(July 22, 2014) MILWAUKEE — Harley-Davidson second-quarter 2014 diluted earnings per share of $1.62 grew 33.9 percent on higher motorcycle shipments and continued improvement in operating efficiencies, compared to the year-ago period.

Second-quarter net income was $354.2 million on consolidated revenue of $2 billion, compared to net income of $271.7 million in the year-ago period on consolidated revenue of $1.79 billion.

Through six months, Harley-Davidson 2014 net income was $620.1 million on consolidated revenue of $3.73 billion, compared to six-month 2013 net income of $495.9 million on consolidated revenue of $3.37 billion. Six-month 2014 diluted earnings per share were $2.82, up 28.2 percent from EPS of $2.20 in the year-ago period.

"Harley-Davidson's second-quarter results reflect the financial strength of the company and brand, including the benefits of continuous improvement throughout our operation," said Harley-Davidson, Inc. Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Keith Wandell. "As a customer-led organization, our employees, dealers in 90 countries and suppliers are focused every day on providing outstanding products and experiences for customers around the world."

Dealers worldwide sold 90,218 new Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the second quarter of 2014 compared to 90,193 motorcycles in the year-ago quarter. In the U.S., dealers sold 58,225 new Harley-Davidson motorcycles in the quarter, compared to sales of 58,241 motorcycles in the year-ago period.

The company believes second-quarter U.S. retail sales were adversely affected by prolonged poor weather across parts of the U.S. and soft Sportster motorcycle sales ahead of the highly anticipated arrival of Street motorcycles in dealer showrooms.

In international markets, dealers sold 31,993 new Harley-Davidson motorcycles during the second quarter, compared to 31,952 motorcycles in the year-ago period, with sales up 7.0 percent in the EMEA Region and 1.5 percent in the Asia Pacific Region, and down 10.4 percent in the Latin America Region and 18.0 percent in Canada.

"U.S. retail Harley-Davidson sales fell short of our expectations in the second quarter," said Wandell. "Because we are committed to managing supply in line with demand, we are reducing our full-year shipment plan and now expect shipment growth of approximately 3-1/2 to 5-1/2 percent over last year." The Company previously had forecast full-year shipment growth of approximately 7 to 9 percent.

"We believe the underlying demand fundamentals of the business remain intact," said Wandell. "We continue to see a strong response to the new Rushmore models as well as great interest in the Harley-Davidson Street 750 and 500, which began to hit dealer showrooms in late June."

Through the first six months of 2014, dealers sold 147,633 new Harley-Davidson motorcycles worldwide, compared to 144,447 motorcycles in the year-ago period, with retail unit sales up 1.1 percent in the U.S., 10.1 percent in the Asia Pacific Region and 7.5 percent in the EMEA Region, and down 2.1 percent in the Latin America Region and 13.5 percent in Canada, compared to the year-ago period.