SOURCE: Harley-Davidson

[Milwaukee, WI] Harley-Davidson, Inc. announced today that it has acquired substantially all of the stock of Buell Motorcycle Company (BMC) of East Troy, Wis. Harley-Davidson had previously owned 49% of BMC with the remaining shares owned by company founder Erik Buell. Buell has retained a minority interest in BMC and remains Chairman and Chief Technical Officer. He has now entered into a long-term employment agreement with Harley-Davidson "We are firmly committed to Buell as a separate and distinct product and brand," said Jerry Wilke, president of BMC. "The ownership change allows Buell Motorcycle Company to move forward with exciting plans for growth and take full advantage of our partnership with Harley-Davidson." "Buell is an integral part of our strategy for expanding into new markets and attracting new customers into the sport of motorcycling," said Jeff Bleustein, president and CEO of Harley-Davidson, Inc. "I couldn't be happier," said Erik Buell. "This is recognition of the accomplishments that our team has made in establishing Buell as a player in the highly-competitive sportbike market. And we will continue to develop the most exciting motorcycles in the industry." Buell Restructured -- add one The transaction is a stock-for-stock exchange which closed yesterday following approval by Harley-Davidson's Board of Directors. Buell Motorcycle Company designs and manufactures sport and sport-touring motorcycles which are sold in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia.

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