Deeley No More?

Harley-Davidson is moving to a direct distribution model for Canada in 2017, and perhaps even sooner.
Right now, Harley-Davidson motorcycles are distributed in Canada by Deeley Harley-Davidson Canada, and has been the exclusive Harley-Davidson distributor since 1973. If a dealer wants a bike, they have to get it through Deeley. However, that deal ends in July, 2017, and the plan is to not renew after that.
According to a press release back in April, when the dead line arrives Harley-Davidson will supply independent Canadian dealers through direct distribution, cutting out Deeley as the middleman. The company already uses this arrangement in other countries, including Italy, Brazil, Australia,  and some other European countries.
But now there's talk about the the move coming even sooner than 2017. According to people in teh industry, Deeley and Harley-Davidson are actually talking about making the move as early as third quarter of 2015, which would be about now.
One would hope that this business move will show a benefit to the customer, with reduced prices on motorcycles and parts, plus quicker delivery from the factory for both as well. With American made Indian and Victory motorcycles delivering quality bikes, plus the other competition frrom the Japanese and U.K. manufacturers, Harley Davidson obviously needed to make a move for price parity. Let's see how that pans out, but like the old poster below will tell you, the times they are a changin'.

Not sure what I like most...the matching outfits, or the nicely tucked in tie under the H-D sweater!