Today Yamaha Motor is one of the pillars of the motorcycle industry globally. But 70 years ago, on July 1, 1955, he was taking his first steps as far as motorcycles are concerned. It was then that he began to manufacture the Y-1, a small 125 monocylindrical and two-stroke with an approximate monthly production of 200 units.
That was the starting point with which the spirit was born that since then moves to Yamaha and now, seven decades later, philosophy continues with the emotion and satisfaction of the user at the center of each decision and innovation (in Japanese, Kando). A philosophy and a way of acting that has led Yamaha to have a presence in more than 180 countries, where it offers products from the motorcycles to off-road vehicles, outboard motors, waverunners, light vehicles, e-bikes and electrical bicycle propulsion systems.
In Spain Yamaha does not have been established for the commercial limitations that were for many years, but it is already more than 40 years in national territory since it arrived in 1981. For three decades, until the closing in 2012, it had a plant in Palau-Solità I Foldamans, from which more than a million and a half motorcycles came out. Models such as the JOG, the TZR 80, or the XMAX saga left its facilities before European production was transferred to France.
It is estimated that in all the years that Yamaha has been in our country, more than 3,500 people have been part of their team. “The history of Yamaha in Spain is also the story of thousands of people who have believed in a different way of moving, working and living with passion. To all of them, thanks. The future is built accelerating together ”, Víctor González, General Director of Yamaha Motor España, indicates.
Innovation in the past and the present are the future of Yamaha Motor
In these 70 years Yamaha Motor has highlighted, at least for the general public, for motorcycles. And although now in the market they have spectacular motorcycles such as the Yamaha R9, I will be 700 or the MT saga, there have been many other motorcycles that have changed their segments. Already historical motorcycles such as the FZR 1000 or later the R1, they are already collection jewels.
And Yamaha has always been linked to the competition of both prototypes and series derived models and, of course, the offroad where the saga yz is either two or four times, has dyed blue the cross circuits and the enduro crons from all over the world.
In the same way, a point where Yamaha Motor has highlighted has always been in the most utilitarian vehicles. Following the spirit of that first Y-1 today and for a long time, it has a wide range of scooters so that personal mobility has no limits. And if we could only highlight one of Yamaha’s scooters, perhaps the TMAX is the reference.
Even so, Yamaha Motor is much more than motorcycles
With the passage of time, Yamaha Motor was opening his fan and in addition to being strong on motorcycles, he explored other ways in which he has highlighted. One of them is Yamaha Marine, who is a global leader offering propellants for boats.
Yamaha Marine’s first model was launched in 1960 and since then they have continued to evolve to offer the latest generation engine with spectacular benefits without losing sight of durability.
Again on the ground you also have to forget the ATV and Side-by-side range with some historical models of the brand such as the Grizzly and the Kodiak, designed to face the most demanding works with solvency without giving up comfort. Likewise, Yamaha Motor has opted in recent times for Ebike with different models for different needs.
Finally, a last curiosity that you probably do not know if you do not practice golf and that in this 2025 the division of golf cars turns 50 with models that have filled the fields both in their electrical and gasoline versions.
In summary, we can say that all this is the past, the present and at the same time the future of Yamaha Motor that continues to work to innovate, to stay at the forefront and for offering new solutions to the new transport needs that exist today.
