Harley-Davidson to take electric motorcycle division LiveWire public via merger with SPAC

Harley-Davidson Inc.
HOG,
+0.29%
said Monday its LiveWire electric motorcycle business will go public by merging with special-purpose acquisition corporation AEA-Bridges Impact Corp.
IMPX,
-0.30%
in a deal with a pro forma enterprise value of about $1.77 billion. The company’s stock is expected to list on the New York Stock Exchange, under the ticker “LVW.” “LiveWire plans to redefine motorcycling as the industry-leading, all-electric motorcycle company, with a focus on the urban market and beyond,” the company said in a statement. It will have about $545 million in cash to accelerate its go-to-market model and invest in new product development and manufacturing. LiveWire will have two strategic partners — Harley-Davidson and KYMCO, a global powersports company headquartered in Taiwan. LiveWire was first established as a separate division at Harley in 2019. The company is also making STACYC, an all-electric balance bike for kids. Harley CEO Jochen Zeitz will remain as acting CEO of LiveWire for up to two years once the deal closes. The company will retain an equity state of about 74%, while ABIC’s shareholders will own about 17%. Harley will continue to account for LiveWire’s results of operations for GAAP financial reporting purposes. Harley shares jumped 11% premarket on the news.