Japanese two-wheeler maker Yamaha Motor Co Ltd is scaling up research and development operations in India, with an aim to designing the lowest cost motorcycle and shoring up volumes in the fast-growing domestic market.
“Until this year, basic development of products was being done by Yamaha at our headquarters in Japan. We have an R&D centre to make minor changes on models in India. In future, our R&D team should be independent and capable of developing a new motorcycle in the commuter segment,” said Hiroyuki Suzuki, chief executive officer and managing director of India Yamaha Motor. The new low-cost bike will be manufactured at Chennai and exported to markets in Africa in addition to being sold in India.
What this means
Yamaha joins a bevy of foreign companies leveraging India as a springboard for emerging countries worldwide. Hyundai of Korea makes cars in India for sale into Eastern Europe and Africa. Honda is making a low cost motorcyle in India, the $900 110 cc ‘Dream Yuga. Ford launched a new car model, the Figo in India as the first place for a worldwide series.
Last updated: December 26th, 2025
