Posted on: May 4, 2022 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

16 Facts You Never Knew about Yamaha

Everything about Yamaha

Yamaha started off as a small company but today it is one of the leading global conglomerates. It is one of the largest motorcycle companies in the world presently and has a presence in many countries, India being one of the main markets. Many Yamaha motorbikes are sold in the country every day and that is why the Yamaha insurance plans are much in demand too. If you are the proud owner of a Yamaha vehicle and want to know more about the manufacturer, we are here to help!

1. Who is the Founder Of Yamaha Company?

The company was founded by a Japanese person named Torakusu Yamaha. Interestingly, he did not begin with building motor vehicles - rather his first venture was to fix a damaged reed organ in the year 1887. After dabbling with organs for some years, Torakusu Yamaha finally founded the Yamaha Corporation.

2. Who is the Owner Of Yamaha Motor Company?

The Yamaha Motor Company is a public limited company. This means some shareholders own the stakes of the company. However, certain prominent people on the board are the key decision-makers of the organisation. One of the most significant names here is Yoshihiro Hidaka. He is the President of Yamaha Co., Ltd. Mr Hidaka is also the Chief Executive Officer and Representative Director. Mr Hiroyuki Yanagi serves as the Chairman and Representative Director.

3. What Does the Yamaha Logo Mean?

The Yamaha logo has undergone several changes over the years. However, a common element has remained in it - a tuning fork. The tuning fork signifies the roots of the company which is essentially a musical instrument repairing organisation. Though Yamaha forayed into automobiles soon, the musical roots remain. The current three-fork logo stands for technology, production and sales.

4. What is Yamaha Famous for?

Yamaha is famous for its motorbikes. It is one of the leading producers of two-wheelers all across the world. It has a lot of customers in India as the Yamaha two-wheelers are extremely popular here. As a result, many Yamaha insurance plans are also sold in the country. This apart, the company is also quite well known for its pianos and keyboards.

5. Is Yamaha a Japanese Brand?

Yes, Yamaha is a Japanese company that originated in Japan itself. The founder of the company, Torakusu Yamaha, was also Japanese. The company abides by many Japanese principles and hence, is a pure-bred Japanese organisation.

6. Is Yamaha an Indian Company?

Motor India Pvt. Ltd, which was established in 1985, is an Indian subsidiary of Yamaha. The firm is headquartered in India and the regional production happens here. However, the parent company of Yamaha is still based in Japan.

7. Is Yamaha Owned by Toyota?

No, Yamaha is not owned by Toyota. However, Toyota is the second-largest stakeholder in the company, holding about 3.8% of the company’s shares. Yamaha Corporation is the largest shareholder of Yamaha Motor Company and therefore, the rightful owners of the company.

8. What was the First Product Produced by Yamaha?

It was in the late 19th century that Yamaha started its operations by manufacturing a reed organ. Just a few years later, in the year 1900, the company started manufacturing pianos. Musical instruments were its major market for over half a century. It was only in 1955 that Yamaha manufactured its first motorcycle. It was a YA-1, a single-cylinder motorcycle with a 125 CC two-cycle engine.

9. Why does Yamaha Make Pianos and Motorcycles?

Yamaha started off as a manufacturer of reed organs in the 1880s. It progressed to manufacturing pianos in the early 1900s. The company gained a lot of clientele by being a piano manufacturer and the legacy continues to date. The automobile wing was started in 1955 and developed as a subsidiary and eventually, a separate entity. Hence, today we have both pianos, as well as motorcycles, under the Yamaha brand.

10. What was the First Yamaha Motorcycle?

A street bike, the YA-1, a single-cylinder motorcycle with a 125 CC two-cycle engine was the first two-wheeler to be manufactured by Yamaha. It was built and produced in 1955. The model was similar to the German DKW RT 125. Today, there are several models being sold and every bike is covered with a suitable Yamaha insurance plan.

11. Where are Yamaha Motorcycles Produced?

A vast majority of the motorcycles of Yamaha are produced in Japan. They have a massive production plant in Iwata. There are local manufacturing units in other countries too, including India.

12. Are Yamaha Motorcycles Still Made in the U.S.?

There is a big manufacturing unit in the US, in the state of Georgia. The unit, which started in 1986, is known as the Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation of America. The unit is mainly in the manufacture of golf carts, watercraft and recreational off-road vehicles. The vehicles manufactured here are sold all across the world.

13. What Products does Yamaha Make?

As we all know, Yamaha is best known as being a two-wheeler manufacturer. While Yamaha’s best selling product is definitely its motorcycles, the brand is also a global leader in manufacturing pianos. As a piano and keyboard manufacturer, Yamaha is a brand to reckon with.

Apart from these two major products, Yamaha has also diversified a lot and now manufactures computer parts, home appliances, various types of vehicles such as golf carts, etc. The company is a true conglomerate and has many products on offer.

14. Does Yamaha Manufacture Cars?

One of the main products manufactured by Yamaha is engine components. The company manufactures various engine parts that are used by cars, especially the Toyota models. Thus, though Yamaha doesn't directly manufacture cars, it has a role to play in the components of various cars.

15. Which Cars have Yamaha Engines?

Toyota and Ford are two of the top suppliers to whom Yamaha supplies engine parts, so the Yamaha engines are used in several Ford and Toyota cars.

16. How Many Motorcycles does Yamaha Sell?

Yamaha sold bikes worth 1.5 trillion yen in 2020. However, this was almost 11% down from the 2019 sales. The pandemic had hit the company hard, but there are steady and definite signs of recovery and that is good news for all the Yamaha enthusiasts.

Conclusion

Now that you know more about the facts related to Yamaha, you will enjoy riding your Yamaha bike even more! Remember to always keep your Yamaha insurance plan active and keep your vehicle safe and protected.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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