Harley Davidson Returns to US Manufacturing Facilities

Motorcycle manufacturing giant Harley Davidson is making its triumphant return back to the US after spending years building its legendary motorcycle engines and models overseas.

The 123-year-old company’s Revolution Max engine platform, the liquid-cooled, dual-overhead-cam (DOHC) V-twin engine powering its modern lineup, is coming home to Pennsylvania and Wisconsin manufacturing facilities after several years of production in Thailand. Harley-Davidson anticipates this strategic realignment will create significant skilled union opportunities in domestic machining, powertrain construction, and final vehicle assembly.

Harley Davidson's transition

Bill Davidson, VP, Special Advisor to the CEO and Global Brand Ambassador of Harley Davidson champions this exciting transition: "My family has spent generations working in this company, and I've seen firsthand the pride, craftsmanship and hard work that go into building Harley-Davidson motorcycles in America.

“My father, Willie, my sister, Karen, and I are incredibly excited about what's happening at Harley-Davidson. Bringing this work back home is another important step in getting back to the bricks, investing in American manufacturing, and building on the values that have made Harley-Davidson one of the most iconic brands in the world.”

A great-grandson of one of the legendary brand's original founders, Bill assumed his current role in 2025. His work is centered on fostering rider culture, community engagement, brand identity and product development.

Harley Davidson's manufacturing strategy

Harley-Davidson's ‘Back to the Bricks’ strategy is driving this transition, focusing on the revitalisation of dealer profitability, a return to domestic manufacturing and an expansion toward new riders. As part of this shift, the Revolution Max engine platform and leading motorcycle models, including the Nightster, Pan America and Sportster S, are slated to return to American production lines.

According to the organisation, evolving US trade policies spearheaded by the Trump administration and shifting global market dynamics present fresh avenues to commit entirely to American production facilities.

The transition is expected to conclude at the beginning of the Model Year 2028 with production starting in 2027. Harley Davidson anticipates the production of more than 100,000 motorcycles out of the organisation’s Pennsylvania location.

In 2020, the Wisconsin-brand relocated its production for EU exported items away from the US due to imposed tariffs. 

“To address the substantial cost of this tariff burden long-term, Harley-Davidson will be implementing a plan to shift production of motorcycles for EU destinations from the US to its international facilities to avoid the tariff burden,” the BBC reports.

Current US President Donald Trump also comments on the issue on X (formally known as Twitter): “Surprised that Harley-Davidson, of all companies, would be the first to wave the White Flag. I fought hard for them and ultimately they will not pay tariffs selling into the EU, which has hurt us badly on trade, down US$151bn. Taxes just a Harley excuse - be patient! #MAGA,” Trump says.

In conjunction with these shifts, former Harley-Davidson CFO John Olin details the complexities of international production during an investor call, highlighting the difficulties in managing offshoring operations.

"This is the first time we're manufacturing product internationally, and with that, a majority of the supply chain is international,

“And not only is it a much longer supply chain, but it's with a lot of new suppliers.  We're going through a learning curve.”