Yamaha Motor Marks Record Annual Profit in 2017

Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. has announced that net income soared nearly 61% to a company-record 101.6 billion yen or $950 million in fiscal 2017, which finished on December 31. The huge increase was driven by sales of higher-end products and cost reductions achieved through advanced processes for manufacturing and refined development methods for platform- and global-model motorcycles. Net sales rose over 11% to 1.67 trillion yen or $15.6 billion on strong sales of motorcycles in the ASEAN region, outboard motors in the US and surface mounters and industrial robots. Ordinary income surged nearly 52% to 154.8 billion yen or $1.4 billion.

Motorcycle unit sales in the ASEAN region scored their highest year-over-year gain since 2011. Net sales overall increased and operating income rose substantially on increased sales of products in higher price ranges and the effects of cost reductions in emerging markets such as Brazil and the ASEAN region.

Marine-sector unit sales of outboard motors and water vehicles sales rose and boat production was boosted by boat-builder acquisitions in Europe and the US. Operating income increased on an improved model mix due to increased sales of large outboard motors in North America and Europe.

Yamaha Motor is forecasting stable income in fiscal 2018. Medium- to long-term initiatives should see solid progress assuming that business conditions continue to hold. Net sales are expected to rise 1.8% to 1,700 billion yen or $15.9 billion and net income should climb about 1.4 percent to 103 billion yen or $964 million. Operating income and ordinary income are expected to be on par with their fiscal 2017 levels.

The Sturgis Motorcycle Museum and Hall of Fame recently named Marilyn Stemp and Steve Piehl to its board of directors.

Stemp is a pioneering figure in the motorcycle industry, founding IronWorks Magazine with her late husband, Dennis, and becoming the first female editor of a nationally circulated, mainstream motorcycle magazine. She also revived their trade magazine, Iron Trader News; edits the monthly Kiwi Indian News; contributes to several powersports media outlets; and is the founding editor of Sturgis Rider Daily. Stemp is a noted editor and writer of several motorcycle-focused books. Her consistent support for charitable efforts in the industry include the annual Biker Belles Celebration, Las Vegas BikeFest and as campaign chair for the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum’s development plan in 2014. She co-founded the Flying Piston charity events taking place in Daytona and Sturgis each year and is a National Ambassador for All Kids Bike. Stemp was inducted into both the Las Vegas Motorcycle Hall of Fame and the Sturgis Museum's Hall of Fame in 2018, and in 2022 she was recognized as one of the Top 100 Women in Powersports by DealerNews.