Yamaha Committed to PWC

Earlier this week, Minnesota-based Polaris Industries Inc. announced that it plans to stop manufacturing personal watercraft and sport boats. Still, officials at Yamaha Watercraft in Kennesaw, Ga., say they remain faithful to the PWC market.
Yamaha reports marine sales during the 2004 season were 40% higher than sales during 2003, and Mark Speaks, president of Yamaha Watercraft, says he also anticipates substantial growth in the PWC segment for 2005.
“Yamaha remains firmly committed to the personal watercraft and boat business, and, in fact, is highly encouraged by the fact that today’s market has stabilized, and shows signs of positive growth for the future,” Speaks said. “Regardless of the type of business, in order to flourish, companies need to give customers a better value. Yamaha has embraced this philosophy and it is reflected in our products.
“Advances in technology and family-friendly designs are giving new reasons for first-time buyers to enter the market, and for return buyers to re-discover the enjoyment of a superior on-water recreational experience.”
Yamaha recently revealed its 2005 watercraft line-up. Among the craft is the VX series, a four-stroke family of watercraft with a MSRP starting at $6,999 – more than three thousand dollars less expensive than the industry average.