Harley Davidson is an American manufacturer of motorcycles based in Wisconsin. The brand broke through during the Second World War when large numbers of motorcycles were delivered to the U.S. Army, under the name of Liberator. Harley-Davidson has a bevy of avid fans – including Hells Angels – who is not a criticism of their brand to know. According to non-fans are Harley-Davidsons moderately developed, they shoot capital shortfall, let the poor performance and maneuverability is poor. Still looks the business for twenty consecutive years the turnover and profits. Harley-Davidson is the only remaining major American motorcycle manufacturer. The biggest competitor is the Japanese Kawasaki that is twice as large. Attempts to the specific sound of the Harley-Davidson as a trademark to be registered, have failed.

Two young engineers, William Harley and Arthur Davidson, friends since childhood, worked in their spare time to their first motorcycle. Two brothers Arthur, Walter and William, joined soon by the duo, but an unknown German immigrant, the French “De Dion” engine knew, was the decisive factor in forming their company. A single cylinder motorcycle appeared in 1903 with a capacity of 3 horsepower. On August 30 of that year, the Harley-Davidson Motor Company. Bill (William) Harley, the designer of the group, went to study at piston engines, and in 1909 the first “V-twin, a piston engine with two cylinders at an angle of 45 degrees. This “V-twin” quickly became a success. In the twenties were the HD are known to be particularly robust and reliable when the rather crude racetracks. At the end of World War there was a stone Harley-Davidson factory in Milwaukee. In the Second World War, the Harley-Davidson motorcycle internationally known as the liberators. They were sent by boat from Murmansk in large numbers shipped to Russia as war aid, and reason thus also at the eastern front. Many a collector has later “Liberator” from somewhere in a barn in the Eastern bloc met and renovated.

Famous types are called “Liberator”, the “Knucklehead” (1936), the “Duo Glide” (the first model with front and rear suspension) and the majestic “Electra Glide” (1965) (the first model with electric start) . After a period of merger with other companies within the AMF group (American Machine & Foundry), in which other engines were equipped with the HD brand (Aermacchi-HD and HD Cagiva), bought a group of wealthy enthusiasts in 1981 the Harley Davidson name back for $ 75,000,000 (“The Buyback”). They came in 1983 with a new line of HD motorcycles in the so-called Evolution-block, called Blockhead, in the market including the 833 cc Sportster, a cheaper but good quality entry-level model that was intended as a competitor of the many Japanese motorcycles. Then many people bought the larger 1340 cc V-twins. There are many modifications devised and is seen in both HD’s the most bare – as in very gaudy versions around. In the cult film Easy Rider played HD engines of type “custom” chopper also called a key. Customs with their many and extremely high chromium send in the sixties (and long after) was a hype. Many brands have a similar  harley davidson accessories and model released.

Although the overall design is fairly handsome, the H3T’s rather plain interior doesn’t quite match its macho exterior. Build quality is solid, but the H3T’s competitors utilize nicer materials. Also, stereo and climate interfaces aren’t as user-friendly as those found in other GM vehicles. Still, the versions with the leather seating have an attractive two-tone color scheme along with contrasting piping on the seats, which spruces things up.

The seats are comfortable, though many drivers may take issue with the high beltline and low-profile window design, as they lead to lousy outward visibility. Rear-seat passengers enjoy ample legroom and decent support, but taller folks may find themselves uncomfortably close to the roof. The cargo box is about 5 feet long; though this is about the same as the offerings from the H3T’s chief rivals, they typically offer 6-foot boxes as well.

General Motors’ focus on four brands – Buick,Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC – indicates for the near term that light-duty trucks and SUVs will continue to be a part of the product mix, with new SUVs in the form of a Cadillac SRX crossover, Chevy Equinox compact SUV, and the GMC Terrain compact SUV among six new models announced for 2010.

While touting leading-edge design, technology, engineering excellence and quality in their ‘re:invention’ strategy, GM might see a glimmer of hope in a recent survey from J.D. Power & Associates, entitled “Automotive Emerging Technologies Study”, released this month. The study, which is designed to measure familiarity, interest and purchase intent for emerging automotive technologies, polls consumers before and after an estimated market price is revealed. For example, in the survey, 67% of the 19,249 respondents indicated that onboard navigation systems to guide them to the nearest Starbucks or other destinations were of interest.When the cost of a factory-installed navigation system was revealed at $1,600, interest dropped to 20% overall, while 45% of those who owned premium vehicles still chose the factory onboard systems versus lower cost off-board systems.

Mike Marshall, J.D. Power director of emerging technologies said, “Although the factory-installed options are considerably more expensive than an off-board navigation system, the price difference is not reflected in a proportionate decrease in consumer interest levels. Among consumers who express interest in both types of navigation system, seven out of ten indicate they would choose a factory-installed navigation system rather than an off-board version—despite the cost premium.”Other technologies fared about as well, and among consumers who listen to their portable digital music player in their vehicle, more than one-half use an auxiliary input jack, while approximately 20% use a wireless FM transmitter. Nearly 2/3s of consumers indicate that they would like the ability to listen to a portable digital music player through their vehicle’s speakers, while 27% express a desire to use a smartphone’s music capabilities in conjunction with their vehicle’s audio system.

Among consumers currently utilizing their vehicle’s Bluetooth functionality, initial interest for wireless connectivity in their next vehicle is 68%, compared with just 47% among those who have the feature but do not use it in their vehicle.Premium surround sound systems garner the highest interest rate among near-term vehicle intenders at 72%, while just 61% of consumers who plan on purchasing a new vehicle in two years or more indicate interest in this feature. “Consumers nearing the final phase of the vehicle purchase process are often more well-versed on vehicle options and features than those in the early stages of shopping, and likely have recently researched the available vehicle specifications,” stated Marshall, who added, “The increased familiarity of the possible benefits and conveniences of these technologies may lead to an increase in interest.”

How this bodes for an industry accustomed to making their profit on all the bells and whistles, and GM in particular with a plethora of trim levels and options, remains to be seen. In addition, how does the automotive aftermarket deal with consumers who are increasingly more interested in having the OEMs integrate these entertainment and connectivity technologies into the new vehicles? Time will certainly tell – but that’s oneluxury automakers don’t have, and a gamble they can’t afford to take.