Yamaha outboard motor production reaches 10 million mark
April 4, 2013
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. celebrates a historic milestone as our 10 millionth (cumulative) Yamaha outboard motor came off the production line today.
After manufacturing its first "P7" (7 hp) outboard motor in July 1960,cumulative production continued to mount, reaching five million units in March 1996 and eight million in October 2006. In the roughly six and a half years since then,another two million outboards have been produced, bringing the cumulative total to 10 million units today.
The marine engines used for propelling boats can be categorized into three types:outboard motors, sterndrives (inboard-outboard motors) and inboard motors. Of these types, Yamaha Motor manufactures and markets primarily outboard motors for use on smaller pleasure-use and utility boats.
Yamaha Motor applies its core competence in small engine technology to the development,manufacture and marketing of outboards motors designed to meet specific market needs. With high performance, light weight and compactness as its uniform concept, the Yamaha outboard motor lineup is comprised of 4-stroke models ranging from 2 hp to 350 hp,and 2-stroke models ranging from 2 hp to 250 hp. Currently, Yamaha outboard motors are supplied to customers in some 180 countries and territories worldwide, where they are supported by a solid service network and promoted with particular focus in areas such as the modernization of regional fishing industries and the spread of marine leisure.
Yamaha outboard motors are manufactured at four production bases: the Fukuroi South Factory (Fukuroi City, Shizuoka Prefecture) and group company Yamaha Kumamoto Products Co., Ltd. (Yatsushiro City, Kumamoto Prefecture) in Japan, MBK Industrie in France and Yamaha Motor da Amazonia Ltda. (YMDA) in Brazil.Total production from the four bases in 2012 was approximately 320,000 units.
Under the new medium-term management plan Yamaha Motor started this year,the company will "pursue true Yamaha-ness" by applying unique concepts with a true Yamaha essence that make us shine and exceed the customers' expectations in our "Monozukuri" (engineering, manufacturing and marketing), "Marketing" excellence and in "New Businesses." For the outboard motor business as well, the company will set about creating new marine technologies while continuing to develop and manufacture high-performance, easy-to-use outboard motors that have outstanding durability and boast greater levels of compactness and weight reduction. At the same time, we will pursue even better environmental friendliness and supply products tailored to the specific needs of each use environment around the world; aiming to solidify the Yamaha brand current market position.
