortages or natural disasters; (I) manage the impact that prices for and supply of used motorcycles may have on its business, including on retail sales of new motorcycles; (J) realize expectations concerning market demand for electric models, which will depend in part on the building of necessary infrastructure; (K) successfully manage and reduce costs throughout the business; (L) manage through changes in general economic and business conditions, including changing capital, credit and retail markets, and the changing political environment; (M) continue to develop the capabilities of its distributors and dealers, effectively implement changes relating to its dealers and distribution methods and manage the risks that its independent dealers may have difficulty obtaining capital and managing through changing economic conditions and consumer demand; (N) develop and maintain a productive relationship with Zhejiang Qianjiang Motorcycle Co., Ltd. and launch related products in a timely manner; (O) develop and maintain a productive relationship with Hero MotoCorp as a distributor and licensee of the Harley-Davidson brand name in India; (P) manage and predict the impact that new or adjusted tariffs may have on the company’s ability to sell products internationally, and the cost of raw materials and components; (Q) successfully maintain a manner in which to sell motorcycles in the European Union, China, and the company’s ASEAN countries that does not subject its motorcycles to incremental tariffs; (R) manage its Thailand corporate and manufacturing operation in a manner that allows the company to avail itself of preferential free trade agreements and duty rates, and sufficiently lower prices of its motorcycles in certain markets; (S) accurately estimate and adjust to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and commodity prices; (T) retain and attract talented employees, and eliminate personnel duplication, inefficiencies and complexity throughout the organization; (U) prevent a cybersecurity breach involving consumer, employee, dealer, supplier, or company data and respond to evolving regulatory requirements regarding data security; (V) manage the credit quality, the loan servicing and collection activities, and the recovery rates of HDFS’ loan portfolio; (W) adjust to tax reform, healthcare inflation and reform and pension reform, and successfully estimate the impact of any such reform on the company’s business; (X) manage through the effects inconsistent and unpredictable weather patterns may have on retail sales of motorcycles; (Y) implement and manage enterprise-wide information technology systems, including systems at its manufacturing facilities; (Z) manage changes and prepare for requirements in legislative and regulatory environments for its products, services and operations; (AA) manage its exposure to product liability claims and commercial or contractual disputes; (BB) continue to manage the relationships and agreements that the company has with its labor unions to help drive long-term competitiveness; (CC) accurately predict the margins of its Motorcycles and Related Products segment in light of, among other things, tariffs, the cost associated with product development initiatives and the company’s complex global supply chain; and (DD) successfully develop and launch the pre-owned motorcycle program, Harley-Davidson Certified.

The company’s operations, demand for its products, and its liquidity could be adversely impacted by work stoppages, facility closures, strikes, natural causes, widespread infectious disease, terrorism, or other factors. Other factors are described in risk factors that the company has disclosed in documents previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Many of these risk factors are impacted by the current changing capital, credit and retail markets and the company’s ability to manage through inconsistent economic conditions.

The company’s ability to sell its motorcycles and related products and services and to meet its financial expectations also depends on the ability of the company’s independent dealers to sell its motorcycles and related products and services to retail customers. The company depends on the capability and financial capacity of its independent dealers to develop and implement effective retail sales plans to create demand for the motorcycles and related products and services they purchase from the company. In addition, the company’s independent dealers and distributors may experience difficulties in operating their businesses and selling Harley-Davidson motorcycles and related products and services as a result of weather, economic conditions, the impact of COVID-19, or other factors. In recent years, HDFS has experienced historically low levels of retail credit losses, but there is no assurance that this will continue. The company believes that HDFS’ retail credit losses may increase over time due to changing consumer credit behavior and HDFS’ efforts to increase prudently structured loan approvals to sub-prime borrowers, as well as actions that the company has taken and could take that impact motorcycle values. Refer to «Risk Factors» under Item 1A of the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 filed with the SEC on February 19, 2020 and Part II, Item 1A of any subsequently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for a discussion of additional risk factors and a more complete discussion of some of the cautionary statements noted above.

¹ Total demand based on Used and New vehicles data in the U.S. Used volumes based on IHS Markit Used Registrations data for U.S. motorcycles from 2015-2019 for On Highway and Dual motorcycles of 1201cc+ for models classified by Harley-Davidson as Touring and Large Cruiser. New motorcycle information reflects sales data from MIC.

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SOURCE Harley-Davidson, Inc.