Contact: Laura Smith, Office of the Governor, 608-261-2162
SHANGHAI, CHINA – Governor Jim Doyle today visited Harley-Davidson’s newest dealership in Shanghai as part of his ongoing work to promote the iconic Wisconsin company and its growth in China. The Shanghai Harley-Davidson dealership is one of several to have opened in China since the Governor’s first trade mission to China in 2004.
“When I became Governor, Harley-Davidson’s growth was stalled by government restrictions in many Chinese markets,” Governor Doyle said. “Over the past seven and half years, we have made tremendous progress in helping Harley-Davidson sell its motorcycles and expand its operations throughout China. We have worked hard to ensure that Harley-Davidson keeps its manufacturing operations in Wisconsin and continues to seize opportunities in China’s growing market.”
With the help of Governor Doyle, Harley-Davidson has greatly expanded its presence in China. Shortly after Harley-Davidson joined the Governor’s 2004 trade mission, the company opened its first mainland China office in Shanghai in 2005. Since then, Harley-Davidson has opened dealerships in Beijing, Shanghai, Qingdao, Wenzhou, Xiamen, Dalian and Chengdu. This year, Harley-Davidson also opened a subsidiary operation in China to meet the unique needs of Chinese consumers.
During Governor Doyle’s trade missions to China in 2004, 2007 and 2009, the Governor met with Chinese officials to encourage them to permit wider use of motorcycles in the China. Governor Doyle has continued to meet with high-level U.S. and Chinese officials to address the licensing and riding restrictions placed on motorcycles by many Chinese cities.
The Governor has also taken aggressive steps to help Harley-Davidson keep its manufacturing operations in Wisconsin. Earlier this month, Governor Doyle announced the Wisconsin Department of Commerce is providing Harley-Davidson with a $25 million Enterprise Zone tax credit over nine years to support its operations. The package is a performance-based incentive linked to jobs and capital investment at the company, and purchases from their in-state suppliers.
Governor Doyle has worked to develop Wisconsin’s overall trade with China. When the Governor came into office, China was Wisconsin’s sixth largest trade partner with $417 million in exports. Today, China is the state’s third largest trade partner – behind only Canada and Mexico.
From September 24 – October 1, 2010, Governor Doyle is promoting Wisconsin businesses and holding high-level meetings with government and businesses leaders from Wisconsin and China in Beijing, Nanchang, Xi’an and Shanghai. During Governor Doyle’s visit, he is addressing specific issues facing Wisconsin businesses while forging relationships and building new partnerships that will help Wisconsin companies expand their export initiatives in China.
