Yamaha Suffers Through Rough 1st Quarter
http://z.about.com/d/motorcycles/1/0/2/L/-/-/YamahaLogo.jpg We've reported on Harley not being the only manufacturer that's suffering, and Yamaha's first quarter results reflect more of the same unfortunate, industrywide news.
Net income for the Japanese manufacturer dropped 22.2 billion yen (or $213 million) during the first quarter of 2008 according to Bloomberg, a whopping 12% decline. The Bloomberg report quotes a senior analyst who reiterates a theme that has plagued the motorcycle industry as of late: "Demand in the U.S. for the company's products, particularly the leisure-oriented ones, are slumping."
Unlike Harley, whose 2008 lineup is heavy (no pun intended) on touring and cruising bikes, the '08 Yamaha lineup is diversfied with everything from supermotos to sportbikes to scooters.