Yamaha eyes bigger share of local motorcycle market

Yamaha Motor Co. Ltd. is planning to grab a bigger market share from Honda Motor this year with a more aggressive production and marketing of solo motorcycles.

According to Norkis Trading Co. senior vice president Manuel Gaspar E. Albos Jr., Yamaha is projecting sales of 60,000 units of its solo motorbikes this year, generating revenues of up to P3 billion.

Last year, Albos admitted Yamaha only had less than 10-percent market share of the solo motorbike segment as compared to Honda’s dominance of the market with a 45- percent market share.

Albos said Yamaha sold only 43,500 units last year, generating P1.8 billion in revenues.

Yamaha’s ambitious sales projection is hinged on the introduction of new solo motorbike model, two of which it unveiled yesterday.

Yamaha’s latest models are the Crypton R and Crypton Z mopeds.

It will also introduce the Novo model later this year.

According to Albos, "we will create a strong image in the solo segment through improvement of model designs, introduction of more accessories and improved customer care."

Likewise, Yamaha is embarking on a strong marketing campaign using the popular Taiwanese boy band group, F4, as image models.