Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates

9 Months Ended

Sep. 26, 2021

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates

Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Harley-Davidson, Inc. and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly-owned (the Company), including the accounts of the groups of companies referred to as Harley-Davidson Motor Company (HDMC) and Harley-Davidson Financial Services (HDFS). In addition, certain variable interest entities (VIEs) related to secured financing are consolidated as the Company is the primary beneficiary. All intercompany accounts and material intercompany transactions have been eliminated.

The Company operates in two reportable segments: Motorcycles and Related Products (Motorcycles) and Financial Services.

In the opinion of the Company's management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the Consolidated balance sheets as of September 26, 2021 and September 27, 2020, the Consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine month periods then ended, the Consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three and nine month periods then ended, the Consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine month periods then ended, and the Consolidated statements of shareholders' equity for each of the three month periods within the nine month periods ended September 26, 2021 and September 27, 2020.

Certain information and disclosures normally included in complete financial statements have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) for interim financial reporting. The consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the Company's management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. During the first quarter of 2020, the outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) spread throughout the world, and it was recognized as a pandemic in March 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic has restricted the level of economic activity in the U.S. and around the world and the full extent of its impact is not yet known. Certain estimates used in the preparation of financial results for the period ending September 26, 2021 could be impacted in future periods as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.