Harley-Davidson suspends production of electric motorcycle

New York

HARLEY-Davidson announced on Monday that it had suspended production and delivery of its LiveWire electric motorcycle, which the brand had rolled out as part of a diversification push.

"We recently discovered a non-standard condition during a final quality check; stopped production and deliveries; and began additional testing," the company said in a statement.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the decision came after a problem with the vehicle's battery charging was discovered.

The manufacturer did not say when they planned to resume production.

Unveiled in 2014, the LiveWire sold for around US$30,000 in North America and Western Europe, according to the Harley-Davidson website.

The manufacturer, based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the United States, has turned to electric vehicles to attract younger riders as it grapples with an aging customer base and a lack of innovation in its range.

The company's sales were down more than six per cent in the second quarter of this year.

Harley-Davidson's stock rose 0.31 per cent on Monday at the close of markets. AFP