Yamaha reports a yen 47.3 bn. (+6.5 percent) increase in net sales revenue for its motorcycle operations for the first nine months of its 2015 financial year (the period January to September) with global net sales of motorcycle products at yen 771.3 billion, generating operating income of yen 28.9 bn - an increase of +11.3 bn yen/63.7%.
The company says that unit sales of motorcycles increased in developed markets such as North America and Europe, thanks to the effect of new product launches such as the 'YZF-R1' and the 'MT-09 TRACER'.
Unit sales in emerging markets such as Vietnam, the Philippines and Taiwan increased, but decreased in Indonesia and Brazil due to the economic conditions in those markets.
Net sales revenue increased thanks to sales of products in the higher price range in emerging markets and the effect of new products. Operating income also increased because of factors such as the effect of sales increases, cost reductions and yen depreciation absorbing negative factors such as increases in development costs and currency depreciation in emerging markets.
Overall Yamaha net sales were yen 1,214.2 bn , an increase of yen 89.6 bn (+8.0%) compared with the same period of the previous fiscal year. Operating income was yen 100.0 bn, an increase of yen 29.0 bn (+40.8%) compared with the same period of the previous fiscal year.
Yamaha says it expects full-year net sales revenue to be below the initial forecast due to the decrease in unit sales in emerging markets. However, operating income and ordinary income are expected to exceed the initial forecast thanks to the "solid business" being done in developed markets.
The company continues to refine its "Monozukuri" business objectives (production), saying that domestically it will continue to develop competitive new technology and platforms, while in global terms its focus is to develop models that "provide versatility, uniqueness and fresh appeal".
It aims to rationalise its current seven "Blue Core" engine concepts down to three, with the aim of making 5 million of its next-generation platform engine a year by 2020.
