Oops! Website uses 1918 article to report Harley expansion
For its 100th anniversary, Motorcyclist magazine reprinted a story from its May 1918 issue, headlined “Harley-Davidson Adds Factory To Increase Output.”
Some sites on Thursday reported the motorcycle firm’s expansion without realizing it was a 94-year-old event, and the old news quickly spread on social media.
RushLane's erroneous report
“Trade publications as far away as India picked up the story,” reports Rick Barrett, but “didn’t get the back-in-time angle.” The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter continues:
Harley-Davidson says it appreciated the historical value of the article but said that Motorcyclist Magazine should have been more clear it was from 1918 – only 15 years after Harley was founded.
“They could have identified it better with the dateline,” which said April 13, said Harley-Davidson spokeswoman Maripat Blankenheim.
RushLane — an India-based site for vehicle enthusiasts — ran the incorrect item shown here, then updated its story after realizing the information was nearly a century old. “We do not in anyway wish to misrepresent facts, and as is obvious, there is no new factory,” RushLane said. “We are apologetic for any and all confusion caused in the online media, and take full responsibility for the all important date omission.”
* 94-year-old magazine article produces online buzz about new Harley factory
* Rushlane.com: “We are apologetic for any and all confusion”
