"I want to carry out trial manufacture of
motorcycle engines." It was from these words spoken by Genichi Kawakami
(Yamaha Motor's first president) in 1953, that today's Yamaha Motor
Company was born.
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"If you're going to do something, be the best."
Genichi Kawakami |
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Genichi Kawakami was the first son
of Kaichi Kawakami, the third-generation president of Nippon Gakki
(musical instruments and electronics; presently Yamaha Corporation).
Genichi studied and graduated from Takachiho Higher Commercial School in
March of 1934. In July of 1937, he was the second Kawakami to join the
Nippon Gakki Company.
He quickly rose to positions of
manager of the company's Tenryu Factory Company (musical instruments)
and then Senior General Manager, before assuming the position of
fourth-generation President in 1950 at the young age of 38.
In 1953, Genichi was looking for a
way to make use of idle machining equipment that had previously been
used to make aircraft propellers. Looking back on the founding of Yamaha
Motor Company, Genichi had this to say. "While the company was
performing well and had some financial leeway, I felt the need to look
for our next area of business. So, I did some research." He explored
producing many products, including sewing machines, auto parts,
scooters, three-wheeled utility vehicles, and…motorcycles. Market and
competitive factors led him to focus on the motorcycle market. Genichi
actually visited the United States many times during this period.
When asked about this decision, he
said, "I had my research division chief and other managers visit
leading motorcycle factories around the country. They came back and
told me there was still plenty of opportunity, even if we were entering
the market late. I didn't want to be completely unprepared in this
unfamiliar business so we toured to German factories before setting out
to build our first 125cc bike. I joined in this tour around Europe
during which my chief engineers learned how to build motorbikes. We did
as much research as possible to insure that we could build a bike as
good as any out there. Once we had that confidence, we started going."
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| The first Yamaha motorcycle... the YA-1. |
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"If you are going to make it, make it the
very best there is." With these words as their motto,
the development team poured all their energies into building
the first prototype, and ten months later in August of 1954
the first model was complete. It was the Yamaha YA-1. The
bike was powered by an air-cooled, 2-stroke, single cylinder
125cc engine. Once finished, it was put through an unprecedented
10,000 km endurance test to ensure that its quality was top-class.
This was destined to be the first crystallization of what
has now become a long tradition of Yamaha creativity and an
inexhaustible spirit of challenge.
Then, in January of 1955 the Hamakita Factory
of Nippon Gakki was built and production began on the YA-1.
With confidence in the new direction that Genichi was taking,
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. was founded on July 1, 1955. Staffed
by 274 enthusiastic employees, the new motorcycle manufacturer
built about 200 units per month.
That same year, Yamaha entered its new YA-1 in
the two biggest race events in Japan. They were the 3rd Mt.
Fuji Ascent Race and the 1st Asama Highlands Race. In these
debut races Yamaha won the 125cc class. And, the following
year the YA-1 won again in both the Light and Ultra-light
classes of the Asama Highlands Race.
By 1956, a second model was ready for production.
This was the YC1, a 175cc single cylinder two-stroke. In 1957
Yamaha began production of its first 250cc, two-stroke twin,
the YD1.
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| The first Yamaha
to compete in America (1957). |
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Based on Genichi's firm belief that a product
isn't a product until it can hold it's own around the world,
in 1958 Yamaha became the first Japanese maker to venture
into the international race arena. The result was an impressive
6th place in the Catalina Grand Prix race in the USA. News
of this achievement won immediate recognition for the high
level of Yamaha technology not only in Japan but among American
race fans, as well. This was only the start, however.
Yamaha took quick action using the momentum gained
in the USA and began marketing their motorcycles through an
independent distributor in California. In 1958, Cooper Motors
began selling the YD-1 250 and the MF-1 (50cc, two-stroke,
single cylinder, step through street bike). Then in 1960,
Yamaha International Corporation began selling motorcycles
in the USA through dealers.
With the overseas experiences under his belt,
in 1960, Genichi then turned his attention to the Marine industry
and the production of the first Yamaha boats and outboard
motors. This was the beginning of an aggressive expansion
into new fields utilizing the new engines and FRP (fiberglass
reinforced plastic) technologies. The first watercraft model
was the CAT-21, followed by the RUN-13 and the P-7 123cc outboard
motor.
In 1963, Yamaha demonstrated its focus on cutting-edge,
technological innovations by developing the Autolube System.
This landmark solution was a separate oil injection system
for two-stroke models, eliminating the inconvenience of pre-mixing
fuel and oil.
Yamaha was building a strong reputation as a superior
manufacturer which was reflected in its first project carried
out in the new Iwata, Japan Plant, built in 1966. (The YMC
headquarters was moved to Iwata in 1972.) Toyota and Yamaha
teamed up to produce the highly regarded Toyota 2000 GT sports
car. This very limited edition vehicle, still admired for
its performance and craftsmanship, created a sensation among
enthusiast in Japan and abroad.
Genichi said, "I believe that the most important
thing when building a product is to always keep in mind the
standpoint of the people who will use it." An example
of the commitment to "walking in the customers' shoes"
was the move in 1966 by Yamaha to continue its expansion.
Overseas motorcycle manufacturing was established in Thailand
and Mexico. In 1968, the globalization continued with Brazil
and the Netherlands. With manufacturing bases, distributors
and R&D operations in a market, Yamaha could be involved
in grassroots efforts to build products that truly met the
needs of each market by respecting and valuing the distinct
national sensibilities and customs of each country. Yamaha
continues that tradition, today.
By the late 1960s, Yamaha had quality products
that had proven themselves in the global marketplace based
on superior performance and innovation. Distribution and product
diversity were on the right track. But Genichi knew that beyond
quality, success would demand more. He had this view on the
power of original ideas. "In the future, a company's
future will hinge on ideas over and above quality. Products
that have no character, nothing unique about them, will not
sell no matter how well made or affordable…and that would
spell doom for any company."
He also knew that forward vision, walking hand
in hand with original ideas, would create an opportunity for
the company and its customers that could mean years of happiness
and memorable experiences. Genichi said, "In the business
world today, so many people are obsessed with figures. They
become fixated on the numbers of the minute and without them
are too afraid to do any real work. But in fact, every situation
is in flux from moment to moment, developing with a natural
flow. Unless one reads that flow, it is impossible to start
out in a new field of business."
A real-world illustration of this belief is the
Yamaha DT-1. The world's first true off-road motorcycle debuted
in 1968 to create an entirely new genre we know today as trail
bikes. The DT-1 made a huge impact on motorcycling in the
USA because it was truly dirt worthy. Yamaha definitely "read
the flow" when it produced
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"Make
every challenge an opportunity."
Genichi Kawakami |
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the 250cc, single cylinder, 2-stroke, Enduro that
put Yamaha On/Off-Road motorcycles on the map in the USA.
The DT-1 exemplified the power of original ideas, forward
vision, and quick action coupled with keeping in mind the
customers' desires.
In years to come Yamaha continued to grow (and
continues to this day). Diversity increased with the addition
of products including snowmobiles, race kart engines, generators,
scooters, ATVs, personal watercraft and more.
Genichi Kawakami set the stage for Yamaha Motor
Company's success with his vision and philosophies. Total
honesty towards the customer and making products that hold
their own enables the company that serves people in thirty-three
countries, to provide an improved lifestyle through exceptional
quality, high performance products.
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| Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA Cypress, California |
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Genichi Kawakami's history with
Yamaha was long and rich. He saw the new corporate headquarters in
Cypress, California and the 25th Anniversary of Yamaha become a reality
in 1980. He also watched bike #20 million roll off the assembly line in
1982. Genichi passed away on May 25, 2002 yet his vision lives on
through the people and products of Yamaha, throughout the world.
As its mission statement, Yamaha Motor Company wants to satisfy its customers and exceed their
expectations with products and services of superior quality, unmatched
performance, and extraordinary value.
With an ever-expanding line that includes
motorcycles, outboard motors, ATVs, personal watercraft, snowmobiles,
boats, outdoor power equipment, race kart engines, accessories, apparel,
and much more, Yamaha Motor Corporation strive to
contribute to the quality of life.
Life can have many exciting, memorable experiences. Creating opportunities for them is what Yamaha is all about.
