International Dealer News IDN 154 April/May 2020 | Page 19

THE BRADLEY REPORT
Yamaha
Yamaha Europe had temporarily
suspended production at its
facilities at Bologna, Italy,
(Motori Minarelli engine plant
at Calderara di Reno) and
northern France (MBK Industrie
assembly plant at Saint
Quentin) initially until March
22nd, but, of course, indefinitely
thereafter as the situation
worsened in both countries and
as governments ramped up the
restrictions.
Eric de Seynes, President, Chief
Executive Officer of Yamaha
Motor Europe (Netherlands),
stated: "The decision to
temporarily close the two
facilities was made for the
wellbeing and peace of mind of
the workforce in Italy and
France, both countries where
social distancing is a key
component of the government's
strategy to combat the spread
of the coronavirus. We are
following the authorities'
directives in Italy and France to
ensure that employees at both
facilities are not disadvantaged
financially as a result of the
temporary closures.
"The health of our employees
and our social responsibility are
our priorities at this stage. We
highly value the skills and
commitment of a workforce
that has shown tremendous
loyalty to Yamaha, but now
faces an unprecedented
situation outside of the
workplace. For their peace of
mind, we are working to ensure
that no employee will lose out
financially between now and
the return to a stable situation
both in Italy and France."
Like most manufacturers, they
have been cancelling events -
dealer and national events -
such as dealer open days, demo
weekends, road shows and
races.
Meanwhile Yamaha too has
been garnering more
prestigious design awards - a
Red Dot and German iF Design
Award for its much acclaimed
water-cooled inline twin Ténéré
700.
Yamaha's full-year 2019 results
showed a continued decline for
its global motorcycle
operations, but with Europe as a
(modest) bright spot. The
company's Land Mobility
division (as it is now termed)
saw revenue down by -1.6%.
Global unit volume was down in
2019 by -5.9% (5,056 million
units).
"Developed bike market"
revenues were -2.3%, with
Europe showing growth at
+1.1% in revenue terms and
+5.7% in unit terms at 186,000
units sold in Europe in 2019.
Unit sales in North America
were -6% at 63,000; domestic
Japanese unit sales were -5.4%
at 88,000 units.
Ténéré 700
INTERNATIONAL DEALER NEWS - APRIL/MAY 2020
19