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It’s Time to Stand Together.

Built by Dealers, for Dealers, the NPDA is your voice in the Powersports industry.

Together, we tackle the challenges no dealership can face alone—providing the tools, staying ahead of critical issues, and delivering the resources you need to grow, stay profitable, and lead in a competitive market.


Strength in numbers means every Dealer counts. Your voice matters.


♦️Already a member? Thank you—your support is shaping the future of our industry.

♦️Not yet a member? Now is the time. Your dealership deserves a seat at the table.


Don’t wait on the sidelines. Join the NPDA today and be part of the movement driving our industry forward.

UNITE NOW!

A powerful example of dealers uniting for impact is the ongoing work of the H-D Council—ensuring that Harley-Davidson dealers have a clear, unified voice in the critical conversation about the brand’s leadership and future.

Here’s the latest resource from the Council, created to keep you informed and equipped.

While these issues may directly affect H-D dealers today, make no mistake: tomorrow, they could impact every dealership in our industry.

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Stay informed. Stay prepared. Stand united.

The National Powersports Dealer Association (NPDA) was organized for times like these.

The recent turmoil in the Harley-Davidson Motor Company (HOG) board room has spilled

into the open and there is now a rising tide for change in HDMC leadership. A board

member, Jared Douderville, has resigned for many of the reasons that align with issues we have been communicating for a long while. Jared is a member of H Partners, who own approximately 9.1 percent of the outstanding shares of HOG. They have launched a public website urging shareholders, dealers and riders to participate in their efforts to bring about changes to the Harley-Davidson leadership and brand. The website link is:


https://www.freetheeagle.com


and it provides details about their position on issues and their vision for the future of

Harley-Davidson. 

 

We urge our members and all Harley-Davidson Dealers to visit this website as soon as possible to understand the current circumstances, add your contact information to be kept informed on future updates and provide anonymous feedback of your views. This is a crossroads for the Harley-Davidson brand and its future. 


Stay connected with the NPDA and the Harley-Davidson Council to stay informed of

developments as they occur. Please contact us via email or phone with your views and concerns. 

Here is a link to HD Council members who await your comments: 

Contact the H-D Council 

Respectfully,

Harley-Davidson Council of the NPDA

Harley-Davidson Board Timeline

April 8, 2025

  • Jochen Zeitz announces he will retire as CEO later in 2025, after a successor is named.
  • Harley-Davidson states the leadership transition is planned and underway.
  • The stock sees little immediate reaction, but concerns about long-term strategy resurface.

April 9–12, 2025

  • Analysts and media note mixed reviews of Zeitz’s tenure:
  • Credited for cost-cutting and brand streamlining.
  • Criticized for weak EV momentum and sales stagnation.
  • Shareholders begin voicing concerns about board leadership and succession transparency.

April 15, 2025

  • Reports emerge that H Partners, Harley-Davidson’s second-largest shareholder (9%), is preparing a campaign to challenge board control.
  • They argue Zeitz has held too much influence for too long (18 years on the board), and blame the leadership for underperformance.

April 16, 2025

  • H Partners formally calls for shareholders to withhold votes for three board members at the upcoming annual meeting (May 14, 2025):
  • Jochen Zeitz
  • Thomas Linebarger
  • Sara Levinson
  • The firm criticizes:
  • Harley’s poor shareholder returns.
  • Lack of urgency in finding a successor.
  • A “culture of complacency,” including remote leadership.

Ongoing (as of April 21, 2025)

  • Harley-Davidson has not yet named a successor.
  • Proxy battle expected to escalate leading up to annual shareholder meeting on May 14, 2025.
  • Media and investors closely watch for:
  • Board’s next moves.
  • Potential nominations from H Partners.
  • CEO shortlist or internal candidates surfacing.

Key Issues and Sources


Leadership & Governance

  • CEO Retirement: Jochen Zeitz announced plans to retire in 2025 after five years as CEO. He will remain in the role until a successor is appointed. ​
  • Activist Campaign: H Partners, holding a 9.1% stake, launched the "Free the Eagle" campaign, urging shareholders to withhold votes for Zeitz and two other board members, citing concerns over leadership performance and strategic direction. ​

DEI Policy Rollback

  • Scaling Back DEI Initiatives: In April 2024, Harley-Davidson discontinued its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, including hiring quotas and supplier diversity goals, following pressure from conservative activists. ​

Financial Performance

  • Stock Performance: Harley-Davidson's stock has declined significantly, underperforming the S&P 500, raising concerns among investors about the company's strategic direction and market competitiveness. ​

Sources

News Articles:

I



The Wall Street Journal-The Boardroom Eruption Over the Future of Harley-Davidson

April 18, 2025 — How a dispute over the next CEO, remote work and DEI led to a director's resignation and his public battle to oust other board members



Fox Business-Major investor in Harley-Davidson wants CEO, two others removed

April 16, 2025 — A major shareholder in Harley-Davidson is calling for significant changes to the company's board, arguing CEO Jochen Zeitz and two other


Milwaukee Journal Sentinel-Harley-Davidson Proxy Fight Aims to Fire CEO Jochen Zeitz and Oust Two Board Members

April 16, 2025-- Harley-Davidson Inc.'s second-largest investor has urged shareholders to remove three directors from the board and fire CEO Jochen Zeitz, holding them accountable for Harley's lackluster...


ReutersHarley CEO Zeitz plans to retire this year amid turnaround - ReutersApril 7, 2025 — Harley-Davidson's Jochen Zeitz plans to retire as CEO in 2025, the company said on Tuesday, ending a five-year tenure marked by efforts to...


Harley-Davidson Investor RelationsCEO Search Process Confirmed - Harley-Davidson

April 8, 2025 — Zeitz will remain as CEO until such successor is identified to ensure an orderly leadership transition. The Board is grateful to Mr. Zeitz for ...

Next Major Milestone:

🗓️ May 14, 2025 — Annual Shareholder Meeting

  • Will reveal whether shareholder pressure successfully reshapes the board and potentially influences the CEO choice.

Boardroom Battle: "Free the Eagle" Campaign​


An activist campaign by

H Partners seeks to reshape Harley-Davidson's leadership. The firm is advocating for the removal of CEO Jochen Zeitz and directors Thomas Linebarger and Sara Levinson, highlighting issues of underperformance and governance. Details are available at 


FreeTheEagle.com

Join the NPDA Today


Invest in your dealership's future by becoming a member of the NPDA. Your membership not only provides valuable resources and support but also strengthens the collective voice of Harley-Davidson Dealers nationwide.​

JOIN NOW!

About the NPDA Harley-Davidson Council

As Harley-Davidson dealers navigate an evolving powersports landscape, the need for a unified voice has never been more critical. Recognizing this, the National Powersports Dealer Association (NPDA) established the Harley-Davidson Dealer Council—a dedicated platform designed to address the unique challenges and opportunities faced by Harley-Davidson retailers.​

This council aims to foster collaboration among dealers, advocate for their collective interests, and enhance profitability across the network. By providing a structured environment for dialogue and strategy development, the council empowers Dealers to share insights, tackle common concerns, and influence industry practices.​


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National Powersports Dealer Association


435 S. Washington St. Falls Church, VA 22046

(844) 673-2266


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Our Vission Statement

Our Vision is for the NPDA to advance our industry by elevating Dealers to be well prepared, sustainably profitable and exceed the expectations of a growing Powersports customer base.

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