Total global unit sales for the first nine months of the year were 2,707,000 units, down from 3,818,000 for the year-ago period, with sales in all markets down, but less so in 'developed markets' such as Europe (145,000 units sold YTD against 151,000 for the first nine months of 2019) and North America (39,000 sold YTD against 71,000 in 2019).
For the third quarter, unit sales recovered more than Yamaha's revised forecast had projected in Thailand, India and Brazil and are now level with or ahead of the original 2020 full year forecast in Vietnam, China and India.
Net sales revenue for Q3 in Europe is in fact slightly up compared to that seen in Q3 of 2019 at 106.8bn yen against 106.5bn yen for the year-ago quarter. In terms of all developed markets (Japan, Europe, Oceania and North America), Q3 net sales revenue was 172.3bn yen against 176.7bn yen for the year-ago period. Yamaha stated that is has an "urgent need to restore product supply" to its developed markets.
Net sales revenue in emerging markets was 425.7bn yen for Q3 this year against 577.6bn yen for the year-ago period. Yamaha says that this marks a better than expected recovery of demand in its emerging markets and that the quarter saw online product bookings start in India.
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| The 'Tritown' - final mile integration with mass transit systems, and a whole bunch of fun! |
For the nine months to September 30, net sales in its 'Land Mobility' division were 682,360m yen, -19.3% (from 845,441m yen), compared to the year-ago period.
In total overall corporate terms, net sales were 15.8% down for the first nine months of the year at 1,067.1bn yen.
Among the other recent news from Iwata, Japan, its electric personal mobility concept model 'Tritown' looks like a whole bunch of fun, and it would appear that the judges at the prestigious German Design Awards 2021 agree, awarding it as the "Winner" in the Excellent Product Design category.
It is described by Yamaha as a "compact, electric two-front-wheeled stand-up riding mobility style unit equipped with a LMW (Leaning Multi Wheel) mechanism".
The most dramatic news for Yamaha's MY2021 must be the end of an era with the retirement of the YZF-R6. Introduced in 1999, it was designed to be a tad more accessible (and insurance friendly) than the R1, it was more successful than its Kawasaki and Suzuki counterparts, so there is speculation that maybe it is "just resting" - pending being born again - an au revoir rather than Sayonara.
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| Yamaha Tracer 9 GT |
The non-homologated track days and racing-only R6 Race can be customised with options from Yamaha's GYTR performance products range.
The WR250R and iconic VMAX are also gone. While the late model VMAX hasn't built up quite the following that the legendary original has, it has proven itself as a strong brand platform.
For Europe, the Tracer 7 is the new name for the 2019 updated Tracer 700, with the MT-07 getting major upgrades for 2021, and there is a new MT-09 Hyper Naked.
The Tracer 9 and new Tracer 9 GT (formerly the Tracer 900) receive some of the upgrades unveiled on the equally new MT-09, as the theme at Yamaha, and indeed across most of the industry as manufacturers seek Euro 5 compliance, appears to be "more power, less weight and increased versatility".
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| New for 2021, the MT-09 SP - "The most radical Yamaha Hyper Naked". The 845 cc inline triple will meet Euro 5 with a bump to 890 cc and around 120 hp. |
"Roads of Life" is the core concept behind Yamaha's Sport Touring segment, the goal being to "gather all types of riders who are all looking for the same goal. Each Yamaha Sport Touring is designed to provide an instant and accessible escape from the day-to-day world by giving everyone the chance to clear their minds and appreciate the wonders of the natural environment. Now, more than ever, we all need to be able to get outside at a moment's notice and create a new world where we can take charge of our destiny and live life to the fullest".
Promising "Ultimate Sports Versatility", the all-new Tracer 9 comes five years after the launch of the original model and Yamaha says it has created "all-new versions of the ultimate multi-role motorcycles that are designed to reaffirm the model's position as Europe's favourite Sport Touring bike and attract a new generation of riders to the category".
Highlights include the new lighter and more powerful EU5 890 cc CP3 inline three engine ('crossplane' technology); new CF die-cast Deltabox chassis; longer high-rigidity swingarm; full 3-bag luggage capability; "class-leading" electronic rider aids (6-axis IMU - Inertial Measurement Unit - from the R1, for "ultimate controllability"); Traction Control; Slide Control System (SCS); front wheel LIFt control system (LIF); three TCS/SCS/LIF mode settings; Brake Control system (BC); APSG ride-by-wire throttle and new higher-efficiency intake and exhaust for reduced weight.
In race news, Yamaha is celebrating the success of its 2020 racing strategy as the MX2 Manufacturer of the Year "thanks to the excellence of the YZ250F and the skill and determination of riders Jago Geerts, Ben Watson and Maxime Renaux - all three of whom visited the top step of the podium over the course of the season".
This achievement marks Yamaha's third Manufacturer's crown since the class was reinvented as MX2 in 2004, with the first title coming in 2005 and the second following two years later in 2007. Yamaha also won its fifth WMX Manufacturer's title thanks to the combined efforts of Nancy van de Ven and Larissa Papenmeier.
