Argentina: Yamaha begins production at new motorcycle plant
Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. announced that Yamaha Motor Argentina’s new motorcycle manufacturing plant — which has been under construction since August 2013 in General Rodríguez, located in the urban area of Buenos Aires — has been completed. The opening ceremony of the new plant was held on July 15 with the attendance of representatives including Yamaha Motor’s President and Representative Director Hiroyuki Yanagi and the President of YMARG, Pablo Hlebszevitsch.
The new plant, which is now in operation, was built for the purpose of expanding sales in the Argentine motorcycle market, and is located approximately 20km west from the old plant. On a site of approximately 100,000 square meters, the new plant has a floor space of 16,520 sqaure meters. At the time of launch, the new plant will employ approximately 300 personnel, and will run at an annual production capacity of 150,000 units.
Production of six models that are sold in Argentina — Crypton, YBR125, XTZ125E, FZ16, YBR250, and XTZ250 — are to be transferred from the old factory.
Due to restrictions on imports of completed motorcycles in Argentina since 2012, manufacturers have been increasing their local production. The overall motorcycle demand in 2014 is expected to drop from the previous year due to the effect of the devaluation of the Argentinian Peso in late January. However, because the market has a history of steady growth thanks to the country’s economic growth and increase of its younger generation, the demand is expected to increase long-term.
