Features
May 14, 2007 – Yamaha shows rising PWC, UTV sales in its first quarter
Yamaha Motor Corp. showed a mixed first-quarter report of its powersports offerings.
The Japanese manufacturer says its PWC and UTV sales were up, but its motorcycle retail sales in the United States and ATV sales in North America lagged behind last year’s first-quarter numbers.
However, Yamaha reported its overall net sales rose $3.7 billion — nearly a 14 percent increase for its first quarter, which ended March 31. The earnings increase was attributed to increased motorcycle sales in large parts of Asia and Latin America as well as a positive impact from a weaker yen.
By segment, the company reported:
Outside North America, Yamaha reported mixed motorcycle sales. Its retail sales fell 7 percent in Europe to 110,000 bikes, but its sales in Asia grew 15.6 percent to 893,000 motorcycles. The company also reported vast growth in its sales to “other regions,” which have climbed 25 percent over the past year’s first quarter.
Looking Ahead
Even with better-than-expected first-quarter results, Yamaha is not changing its year-end numbers, predicting the company will wind up with $13.7 billion in sales. “Business conditions surrounding the company are expected to remain worrisome, reflecting uncertainties over the future of the U.S. economy and persistently high raw material prices,” the company stated in its press release.
