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From an early age I have been surrounded by Yamaha products. Our boat had an Yamaha outboard engine, I got to play on a Yamaha piano during weekly practice and I got to ride 50cc scooters during my teenage years.

When I got my motorcycle license, the first motorcycle I bought was a Yamaha FZ6. This motorcycle enabled me to learn riding at a slower pace but step by step increasing the Revs and the fun. Riding it made me realize that the sporty character and attention to handling set Yamaha apart in the motorcycle industry.

In 2018, I got the chance to work in the Product Planning Division at Yamaha Motor Europe. This was it! My chance to combine my background in industrial design engineering with the passion for motorcycles and the Yamaha brand. And all that within 10 kilometers from my hometown, Uithoorn.

As a Product Planner for scooters, no working day is the same. I have the fortune to work on all kinds of activities with many great colleagues from various other divisions in the company. Everything from market surveys, design and testing of newly developed models, marketing activities, sales discussions, web trainings up to the planning of the future line-up of Yamaha scooters. I like working in the office, but what drives me the most is getting out in the market, seeing different cultures, meeting our customers and hearing their stories with Yamaha products.

One of the first project teams that I worked in was the 2023 XMAX. This iconic scooter from 2005 is a highly successful European creation, developed and produced by Yamaha Motor España (Spain) back then. The start of a project is always the most challenging part and where our input as Product Planners is required the most. We have to make sure that the design and development targets are in line with the requirements and taste of our European customers.

Together with Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. (Japan) and Yamaha Motor Research & Development Europe (Italy) , we decided on the main design targets: (1) The vertical movement in the front, translating the world’s first motorcycle type double clamped front fork in a scooter; (2) The boomerang being the spine of the bike and (3) the MAX characteristic dual eyes but now shaped in an X (XMAX). Other development areas were: a more progressive braking feeling and better ground access for shorter riders. A world first in this class of bikes is the TFT meter with full-map Garmin navigation.

Almost a year after the launch, you start seeing many of the latest generation XMAX on the street. One of the most satisfying things for me is seeing the proud owners. One of them was explaining how the headlight is shaped like an X for “XMAX”. A job done right!

The best thing about my job is being part of the Yamaha family. The teamwork and dedication enable us to create products that customers love to use. Of course, I cannot reveal anything… you just have to wait for the next unveiling of products!

Vincent van der Voort, Yamaha Motor Europe (YME)