Harley-Davidson Inc. says it plans to open an assembly operation in Brazil that will import U.S.-made components and subassemblies for final assembly. The manufacturer of motorcycles said it expects to begin constructing selected models in 1999 in the city of Manaus. The operation will be a joint venture between Harley-Davidson Motor Co. and Paulo Izzo, Harley-Davidson's representative in Brazil.
Harley-Davidson President and CEO Jeff Bleustein says the assembly operation will help the company combat trade restraint limits and steep import tariffs. In 1997 Harley-Davidson exported 600 motorcycles to Brazil.
