Kawasaki donates over $300,000 in product support to MMI

Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A., announced its support of Motorcycle Mechanics Institute (MMI) education efforts that will include a donation of 36 Kawasaki products, including motorcycles, ATVs, side x sides, and personal watercraft. The equivalent retail value reaches a total of more than $300,000 and utilizes Kawasaki’s wide-range lineup with Ninja, Z family, Versys, Vulcan, KX, and KLX motorcycles, Brute Force ATVs, Mule side-by-sides, and Jet Ski personal watercraft models.

MMI is a division of Universal Technical Institute (UTI), the nation’s leader in training transportation technicians.

“The MMI is a fundamental part of our industry,” said Bill Jenkins, Senior VP Sales and Operations. “The industry-leading technical training educates and guides future professionals of our industry and feeds our dealers with qualified technicians.”

Kawasaki’s efforts are designed to support MMI’s technical training programs that prepare its graduates for future technician positions and careers at Kawasaki dealerships across the nation. After completing MMI’s core program, students take elective courses that help to familiarize them with specific product lines and maintenance procedures, ensuring professional-level service.

“For nearly three decades, Kawasaki has trusted MMI to train the skilled technicians who maintain and service their products across the nation,” said Roger Speer, Campus President, MMI Phoenix and Orlando. “This latest contribution of vehicles gives our students the opportunity to train on the very latest Kawasaki products, so they graduate from MMI ready to hit the ground running.”

Kawasaki worked closely with MMI to develop the K-Tech program, which gives students specialized and advanced training in Kawasaki’s specific vehicles and technology. Available at MMI Phoenix and Orlando campuses, the 12-week elective trains students to work on a wide range of Kawasaki vehicles, including motorcycles, ATVs, utility vehicles, personal watercraft and recreational utility vehicles, both gas and diesel.

Kawasaki is one of more than 30 manufacturer partners who help design UTI and MMI training programs and outfit campuses with the latest vehicles and the same tools and sophisticated technology graduates will see and use on the job. These partners and their dealers also hire UTI and MMI graduates.

Kawasaki’s most recent contribution to the K-Tech program includes:

• 21 street motorcycles (e.g., Ninja 400, ZX10R, ZX-14R)
• 7 Mule side-by-sides (e.g., Mule Pro-FXT)
• 3 JT1500 Jet Ski
• 2 KX 450
• 2 KVF750 Brute Force 4X4
• 1 KRT800 Teryx4

“We’re thrilled to give the MMI and future technicians the best education on Kawasaki models,” said Patrick Kelly, Director Customer and Technical Support. “These 36 Kawasaki models will add to the curriculum and continue the successful K-Tech Specialist Program.”