Harley-Davidson Holds Shareholders Meeting

American motorcycle manufacturer Harley-Davidson held its annual shareholders meeting the past weekend, a few days after announcing a 18.2 percent decrease in sales for the first quarter in the United States. The meeting was headed by Keith Wandell, President and Chief Executive Officer of Harley-Davidson, Inc., and John Olin, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

"Throughout the past 16 months we have taken a number of actions to address the immediate challenges and establish a bold, clear direction that will maximize our opportunities going forward," said Wandell. "We have come a long way in a short amount of time, and I could not feel better about the progress we have made and where we are headed."

The 500 shareholders in attendance approved proposal for the annual election of directors which will become effective today, finalizing the election of returning directors Dick Beattie, Judson Green, Tom Linebarger and Barry Allen to one-year terms. As of the 2012 shareholders meeting, all directors will stand for annual election.

"Harley-Davidson has defined a clear road forward with its strategy for the future, and is implementing its strategy with confidence, determination and decisiveness. From the Board's perspective, as we look at all that has been accomplished, it is a real tribute to the entire management team and all of the Company's employees," Board Chairman Barry Alle said.

The Company announced that the Board of Directors approved a cash dividend of $0.10 per share for the second quarter of 2010, payable June 18, 2010 to holders of record of the Company's common stock on June 3, 2010.