(Yahoo) Harley-Davidson released a statement on Monday renouncing DEI and other controversial company initiatives in the wake of social-media outrage and withering pressure from longtime loyal bikers.
“It is critical to our business that we hire and retain the best talent and that all employees feel welcome,” the statement reads.
“That said, we have not operated a DEI function since April 2024, and we do not have a DEI function today. We do not have hiring quotas and we no longer have supplier diversity spend goals.”
The statement also said Harley-Davidson was reassessing employee training initiatives and sponsorships while refocusing on its most loyal customers.
“As a consumer brand, we will focus exclusively on growing the sport of motorcycling and retaining our loyal riding community, in addition to the support we already provide to first responders, active military members and veterans.”
One veteran felt it was a long overdue mea culpa by the bike maker, but remained skeptical.
“I think it’s great. But they never should have changed in the first place,” Jesse Clay, a former U.S. Navy SEAL and longtime Harley-Davidson rider from Colorado, told Fox News Digital.
“Let’s see what actually happens.”
Harley-Davidson had faced grumblings for years from longtime customers, including hard-core bikers, who claimed that the Milwaukee-based company“used” them to build its “bad–s” brand, then abandoned them as the motorcycle’s popularity expanded to upscale riders.
