Harley-Davidson, the renowned U.S. motorcycle manufacturer, has announced its plans to introduce an electric model in the Japanese market by 2024, according to the company’s CEO, Jochen Zeitz. The decision is still pending between offering the already available LiveWire One model or launching a new electric model specifically designed for the Japanese market. The details regarding the price range have not been disclosed at this time.
The forthcoming electric model, set to be released in the United States in June or July, followed by Europe, is expected to be smaller than the LiveWire One and potentially better suited for the Japanese market. Zeitz believes that a compact and agile electric motorcycle would appeal to Japanese riders.
Harley-Davidson had previously established LiveWire as a separate company to focus on its electric motorcycle division. In 2022, LiveWire became a publicly traded entity.
In addition to the electric plans, Harley-Davidson Japan recently showcased two new models from its premium CVO line of gasoline-engine motorcycles. The presales for these motorcycles, priced from approximately 5.5 million yen ($39,000), began on June 8. The new CVO models maintain the iconic design of their predecessors while incorporating modern digital gauges with touch panels. The cooling system has also been enhanced to manage the heat generated by the increased engine displacement.
Furthermore, Zeitz mentioned that Harley-Davidson is contemplating the introduction of the X350 motorcycle, which was launched in China this year, to the Japanese market. The X350 would be the smallest and most affordable motorcycle offered by Harley-Davidson in Japan. The aim is to attract new riders by providing an easy-to-ride model that still embodies the distinctive Harley-Davidson design.
