Yamaha’s European press agency announced today that the company plans to exit the snowmobile market worldwide. The official press release is as follows:

Yamaha Motor has announced its plans to eventually withdraw from the snowmobile business. The company intends to stop selling snowmobiles in Japan by the 2022 model year, in Europe by the 2024 model year, and in North America by the 2025 model year.

1. History of the Business and Reasons for Withdrawal

In 1968, Yamaha introduced its first snowmobile, the SL350, using small engine technology developed in the motorcycle business. Over the past 55 years, Yamaha has developed snowmobiles for various purposes, including sports, leisure, and transportation in snowy areas of North America and Europe. Yamaha has also focused on environmentally-friendly 4-stroke models and partnerships with other companies to expand the business. However, the company has concluded that maintaining a sustainable business in the snowmobile market will be challenging. Yamaha will now concentrate its management resources on current business activities and new growth markets.

2. Future Actions

Yamaha will ensure that parts availability, service, and customer satisfaction related to snowmobiles are maintained even after the final production run of snowmobiles.

Production of the newly introduced 2024 models is already underway and scheduled for delivery in the fall. Yamaha distributors will collaborate closely with dealers to minimize the impact and optimize their business over the next 12 to 36 months.

3. Impact on Business Performance

The outlined schedule for exiting the snowmobile market will have a minor effect on Yamaha’s consolidated business results.

Yamaha sincerely thanks and values its snowmobile dealers and customers worldwide for their passionate support and shared enjoyment of this special winter activity.

*The Japanese market currently continues to sell only in stock